Falconer

Hospitaliti; Thomastown; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Staff Meals on Duty

Uniform Provided

Health Club access

Job summary

Mount Juliet Estate, a Marriott Autograph Collection five-star luxury estate, is seeking an experienced Falconer to care for and manage its birds of prey and deliver memorable guest experiences.

In this role you will maintain high animal welfare standards, train birds, and provide engaging demonstrations that educate guests about falconry and wildlife within the estate's 500-acre setting.

Qualifications

• Proven professional experience as a Falconer with birds of prey.
• Excellent communication skills and commitment to animal welfare.
• Ability to deliver engaging guest experiences and educational demonstrations.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care, welfare and management of the Estate's birds of prey.
• Develop training and conditioning programs for each bird and keep records.
• Deliver falconry experiences for guests and adapt for different ages and abilities.
• Ensure safety, compliance with legislation and high standards of welfare.

Skills

Falconry experience

Animal welfare

Guest communication

Record keeping

Driving licence

Independent working

Education

Falconry qualifications

Memberships in falconry organisations

Job description

Mount Juliet Estate is hiring through Hosco in Thomastown.Mount Juliet Estate, a Marriott Autograph Collection, is a 5* Resort set within 500 acres of historic Irish countryside. From the elegant Georgian Manor House to the contemporary sophistication of Hunter's Yard, the Estate offers a unique blend of heritage, luxury and exceptional experiences. Proudly certified as a Fáilte Ireland Outstanding Employer, we invite you to become part of our ever-evolving story.We are currently recruiting an exceptional Falconer to join our team and deliver one of Mount Juliet Estate's most unique guest experiences.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and passionate Falconer to care for, manage and work with our birds of prey while creating engaging, educational and memorable experiences for our guests. The successful candidate will bring strong falconry expertise, a genuine commitment to animal welfare and excellent communication skills. They will be responsible for the daily care, training and management of the Estate's birds of prey, while delivering experiences that reflect the exceptional standards of our 5* luxury estate. This role would suit an individual with a passion for birds of prey, conservation and the natural environment, who takes pride in creating truly remarkable guest experiences.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The Falconer at Mount Juliet Estate is responsible for the professional care, welfare, management and training of the Estate's birds of prey, while delivering exceptional falconry experiences for our guests. The role combines specialist falconry expertise with luxury hospitality, requiring the successful candidate to maintain the highest standards of animal welfare while providing informative, engaging and memorable experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds. Working within the Estate's unique 500-acre environment, the Falconer will contribute to the development of the falconry offering, ensuring that each experience reflects Mount Juliet's commitment to excellence, education, conservation and exceptional guest service.

Key Responsibilities:

Falconry & Bird Welfare

• Take full responsibility for the daily care, welfare and management of the Estate's birds of prey.
• Maintain the highest standards of husbandry, nutrition, hygiene, fitness and general wellbeing for all birds.
• Carry out regular health and welfare checks and maintain accurate records for each bird.
• Ensure birds are appropriately housed, handled, transported and exercised in accordance with best practice.
• Maintain and inspect mews, aviaries, equipment and associated facilities to ensure they remain safe, clean and fit for purpose.
• Develop and maintain appropriate training and conditioning programmes for each bird.
• Monitor the behaviour, fitness and condition of the birds and respond appropriately to any changes.
• Ensure all falconry activities are carried out safely, responsibly and in accordance with relevant legislation and professional standards.
• Maintain appropriate documentation, licences, records and welfare procedures relating to the birds.

Guest Experience & Falconry Activities

• Deliver exceptional and engaging falconry experiences for Mount Juliet guests.
• Provide educational demonstrations and experiences that showcase the behaviour, abilities and natural history of birds of prey.
• Handle and fly birds confidently and professionally during guest experiences.
• Adapt experiences appropriately for different guest groups, ages, abilities and levels of knowledge.
• Create memorable, personalised experiences that reflect the luxury positioning of Mount Juliet Estate.
• Communicate confidently with guests, providing interesting and accessible information about falconry, wildlife, conservation and the Estate's natural environment.
• Ensure all guest interactions are conducted with professionalism, enthusiasm and a strong focus on safety.
• Support private events, VIP experiences, weddings, corporate activities and bespoke guest requests where appropriate.
• Respond positively to guest feedback and continuously identify opportunities to enhance the falconry experience.

Animal Welfare, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain animal welfare as the highest priority across all falconry activities.
• Ensure all handling and flying practices meet appropriate professional and welfare standards.
• Carry out comprehensive risk assessments for falconry activities and ensure appropriate safety procedures are followed.
• Ensure guests receive clear safety briefings and appropriate instruction before participating in activities.
• Maintain accurate records relating to bird health, feeding, training, flying and welfare.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Irish legislation, licensing requirements and Mount Juliet Estate policies and procedures.
• Work closely with management to ensure the continued development of best-practice welfare and safety standards.

Estate & Environmental Stewardship

• Work closely with the wider Estate team to make the most of Mount Juliet's unique natural environment.
• Support initiatives that promote conservation, biodiversity and awareness of the Estate's wildlife and countryside.
• Develop guests' understanding and appreciation of birds of prey and their role within the natural environment.
• Maintain a strong awareness of the Estate's grounds, wildlife, habitats and seasonal conditions.
• Represent Mount Juliet's commitment to responsible stewardship of its 500-acre estate.
• Support relevant educational, conservation and community initiatives where appropriate.

Operational Management

• Plan and organise daily falconry activities, ensuring the birds and equipment are fully prepared.
• Maintain appropriate stocks of food, veterinary supplies, equipment and other falconry requirements.
• Monitor equipment and arrange maintenance or replacement where necessary.
• Maintain accurate operational, welfare and activity records.
• Assist with the development of new falconry experiences and programmes.
• Work collaboratively with the wider Activities, Equestrian, Guest Experience and Operations teams.
• Ensure the falconry area and associated facilities are maintained to an exceptionally high standard.

Leadership & Professional Development

• Maintain a high level of professional knowledge and expertise in modern falconry and bird welfare.
• Keep up to date with developments in falconry, raptor management, conservation and animal welfare.
• Share knowledge and expertise with colleagues to enhance understanding of the Estate's birds and falconry offering.
• Support colleagues who interact with guests during falconry experiences.
• Contribute ideas and initiatives to continuously improve the Estate's activities and guest offering.

Brand & Standards

• Act as an ambassador for Mount Juliet Estate, representing the Estate with professionalism, enthusiasm and integrity.
• Ensure every falconry experience reflects the 5* standards and luxury positioning of Mount Juliet Estate.
• Deliver consistently warm, knowledgeable and engaging guest interactions.
• Ensure the falconry offering contributes to Mount Juliet's reputation for creating unique and remarkable experiences.
• Support promotional, media and photography opportunities involving the Estate's birds of prey as required.
• Maintain a professional appearance and presentation in line with Mount Juliet Estate standards.

What We're Looking For

• Proven professional experience as a Falconer, with strong practical experience working with birds of prey.
• Demonstrable knowledge of welfare, handling, training and flying.
• A genuine passion for birds of prey, wildlife, conservation and the natural environment.
• Excellent animal welfare awareness and a strong commitment to responsible falconry.
• Experience delivering falconry demonstrations or guest-facing experiences would be highly advantageous.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with luxury hotel guests.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, particularly in relation to animal care and record keeping.
• A calm, responsible and professional approach to working with birds and guests.
• Good understanding of health, safety and risk management.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with the wider Estate team.
• Flexibility to work weekends, public holidays and varying hours in line with guest demand and the needs of the birds.
• Relevant falconry qualifications, memberships or recognised professional training would be advantageous.
• A full driving licence would be advantageous.

Why Join Mount Juliet Estate?

At Mount Juliet Estate, we are committed to creating extraordinary experiences for both our guests and our associates. As part of Marriott International's Autograph Collection, you will have the opportunity to work within one of Ireland's most prestigious luxury hospitality destinations, surrounded by 500 acres of exceptional countryside. This is a rare opportunity to combine your passion for falconry and animal welfare with the world of luxury hospitality, creating experiences that guests will remember long after their stay.

Benefits Include:

• Competitive Salary
• Staff Meals on Duty
• Uniform Provided
• Complimentary Access to the Health Club
• Training & Continuous Professional Development
• International Marriott Hotel Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and passionate Falconer to develop their career within a 5* Luxury Estate where nature, heritage, conservation and exceptional guest experiences come together. If you are passionate about birds of prey and want to create truly remarkable experiences for our guests, we would love to hear from you. Experience in the hospitality industry is preferred. Please see the full vacancy for the benefits offered by Mount Juliet Estate.