Become an Animal Care Taker/Wildlife Educator with Little Ray's Nature Centers
Are you passionate about animals and conservation? Little Ray's is looking for a part time Animal Care Professional to work in our Nature Center.
- Are you the kind of person who is passionate about rescuing, caring for and educating the public about animals?
- Do you care about creating exceptional, personal experiences with co-workers and guests?
- Do you want to work in a fun and immersive environment where your contribution impacts the mission of our organization?
If so apply today, we will be scheduling interviews soon.
Position Summary
Duties include, but are not limited to, daily care and feeding of assigned animals in collection, maintenance of animal exhibits, behavioral observations, record keeping, animal enrichment and training, assisting veterinary staff. Public speaking, hosting private tours, encounters, and doing public presentations. Responsible for tare down, set up, and moving of exhibits. Occasionally assist with loading and unloading of trucks. This will be a very physically demanding job.
Who We Are
Little Ray’s Nature Center is the largest exotic animal rescue founded in Canada, with one of the most extensive and diverse animal education and outreach programs in North America. It also boasts an award winning live animal travelling museum exhibit program. Little Ray’s Nature Center is about inspiring action through hands on experiential education.
Your day to day
Essential Functions (including but not limited to)
- General husbandry and care of assigned animals, including preparing and distributing approved animal diets.
- Close observation of animal behaviors with a particular focus on appropriate appetite, mobility, and waste production to monitor health of animals; notification of appropriate animal care staff of any concerns.
- Animal restraint and handling techniques.
- Public speaking, engage with the Zoo guests at exhibits, keeper talks, training demonstrations, Host private tours, encounters and educational shows or presentations.
- Maintain detailed daily records on assigned animals.
- Strong knowledge of general animal collection and interact with guests on a daily basis.
- Adherence to area’s standard operating procedures (SOP).
- Knowledge of safety SOP, safety concerns, and reporting protocols.
- Knowledge of husbandry requirements, and the prevention of zoonotic diseases.
- Knowledge of basic nutrition requirements for assigned area(s).
- Assist registrar in area’s record keeping.
- Inspect, clean, and maintain both exhibit and off-exhibit areas.
- Propose and perform species-specific enrichment.
- Promote active guest engagement through interaction with guests during both formal and informal discussions, during events, and as otherwise assigned.
- Report animal illness, maintenance, safety, horticulture, or other needs to appropriate staff.
- Assist in animal procedures including, but not limited to, trans locations, veterinary procedures, and crating. Transporting animals and or other staff to and from various locations
- Respond to and assist supervisor in guiding the resolution of emergency situations within the Zoo.
- Maintain and promote a positive and productive working environment.
- Guide subordinate co-workers on intermediate procedures.
- Observe safety policies and procedures in regards to the use of zoo equipment, materials, and chemicals.
What are we looking for?
Qualifications and Experience
- High school diploma or general education degree (GED); AA degree or higher preferred.
- at least one year hands on experience working with exotic animals
- First-Aid Certification for specific areas.
- Knowledge of Word Processing software and Spreadsheet software.
- Must have good written and oral communication skills
- Public speaking experience preferred and ability to effectively participate in guest engagement activities.
- Must be self-motivated and goal-oriented.
- Must be able to maintain discretion with confidential information.
- Ability to appropriately apply animal training through the use of operant and classical conditioning.
- Thorough knowledge of zoonotic diseases and prevention.
- Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with members of all department, and to work effectively alone and in group setting.
- Ability to complete projects in a reasonable time frame, to the satisfaction of management.
- Deal courteously and tactfully with employees, peers, superiors, and the general public.
- Knowledge of occupational hazards and appropriate safety precautions.
- Must have the ability to follow specific instructions and also be comfortable self-directing.
- Must be flexible and have the ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment while maintaining a positive attitude with the public.
- Capacity to anticipate: ability to think ahead and plan.
- Capacity to change: ability to identify and correct operational problems quickly.
- Must be able to think logically and solve problems with minimal guidance.
Other Requirements
- Conducts all activities in alignment with our organizations standards and guidelines, all relevant laws and regulations, safety standards, and standards that ensure animal welfare.
- Possess visual, hearing and other sensory and cognitive capacity appropriate for animal care and general safety practices.
- Ability to use radio, telephone, and computer to communicate and follow written and verbal instructions.
- Must be able to work in a variety of physical positions, must be comfortable standing and being on your feet for entire shift. Also must be healthy and physically fit to complete any task at hand to include sitting, bending, standing, walking, and to engage in physical labor (climbing up and down ladders, raking, sweeping, shoveling, lifting and moving heavy equipment).
- Must be able to safely and effectively engage in heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds).
- Ability to work long hours and varying shifts, including nights and week-end, to support special events and the needs of the collection.
- Must have willingness to transport animals and/or other staff members to and from various locations.
- Must have flexible availability to be able to work outside of "regular" scheduled hours on to complete special tasks that may come up on occasion
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Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour
Expected hours: 24 per week
Schedule:
- 10 hour shift
- 8 hour shift
Experience:
- guest relations: 1 year (Preferred)
- Small Exotic Animal care: 1 year (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Shift availability:
Ability to Relocate:
- Syracuse, NY 13204: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person