Ambassador Animal Care Specialist

Audubon Nature Institute-posted 4 months ago
Full-time
New Orleans, LA
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Ambassador Animal Care Specialists (Specialist) are key members of the Learning & Engagement (L&E) team at Audubon Zoo and are responsible for the daily care and wellbeing of Audubon Zoo's Ambassador Animal collection. This includes daily animal care and observation, animal training and enrichment, monitoring animal health, and maintaining cleanliness of animal area. The Ambassador Animal collection includes a wide variety of species including reptiles, invertebrates, mammals, and birds. Ambassador Animal Care Specialists are also responsible for delivering daily guest facing programming and working collaboratively with the rest of the Zoo Engagement and Zoo Learning team to provide an outstanding guest experience. Under the guidance of the Ambassador Animal Program Manager and Supervisor, specialists are responsible for participating in and supporting daily behavioral management for the animals in their care to ensure a high level of welfare for the animals as well as support engaging and innovative programming. Success in this role requires excellent large-group public speaking skills, the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in an accessible way to diverse audiences, and experience working closely with children and families. We're seeking passionate individuals with a talent for communication, a love for animals, and the creativity to make every interaction memorable, inspiring, and impactful.

  • Providing excellent daily care and welfare to a collection of Ambassador Animals that provide unique engagement opportunities for our guests and program participants.
  • Maintaining the health and wellbeing of all ambassador animals through daily observation, active communication with the animal health team, and assistance with medical procedures and treatments as needed.
  • Maintaining all necessary daily records and communications for the collection to adhere to best practices and to meet all required standards and regulations.
  • Delivering and maintaining a robust enrichment and behavioral management plan for all animals in the collection including operant conditioning training and environmental enrichment.
  • Delivering daily opportunities for guests to engage with our ambassador animals through informal and formal chats and demonstrations, animal encounters and more.
  • Working collaboratively with other members of the L&E team as well as the Animal Care team to ensure consistent and excellent guest experience.
  • Maintaining both front of house and back of house spaces to be organized/camera ready.
  • Providing proactive, friendly communication and striving to anticipate guests' needs and desires.
  • Working collaboratively with front of house departments (Animal Staff, Guest Services, Facilities, etc.) to identify opportunities to improve guest experience.
  • Communicating issues or concerns to the Ambassador Animal Program Manager or Supervisor in a timely manner.
  • Bachelor's degree in Education, Biology, Zoology, Communications, Ecology, Environmental Education or other related field and/or equivalent work experience.
  • 6 months working experience in animal care, ambassador animal experience preferred.
  • 6 months working in an informal learning environment and demonstrated experience working in animal presentation preferred.
  • Must be able to work holidays, weekends and occasional after hour events to support special programming.
  • Experience handling animals or ability to learn to handle animals that may include reptiles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates.
  • Demonstrated experience in effective communications with youth and adults from diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines for a wide range of projects.
  • Exemplary presentation and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
  • 1-3 years working experience in animal care, ambassador animal experience preferred.
  • 1-3 years working in an informal learning environment and demonstrated experience working in animal presentation preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience with operant conditioning training and enrichment.
  • Experience in an AZA institution and familiarity with AZA standards.
  • Experience with free flight training and programming.
  • Experience working with or overseeing volunteers.
  • Extensive knowledge of wildlife conservation.
  • Certified Interpretive Guide certification or equivalent credential.
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