Crane Intern

Position Title: 8-month Crane Intern 

Department: Animal     

Reports To: Assistant Curator 

Location: Freeport-McMoran Audubon Species Survival Center  

Position Type: Full-time, Temporary, hourly 

Who We Are  

Audubon Nature Institute comprises Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and Audubon Wilderness Park 

At Audubon Nature Institute, we are more than a collection of parks, museums, and conservation centers—we are a dedicated team with a shared mission to celebrate, protect, and connect people to the wonders of nature. Our work is guided by our culture code, which is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in Activating Impact by integrating tangible, real-world outcomes into all our initiatives, fostering a culture where every action contributes to a positive environmental impact. We are committed to Empowering Optimism, using positivity to inspire others to act and believe in their capacity to create meaningful change. We strive to Create Connection by engaging with people from all walks of life, knowing that the collective strength of a diverse community can address the most pressing challenges facing our natural world. At Audubon, we embody the spirit of Le Bon Temps, infusing the joy and vibrant culture of Louisiana into our everyday work, celebrating our unique heritage while advancing our mission. As Leaders of the Pack, we constantly seek smarter, innovative solutions, challenging conventions to drive the change we want to see in the world. 

About the Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center:  

The Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center (FMASSC) is one of nine facilities run by the Audubon Nature Institute. It is a unique piece of property that expands approximately 1,000 acres in an area just south of the city of New Orleans. The FMASSC facility is not open to the general public and is dedicated to the population sustainability and conservation of hoofstock and bird species. The goal is to manage herds of hoofstock or flocks of birds in large, naturalistic enclosures, to encourage breeding and the expression of natural behaviors. 

What You’ll Do  

Reporting directly to the Assistant Curator, this Crane Internship position will focus on our bird collection that mostly involves the endangered whooping crane and Mississippi sandhill crane recovery programs. This is an 8-month long, grant funded position (March- Nov) that offers a hourly compensation and optional onsite housing.  The crane programs work closely with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to help reintroduce these species back into their former ranges. In addition to animal care and daily management of the 16-acre crane recovery facility, interns will also get experience with saddle-billed storks and blue-billed curassows.  This position is a learning opportunity that encompasses the entire crane rearing process from hatching to release into the wild. 

Internships at Audubon Nature Institute under the Fair Labor Standards Act, United States Department of Labor 

By applying for this Internship position, all applicants acknowledge that they understand the following: 

1. This is an internship position. This position offers optional housing and a small hourly compensation to offset living costs during the duration of the Internship. It does not include health benefits.  

2. This internship is set within an educational environment, in which the intern will receive hand-on training provided by an area expert.  

3. Interns may use this internship for formal educational program requirements or coursework, providing the internship meets the expectations of the intern’s formal secondary education program. Interns are responsible for communicating with Audubon supervisors and their academic professors on requirements needed for academic credit.  

4. This internship falls within a limited time period, in which there is a beginning and an end. This position does not entitle an intern to paid employment at the conclusion of the internship. 

5. This internship provides significant educational benefits and practical experience to an intern, and does not displace the work of a paid employee.  

Day to Day Responsibilities  

Provide daily husbandry of the captive birds, under supervision of a bird keeper. 

Participate in egg handling and incubation practices. 

Participate in the "costume-rearing" of five to twenty-five crane chicks per year. 

Participate in providing successful breeding environments for the birds. 

Assist in maintaining records, including using ZIMS record software, and conduct behavioral observations. 

Assist veterinary and supervisory staff in treating animals as assigned. 

Prepare and follow prescribed diets and feeding procedures. 

Observe strict crane costume protocol, including not speaking for long periods of time. 

Work safely in costume with accompanying visual obstruction around small, mobile chicks. 

Basic horticultural maintenance (i.e. Mowing, weed eating, scything, pruning, tree trimming/cutting, enclosure landscaping 

General exhibit/enclosure maintenance, including pool and flight netting maintenance. 

With training and under supervision, be able to safely manage (including handling) tall, aggressive birds. 

Follow Audubon and local gov’t agency’s nuisance wildlife & pest protocols. 

Pleasantly receive and follow directions, follow protocols, and follow safety & security requirements. 

Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Audubon Nature Institute’s standards, as required by scheduling which may vary according to the needs of the organization. 

Attend all secondary assigned educational days offered to all Audubon interns. 

Additional/Overall Skills: 

Maintain a positive attitude and a strong sense of accountability, fostering a collaborative team environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute. 

Thrive in a team environment, using your organizational and technical skills to ensure the smooth execution of creative projects that resonate with our audience. 

Celebrate the successes of your team and bring enthusiasm to your work, reflecting the joyful culture that is at the heart of Audubon’s mission. 

Stay adaptable and open to learning new skills, embracing change and innovation as opportunities to lead and grow. 

The above listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned. 

What We’re Looking For 

Must Haves:  

High School diploma and preferably working towards/or completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biology (or related field)  

Be able to receive and follow direction well. 

Understanding of professional animal care and welfare standards.   

Ability to work independently and on a team. 

With training, be able to work around and make adjustments for large animals, small animals, aggressive species, and flighty species. 

Ability to learn and read animal behavior, especially birds. 

Must be able to communicate effectively, professionally, and with emotional maturity. 

Sincere interest in animal care, welfare, and conservation. 

Must possess basic arithmetic skills, including solving percentage questions and using conversions. 

Ability to anticipate, identify, prevent, and solve problems. 

Must have good common sense, the ability to think constructively, and able to take constructive criticism and direction. 

Possess a good attitude and able to produce quality work in fast paced, high pressure situations. 

Proficient in basic computer processing. 

Updated Tetanus vaccination. 

Proof of a negative TB test in the last 12 months. 

Possess a valid driver’s license.  

Must pass a background check and drug test.  

Must be able to write accurately and professionally 

Nice-to-Haves:  

A proven interest and knowledge in birds.  Prior experience in avian captive breeding ideal, but not necessary. 

Experience using power tools and small equipment, such as weed-trimmers, lawn mowers, etc. 

Experience at AZA accredited public facility. 

Prior experience with Species360 ZIMS software ideal, but not required. 

Physical Requirements:  

Continuous standing, walking, lifting, bending, and twisting. 

Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry objects weighing over 50 pounds, often repeatedly. 

Regularly climbing ladders and operating small tools. 

Sustained manual dexterity and coordination. 

Physical stamina for long shifts involving repetitive or strenuous tasks. 

Primarily outdoor environments or industrial settings. 

Frequent exposure to heat, cold, dust, fumes, or loud noises. 

Exposure to potential hazards such as heavy machinery, moving vehicles, or electrical equipment. 

Compensation & Perks 

$7.25/hr compensation (this is a grant funded position) 

Optional free onsite housing, based on availability 

Free visitation to other Audubon Nature Institute facilities.   

College course credit when applicable.  

Salary : $7