Part-Time Wildlife Education Specialist

Lake Metroparks; Kirtland (OH); On-site; USD 18,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Lake Metroparks in Kirtland, OH seeks a Part-Time Wildlife Education Specialist to support wildlife education, conservation awareness, and animal ambassador care at Penitentiary Glen Reservation. You will develop and deliver educational programs, create interpretive resources, and assist with daily care, handling, and welfare of animal ambassadors.

The position is up to 28 hours per week with a flexible schedule that may include weekdays, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, zoology, natural sciences, environmental education, interpretation, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.
• One to two years of wildlife care, animal handling, environmental education, or related public programming experience preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable under the Park District's liability policy.
• Successful completion of pre-employment drug screen and background check required.
• Must be available for a variable schedule including weekdays, evenings, weekends, and holidays; outdoor work in changing weather.

Responsibilities

• Delivers prepared and original wildlife education programs for school, community, and public audiences.
• Provides daily care for animal ambassadors including feeding, enrichment, and observation.
• Safely handles animal ambassadors for educational programs following training protocols.
• Develops and updates curricula, interpretive displays, and visitor resources.
• Supports special events, outreach activities, and on-site/off-site programs.
• Maintains accurate animal care and program records.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Curriculum development

Observation of animal condition

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, zoology, natural sciences, environmental education, interpretation, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Email / web-based applications

Audiovisual equipment operation

Job description

Part-Time Wildlife Education Specialist

Lake Metroparks Kirtland, Ohio, United States

About this position

Part-Time Wildlife Education Specialist

Wildlife Education Specialist Part-Time (Non-Exempt) Rate: $13.00 starting hourly rate to $16.00 max hourly rate Pay Grade: [PT] | Starting salary based on prior experience and education. Location: Penitentiary Glen Reservation, Kirtland, OH 44094 Position Summary: Lake Metroparks is seeking a Wildlife Education Specialist (Part‑Time) to support wildlife education, conservation awareness, and animal ambassador care at Penitentiary Glen Reservation. The Wildlife Education Specialist develops and delivers educational programs, creates interpretive and visitor resources, and assists with the daily care, handling, enrichment, and welfare of animal ambassadors. This position works up to 28 hours per week and requires a flexible schedule that may include weekdays, evenings, weekends, and holiday.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education and/or Experience:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, zoology, natural sciences, environmental education, interpretation, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.
• One to two years of experience in wildlife care, animal handling, environmental education, interpretation, public programming, or a related field preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable under the Park District's liability policy.
• Successful completion of a pre‑employment drug screen and background check is required.
• Must be available to work a variable schedule, including weekdays, weekends, evenings, and holidays, and to work outdoors in changing weather conditions.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to safely operate Park District vehicles and job‑related equipment and remain insurable under the Park District's liability policy.
• Must be able to work independently and cooperatively with employees, volunteers, and community partners.

Required Training: All Park District employees must complete and maintain required training, which may include safety, fraud prevention, ethics, prevention of sexual harassment, animal care and handling, and other position‑specific training.

• Must be willing to obtain pre‑exposure rabies vaccination.
• Must have proof of a recent tetanus vaccination or the ability to obtain one within a timeframe agreed upon with the manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Delivers prepared and original school, community, and public programs focused on wildlife, conservation, and responsible environmental stewardship.
• Provides daily care for animal ambassadors, including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, observation, recordkeeping, and support for approved training and handling practices.
• Safely handles animal ambassadors for educational programs and demonstrations in accordance with established protocols and training.
• Researches, evaluates, edits, and develops curricula, interpretive programs, displays, signs, brochures, and other educational resources for varied audiences and learning needs.
• Supports special events, public demonstrations, outreach activities, and visitor engagement at assigned Lake Metroparks facilities and off‑site program locations.
• Maintains accurate program, animal‑care, supply, and incident records as assigned.
• Follows all applicable safety procedures, reports hazards or incidents promptly, and supports a safe environment for participants, visitors, volunteers, and staff.
• Performs other duties related to the position as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory duties.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty satisfactorily. Lake Metroparks welcomes qualified applicants and employees who may experience barriers to employment and provides reasonable accommodations for disability‑related and other access needs in accordance with applicable law.

COMPUTER EXPERTISE REQUIRED / EQUIPMENT OPERATED:

• Ability to use email, web‑based applications, social media tools used for public communication, and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to safely use small hand tools, step ladders, animal‑care equipment, audiovisual equipment, and Park District vehicles after required training.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The following knowledge, skills, and abilities are necessary to perform the essential functions of the position effectively, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Ohio wildlife, ecology, conservation, and natural history appropriate to public education programs.
• Knowledge of humane animal care, welfare, enrichment, handling, sanitation, and biosecurity practices.
• Knowledge of educational interpretation, curriculum development, and inclusive methods for serving participants with varied backgrounds, abilities, and learning needs.
• Knowledge of basic workplace safety, incident reporting, and risk‑reduction practices relevant to animal care and public programming.

Skills:

• Clear and respectful verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication.
• Public speaking and facilitation for participants with varied levels of knowledge and experience.
• Development and delivery of accurate, accessible, and engaging educational content.
• Organization, time management, documentation, and prioritization of multiple assignments.
• Observation and communication of changes in animal condition or behavior in accordance with established procedures.

Abilities:

• Ability to establish respectful working relationships with participants, visitors, volunteers, coworkers, and community partners.
• Ability to handle and present live animals safely and responsibly after required training.
• Ability to adapt programs and communication methods to support varied audiences and access needs.
• Ability to identify problems, gather relevant information, follow established procedures, and seek guidance when needed.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while responding appropriately to changing program, visitor, and animal‑care needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands below describe the activities commonly required to perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals, including employees who experience disabilities or other barriers to employment, as required by applicable law. This position alternates among standing, walking, and sitting and requires frequent use of the hands and arms to prepare program materials, care for and handle animals, and use job‑related tools and equipment. Duties may require bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, climbing a step ladder, moving across uneven indoor and outdoor surfaces, and transporting animals, supplies, or equipment. The employee regularly moves items weighing up to 25 pounds and occasionally moves items weighing up to 50 pounds, with assistance or material‑handling equipment when appropriate. The position also requires the ability to observe animals, participants, surroundings, and safety conditions and to exchange information effectively. Essential duties may be performed with reasonable accommodation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in animal‑care areas, classrooms, offices, public facilities, Park District vehicles, and outdoor program locations. Conditions may include heat, cold, humidity, precipitation, noise, odors, allergens, cleaning and disinfecting products, uneven or slippery surfaces, and direct contact with live animals. The schedule may vary based on program and animal‑care needs and may include weekdays, weekends, evenings, and holidays. Employees must use required personal protective equipment, follow established animal‑care and safety procedures, and wear the designated Park District uniform when assigned.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS Potential hazards include bites, scratches, sudden animal movement, exposure to zoonotic disease, allergens, animal waste, cleaning and disinfecting products, hand tools, ladders, vehicle travel, inclement weather, and uneven or slippery surfaces. Risk is reduced through required training, vaccination or immunization practices when applicable, use of personal protective equipment, safe animal‑handling and sanitation procedures, prompt reporting of hazards and incidents, and adherence to Park District policies.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS The employee must demonstrate commitment and sensitivity to the needs of Lake Metroparks and its constituents, support the mission of the Park District, maintain professional conduct, comply with applicable policies and procedures, and provide respectful service to participants, visitors, volunteers, coworkers, and community partners.

BENEFITS

Lake Metroparks offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package for full‑time employees, including:

• OPERS membership (Ohio Public Employees Retirement System)
• Paid leave policies after 3