Job Title: Animal Care/Education and Outreach Specialist
Reports To: Director of Animal Care
Classification: Part-time, hourly, non-exempt
Schedule: Up to 25 hours per week. Based at Kaleideum’s location, at 120 West Third st. Must work a schedule that includes days, evenings, weekends, and holidays in favorable and inclement weather.
This position is currently a weekend position Thursday-Sunday. Daily hours are flexible.
Compensation: $11.00/hour - $13/hour based on experience
Position Overview:
The Animal Care Specialist is responsible for the feeding, watering, cleaning, health and safety of all living animals in Kaleideum’s collection. Experience with exotic animals is required. This is a public-facing position, so the successful applicant should be comfortable speaking to the public about the animals. The successful candidate will collaborate with peers and his or her team to ensure the wellness of animals in our care and to design and deliver innovative animal programs that are exciting, and interactive.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for ensuring the daily feeding, watering, cleaning, health and safety of all Kaleideum animals.
- Responsible for the thorough cleaning and maintenance of all animal enclosures and aquaria.
- Supports Kaleideum’s participation and compliance with USDA, USFW, and NCWRC and other accreditation standards and programs
- Facilitate guests’ experience in Museum exhibits by serving as a role model for adult visitors and staff to encourage open-ended, child-directed play and by gauging visitors’ needs/abilities and responding accordingly.
- Collaborate with the Director of Animal Care and the Sr. Director of Engagement to develop animal-related engagement opportunities.
- Monitor the orderly operation of animal care areas including ensuring that Museum rules, safety standards, and sanitation requirements are followed and routinely walking through the exhibits.
- Work with Outreach Coordinator to attend outreach programs at community events and festivals that require animals.
- During any emergency situations, respond to and facilitate procedures in a calm and comforting manner.
- Understand and stay current with animal care and handling best practices.
- Keep management informed of all schedule changes and adhere to staff policies.
- Collaborate with the engagement staff to provide engagement on the floor for visitors about the animals.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- A personal commitment to fostering a multicultural, diverse organization
- Ability to communicate with Museum visitors, teachers, parents/caregivers, program donors, and community members in a courteous and professional manner.
- Comfortable facilitating experiences and delivering content with large and small audiences of children and adults of all ages.
- Reliable with excellent organizational and time management skills, ability to multi-task, and prioritize work flow.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic, ever-changing, noisy work environment.
Qualifications:
- 1+ years experience in animal care not limited to dogs and cats. Exotic animal or veterinary experience preferred.
- Experience or willingness to learn caretaking of birds, reptiles, snakes and various insects.
- Zoo Science certification preferred
- Valid NC driver’s license
- Physical fitness and agility required to maintain animal habitats
- Ability to speak Spanish preferable, but not required.
Kaleideum is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best qualified personnel for all our positions in a manner that does not unlawfully discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran/reserve national guard status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
To apply, please submit a museum application and resume to [email protected]
Pay: $11.00 - $13.00 per hour
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- Do you have any experience with exotic animals?
Work Location: In person
