Animal Care Specialist

Joliet Park District•Joliet, IL

1d•$15

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Nature Center Manager, the Animal Care Specialist is directly responsible for the daily care and feeding of all animals and fish at the Nature Center. The nature center has a variety of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, fish, etc. Typical animal husbandry duties are expected to be performed.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) required
Must have some experience with animal husbandry- general care of animal habitats and feeding.
Must have an appreciation for the idea of children learning through nature and animals as there will be interaction with the general public while performing duties.
Customer service skills
Must be prompt, responsible, friendly, works well with other staff, general public including adults and children of all ages.
CPR and AED certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire

Nice To Haves

Experience with exotic animal species is a plus.
Spanish speaker is a plus.

Responsibilities

Maintain and clean all cages and aquariums on a daily basis, with deep cleaning as needed.
Perform necessary back flushing and maintenance on the large filters for the aquariums.
Feed and care for all animals.
Keep a daily journal of cleaning and care that was performed and noting behavioral changes in animals.
Purchase food and equipment for all animal care needs.
Train on proper animal handling techniques for each animal species.
Interact with animals as needed and provide well-rounded exercise, behavioral enrichment, and care.
Bathe, weigh, trim claws, and perform other cleanliness duties.
Keep all animal displays neat and tidy for public viewing.
Schedule and attend veterinary visits as needed.
Install new animal displays when available.