Live Animal Assistant

Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University; Mantua Township (NJ); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a vibrant and purpose-driven organization as a Live Animal Assistant at a world-class museum. This full-time role involves hands-on animal care, guest education, and teamwork to create memorable experiences. You will work closely with the Critter Cove Manager to ensure the well-being of diverse animals while engaging visitors through educational programs. This position offers the chance to make a significant impact on both animal care and community involvement, all within a stunning natural setting. If you are passionate about animal care and education, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or related field preferred.
• 3+ years experience in animal care settings like zoos or aquariums.

Responsibilities

• Assist with animal care, monitoring saltwater parameters, and habitat setup.
• Ensure a positive guest experience through educational sessions.

Skills

Animal care

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Knowledge of aquatics

Flexibility

Ability to lift 50 pounds

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field

3 years of experience with animals

Job description

Position Overview: This is an opportunity to grow with a young, vibrant, and purpose-driven world-class organization. The Live Animal Assistant will be an integral part of our Critter Cove team, working closely with the Critter Cove Manager (Veterinarian) to ensure the well-being and positive presentation of our live animal exhibits. This role blends hands-on animal care with guest education, creating a memorable experience for all visitors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Animal Care & Husbandry:
  • Aquatic Care: Assist with monitoring saltwater parameters and help manage saltwater life support systems and tank environments for corals and other marine animals.
  • Assist the Critter Cove Manager with routine animal husbandry tasks including feeding, exhibit cleaning, enrichment, and attending to the daily needs of a diverse range of animals.
  • Support the Critter Cove Manager during routine animal medical care and examinations, ensuring animal health and safety.
• Acquisition & Quarantine:
  • Play a role in animal acquisition processes, quarantine protocols, and habitat setup, ensuring a safe transition for new additions to Critter Cove.
• Training & Socialization:
  • Work on the training and socialization of animals, promoting their well-being and ensuring a positive exhibit experience for our guests.
• Record Keeping:
  • Maintain organized and meticulous animal care records, adhering to all state and federal regulatory guidelines.
• Volunteer Program:
  • Assist in development and coordination of the Critter Cove volunteer program, fostering community involvement.
• Guest Experience:
  • Ensure guests to Critter Cove have an educational and engaging experience. Assist in developing and leading live animal educational sessions.
  • Act as the trusted MOD for Critter Cove when the Manager is off grounds.
• Inventory & Supplies:
  • Assist with tracking inventory and order necessary supplies, ensuring the continuous smooth operation of Critter Cove.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, ecology, animal science, or a related field OR minimum of three (3) years of experience working with animals in settings such as zoos, aquariums, or similar establishments.
• Knowledge or experience with aquatics and saltwater tanks is advantageous.
• Familiarity and comfort working with species including reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, invertebrates, and aquatic creatures.
• Ability to work with a flexible schedule that includes on-call duties, weekends, and evenings.
• A positive, enthusiastic attitude, with a passion for animal care and education.
• Must be outgoing with exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to the museum’s ethos of pushing back on the climate and biodiversity crises, and to our belief that education is the pathway forward to a better world.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Work Setting:

• Museum headquarters is in the lower level of the stunning new Edelman Fossil Park Museum. The headquarters suite features a reception area, private offices, a large open office area, three conference rooms, a kitchenette, team lounge, and outdoor patio, situated by a 4-acre lake.
• This is a full-time position with G&A Museum Operation, LLC, based at the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, in Mantua Township, NJ.
• The role may require occasional evening or weekend work for special events or meetings.
• The role will require occasional work outdoors.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay Range: $50,000-$55,000

Start Date: ASAP

About Leadership: Dr. Kenneth Lacovara, Founding Executive Director, has unearthed some of the largest dinosaurs ever to walk the earth. His research has been featured in Discover magazine’s 100 Top Science Stories of the Year, and he has appeared in over 20 television documentaries.

About the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum: The museum will transform lives by providing a unique opportunity to explore a remarkable site of scientific wonder.

Globally Important Research: At the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, visitors travel back in time to when dinosaurs ruled New Jersey.

A Rich Heritage: New Jersey boasts a rich heritage of fossil discovery.

The Thrill of Discovery: Hands-on, authentic discovery is at the core of the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park public experience.

Sustainability: The core concept behind the museum is that we must learn from Earth’s deep past to guide our way into the future.

Carbon Net-Zero and Sustainable Construction: The museum will be an all-electric building, deriving its energy from photovoltaics and geothermal heating and cooling.

At Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, we treasure the diversity of our planet's history and are committed to reflecting that diversity in our team.