Want to make a real impact in raptor conservation?

At the International Raptor & Falconry Center, every volunteer plays a vital role in the mission in making the world a better place for raptors. Our volunteers prepare diets, help maintain enclosures, support live education programs, greet participants and even work toward advanced opportunities in bird care and public education.

Who We’re Looking For

IRFC is not looking for casual volunteers. We are looking for high-caliber individuals who are serious about falconry, raptor conservation, education and professional development.

This is not an environment for those looking to “meet the birds” or treat volunteering as a hobby. It is a working conservation organization that requires discipline, focus and accountability.

We are looking for individuals who:

Follow through on commitments without reminders
Take initiative and seek out ways to contribute
Are self-directed learners and naturally curious
Show up prepared, on time and ready to work
Value responsibility over recognition
Are willing to do difficult, repetitive and unglamorous work consistently

You do not need prior raptor experience; the right person can be trained.
What matters most is character, integrity, work ethic and mindset.

IRFC is in a stage of active growth, which means the individual who steps up, proves themselves, and is committed to building this into a career will have significant opportunity for advancement. There is no ceiling.

Apply now and become part of the Team!

Apply here!

What You Gain

Volunteering at IRFC is not simply “helping out” - it is an opportunity to gain access to knowledge, training and mentorship that cannot be found in any formal degree program.

Falconry, raptor handling, and professional raptor education are fields learned through direct mentorship and experience, not classrooms. At IRFC, you will be working alongside a Master Falconer and PhD scientist with over 20 years of experience, gaining insight into raptor behavior, care, training and conservation at a level far beyond typical volunteer roles.

This is a mutual exchange: your time, effort and reliability in return for exposure to a highly specialized field, real-world experience and the opportunity to develop skills that can lead to future roles in conservation, falconry and wildlife education.

Those who show dedication and initiative will gain access to deeper learning, increased responsibility and opportunities that are simply not available elsewhere.

Growth & Opportunity

All roles at IRFC begin as volunteer positions. However, IRFC has secured funding for a part-time paid position, which will be filled from within the volunteer pool.

This position will be offered to the individual who demonstrates strong potential early on as well as someone who shows reliability, discipline, initiative and the ability to work independently without constant direction. The right person may move into this role quickly once they prove themselves capable of meeting IRFC’s standards.

Training and mentorship are provided, but self-directed learning is required. Individuals are expected to actively seek out knowledge, study and improve on their own time without prompting.

Due to federal permitting requirements, individuals who are actively pursuing falconry and working toward becoming a falconer may be given priority, as this aligns with the pathway required to become a subpermittee under U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service regulations.

These opportunities are not given, they are earned through: