Animal Care Assistant

Website Irvine Nature Center

Animal Care Assistant

Irvine Nature Center

 

Irvine Nature Center, the largest independent nonprofit environmental education center in the greater Baltimore region, seeks an enthusiastic Animal Care Assistant to support the Animal Care manager and coordinator with the care of over 40 animal ambassadors. This position allows students or those looking for career-development the opportunity to get first-hand experience caring for and improving the lives of Irvine Nature Center’s ambassador animals, as well as help with the upkeep of Irvine’s seasonal butterfly waystation. This position is temporary, for one year.

 

Position Responsibilities:

·        Complete daily animal care tasks, including feeding animals and cleaning enclosures

·        Check exhibits and maintain lighting, heat lamps, and aquarium filters

·        Assist staff with live animal handling and occasional medical care

·        Engage ambassador animals with novel enrichment activities

·        Keep exhibit hall clean and presentable; help with aesthetic improvements when needed

·        During spring and summer months, assist with planting and care for the host and nectar plants in the butterfly house

·        Help care for the eggs, caterpillars, chrysalides, and butterflies of various native species

·        Educate guests who visit the exhibit hall and butterfly waystation

 

Qualifications:

·        A successful candidate will have a background in animal husbandry, with at least two years’ experience in animal care

·        Willing to get dirty and work outdoors in all weather (snow, heat, cold, rain)

·        Comfortable handling reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, mammals, and birds of prey

·        Work well with others and maintain a professional, friendly manner

·        Be able to take initiative and work alone frequently

·        Strong knowledge of natural history

·        Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills

·        Basic computer experience (i.e. Outlook, internet browser, etc.)

 

Salary: $15/hour, 25 hours/week for one year

 

To Apply: Please send cover letter and resume to the attention of Mallory Mlynarek, Irvine Nature Center, 11201 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117 or email HR@ExploreNature.org Please include in your cover letter how this position will benefit your future career goals.

 

Please note: Employment is contingent upon completing and passing a criminal background check

Irvine is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

 

To apply for this job email your details to office.manager@explorenature.org