Facilities & Animal Care Specialist

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain • Burlington, VT

5d

About The Position

The Facilities & Animal Care Specialist is a unique position that serves in a split capacity within the Facilities & Animal Care department. This position will provide part-time, state of the industry animal care and husbandry for ECHO’s reptile/amphibian/fish collection that promotes optimal health and longevity. In addition, this position will provide part-time facilities and exhibit repair assistance and support custodial and facilities maintenance needs of our 36,000 square foot, LEED-certified aquarium and science center to ensure a positive visitor experience.
This role requires some previous experience in Facilities work and/or Animal Care - ideally, you'd have at least 6 months of each. A Bachelor's degree is helpful but not necessary. In order to be paid at the higher end of the stated range, you must have previous Facilities/Maintenance experience.
This is a split position - 50% Facilities, 50% Animal Care. The schedule for this role is Sunday - Wednesday, 7:30am - 5:30pm.

Requirements

• some previous experience in Facilities work and/or Animal Care - ideally, you'd have at least 6 months of each
• Regular weekend and some after-hours work required.

Nice To Haves

• A Bachelor's degree is helpful but not necessary.
• In order to be paid at the higher end of the stated range, you must have previous Facilities/Maintenance experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform observations of animals to determine health status and initiate or confer with other animal care staff to implement responsive care as needed.
• Perform observations of animal enclosures and all related life support equipment including but not limited to filtration systems, lighting, pumps, motors, aeration, etc. Implements or confer with other animal care staff regarding repairs in response to observed issues in animal enclosures or related equipment (as noted in previous bullet).
• Provides implementation of proper animal care including provision of designated diets and environmental conditions (lighting, temperatures, water quality, substrates, ‘furniture’, filtration).
• Implement veterinary care based on veterinary input or reference material recommendations; determine and administer by appropriate means, at correct concentrations and dosages. Monitor animals’ responses to treatments.
• Maintain equipment including life support systems, exhibits and all other equipment utilized in maintaining animal habitats and animal health.
• Perform water quality testing and implement measures to maintain optimal water quality in animal enclosures.
• Assist with specimen capture, collection and transportation, quarantine and introduction to displays or holding quarters.
• Provide thorough and accurate record-keeping on daily implementation of animal care, animal health, veterinary care, acquisitions and dispositions, and equipment status.
• Develop and deliver educational programs to ECHO guests and on various media networks regarding science, natural history, captive care, and environmental stewardship.
• Design, install and repair animal exhibit habitats.
• Custodial work: dusting, mopping, sweeping, scrubbing, window cleaning, trash removal, periodic deep cleaning, carpet extraction, power washing, etc. in a timely manner.
• Stocking cleaning/repair supplies.
• Installing, maintaining and repairing non-animal exhibits.
• Seasonal weed removal, mowing, raking, sweeping of exterior areas.
• Maintain and repair building mechanical system, HVAC, Plumbing and aquarium life support systems, etc.
• Maintain exterior areas including parking lot, walkways, planted areas and lawns, etc.
• Building mechanical and lighting controls software
• Interior and exterior building maintenance including but not limited to painting, flooring repair, light carpentry, light electrical, signage install and repair, etc.
• Interact with staff to coordinate building and exhibit repairs.
• Provide quality customer service while working in high volume guest environment.
• Assist in departmental budgeting, researching and purchasing of animal care and facilities supplies.
• Train volunteers and interns and other staff in provision of animal care.
• Assist with building mechanical software package (WebCTRL) and building lighting software package (Keeper Enterprise) to optimize system functions and minimize resource consumption.
• Other duties and special projects assigned as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level