Animal Care Technician

Kalamazoo Nature Center • Kalamazoo, MI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Kalamazoo Nature Center’s (KNC) animal ambassador programs’ primary goal is to ensure a high quality of life for all animals in our care as well as to provide the best animal experiences for members and visitors with animal safety and well-being at the forefront. The Animal Care Technician is a year-round, part-time position who works with the Animal Ambassador Manager to care for: reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals, and birds. This person’s responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized Animal Care Room and upkeep of enclosures for ambassador and feeder animals. There will be opportunities for animal training for program behaviors and cooperative care. Educational programming with ambassador animals is required as needed. This person may train, guide, and coordinate with volunteers and other staff working in this area. The position will run approximately 15-20 hours per week with weekend shifts and holidays as needed.

Requirements

• At least one year related experience required working with birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians, and/or small mammals or degree in a related field.
• Experience with positive reinforcement training and operant conditioning.
• Experience leading educational programs for all ages.
• Experience maintaining living and non-living exhibits.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to be insured under KNC’s automobile policy.
• Must pass pre-employment background check.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrate understanding of principles of wildlife and ambassador animal husbandry.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills as well as creativity.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative with animal care needs.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced / high-pressure moments.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Responsibilities

• Maintain all animal enclosures including: aquatic tanks, bioactive enclosures, mammal and bird enclosures, feeder invertebrate enclosures, and other animal spaces as they are added.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the Animal Care Room.
• Assist in developing new animal exhibits as needed with the Animal Ambassador Manager.
• Troubleshoot (with help from the Animal Ambassador Manager) non-functioning animal enclosure components.
• Perform daily visual health checks on all live animals.
• Provide appropriate training and direction to animal care volunteers and KNC staff on daily care and safe, empathy-driven animal programming.
• Animals will be handled and cared for according to the guidelines handed down by federal, state, and local regulations and as written in KNC’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Keep detailed records for daily care, enclosure maintenance, state and federal permits, and animal wellbeing.
• Research up-to-date animal care information regarding diets, enclosures, husbandry, training, and other best practices as new information is shared within the animal care community.
• Create, implement, and revise safe enrichment to all ambassador species to promote natural behaviors and positive well-being.
• Provide choice-based positive reinforcement training to ambassador animals for programming behaviors and cooperative care opportunities.
• Recall each animal’s individual story and species natural history.
• Understand and thoughtfully interpret animal ambassadors’ natural history, behavior, and conservation needs with empathy and evidence-based information at a level appropriate for the age group.
• Interact professionally with visitors of all ages and abilities to interpret KNC's Animal Ambassador Program.
• As needed, provide support to the Education Team by transporting, handling, and teaching with animal ambassadors during visitor programs.
• Assist other departments with programs, special events, special projects, etc. as necessary.
• Attend required events and meetings such as: Maple Sugar Festival, Quarterly All Staff Meetings, and All Staff Workdays.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and personal days)
• 7 paid holidays off
• Paid snow days off during severe weather
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for counseling and support services
• Simple IRA with a 3% match for retirement savings
• Additional KNC Specific benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree