Animal Team Member

Don Harrington Discovery Center; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Don Harrington Discovery Center seeks an Animal Care Team Member to join the Animal Team and provide exceptional care for animals across WBNC and DHDC. You will handle feedings, enrichment, and daily upkeep of diverse species, including aquaria and aviaries, while maintaining safety and compliance with care plans.

You will work in a fast-paced, public-facing environment, collaborating with the Animal Curator and Education Director to develop engaging programming and school group activities.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of and previous professional experience with animals and animal care required.
• Knowledge of aviaries and saltwater aquariums preferred.
• Ability to work flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care to animals and assist with enrichment activities.
• Maintain cleanliness of animal care lab and enclosures.
• Communicate needs and status of animals with the Animal Curator and Education Director.
• Follow animal care plans and feeding schedules as directed.
• Assist with education programming and public presentations.
• Care for and observe wildlife, reporting issues to staff.

Job description

Job Title: Animal Care Team Member

Reports to: Animal Curator

Hours: Part-Time, 10-20 hours per week

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Animal Care Team Member works with the Animal Team to provide exceptional animal care and unique animal programming for Discovery Center and Wildcat Bluff Nature Center guests. The candidate will have knowledge of animal care, including fresh and saltwater aquariums, reptiles, amphibians, insects, arachnids, birds, mammals, and others, as needed. Candidates must have demonstrated abilities in creativity, innovation, organization, and time management. They must be flexible to the changing needs of the animal collection and have the ability to work in a fast-paced and public-facing environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Discovery Center & Wildcat Bluff Animal Care

• Provide overall daily care to animals at WBNC & DHDC in conjunction with other Animal Care Team members. This includes feedings, maintaining the cleanliness of animals and enclosures, socializing animals, carrying out enrichment activities, and other relevant tasks as necessary and assigned.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and order of the animal care lab.
• Responsible for consistent communication with the Animal Curator, Animal Team Lead, Director of Education, and other staff as needed about the needs, status, and well-being of the animals.
• Follow animal care plans and feeding schedules as directed by Animal Curator or other staff members.
• Successfully and efficiently follow plans, schedules, and expectations laid out by the Animal Curator and the Director of Education. This includes animal science lab cleanliness and order, animal handling expectations, documentation requirements, communication expectations, and the implementation of animal care plans and schedules.
• Assist with maintaining supplies as needed for any animal needs at DHDC and WBNC.
• Assist with new animal education programming, including presenting to the public.
• Monitor animals for signs of illness, distress, needs, and unusual behavior. Communicate these concerns and actions taken in a timely manner with the Animal Curator and the Director of Education.
• Respond to emergency situations and natural disasters such as animal escapes, injuries, fires, etc., in accordance with established operating procedures and communicate with management.
• Regularly care for animals independently, particularly on weekends.

Daily Experience

• Animal care and operations duties on weekdays and weekends as needed, completing all duties as expected in a timely manner.
• Exhibit great customer service with all guests, both from the public and with scheduled groups.
• Responsible for the implementation of daily public education programs as needed.
• Assists with school field trips and Family Nature Days as needed.

Wildcat Bluff Education Programming & Daily Experience

• Work with Animal Curator to develop, enhance, and carry out programs and guided hikes for school groups and the public as needed.
• Maintain consistent communication with Animal Curator concerning WBNC education.
• Care for and learn about the wildlife in Wildcat Bluff. Communicate any issues, concerns, or unusual happenings with the Animal Curator and Education Director.
• Exhibit great customer service with all guests, both from the public and with scheduled groups.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of and previous professional experience with animals and animal care is required.
• Knowledge of and experience with aviaries and saltwater aquariums preferred.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Exceptional organization and time management skills.
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize projects and multi-task is a must!
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Outgoing and willing to work with large groups of people.
• Superior customer service skills.