Zoological Assistant

City of Palo Alto•Palo Alto, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Junior Museum & Zoo is looking for a Zoological Assistant - H to help care for its resident animals. The Junior Museum is a place where children and their caregivers come to explore, discover, create, play, and get curious about science and nature. Animals at the Museum & Zoo provide children with age-appropriate examples of interesting adaptations, habitats, or wildlife conservation programs. Special installations bring children nose-to-nose with some animals, while other elements encourage imaginative play, support whole body movement, and stimulate multiple senses. There are over 70 species and 400 specimens housed at the Zoo. Educational experiences at the Junior Museum include year-round classes, camps and field trip opportunities. The Zoological Assistant H is a part-time weekend position that serves as an assistant to the Zoo Curator and Animal Care Specialists who are responsible for excellence in all aspects of the care and welfare of the animal collection (70 species and 400 specimens) and associated landscape plants. The animal collection includes, but is not limited to, arthropods, freshwater fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The position will help provide for the daily care of the collection of exotic and domestic animals, including feeding, habitat cleaning, enrichment, and health monitoring and administration. This is an SEIU Hourly (limited-benefits) position that is budgeted to not exceed 1,000 hours per fiscal year. The number of hours per week and schedule will be determined based on assignment.

Requirements

Must receive immunizations to guard against zoonotic diseases

Nice To Haves

A degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position
Experience with animal training, maintenance of aquatic life support systems, and/or horticultural practices

Responsibilities

Actively works to engage each child’s curiosity about science and nature
Provides for the husbandry of animals, including cleaning and feeding of animals in a fashion that encourages naturalistic behaviors while enhancing the well-being of the animals through specific enrichment programs
Trains animals for the health management of the entire collection as well as regularly scheduled demonstrations
Supports the monitoring and maintenance of the established criteria for life support, including required temperature settings and water chemistry
Cleans and maintains the exhibits and associated landscape
Other duties as assigned