Job Description
Title: Animal Care Associate - Mammals and Birds
Days: 36 hours per week each (4 days/week)
Salary: Range $18-$20/hr
Period: March 1, 2024 until October 31, 2024
Schedule: Must be able to work weekdays as well as Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
Position Summary: The Animal Care Associate (ACA) works in the Aquatheater Show area and the Sea Cliffs Exhibit's Marine Mammal and Penguin areas. This individual provides all elements of basic animal care including but not limited to food preparation, cleaning kitchen and animal areas, feeding the animals, and maintaining basic animal training behaviors.
The ACA also narrates shows in the Aquatheater show area, serving as the face of our formal sea lion shows in our 1600 seat stadium. In addition to narrating shows, the ACA will interpret exhibit feeds, which are partially scripted but also involve a free flowing, unscripted interaction with our guests.
Principle Duties/Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
•Provide educational, dynamic and enthusiastic narrations to small and large groups.
•Perform with and without sea lions and harbor seals in shows in the New York Aquarium's 1600 seat stadium, the Aquatheater. Animal handling is contingent on the individual's experience as well as their ability to receive and apply input.
•Participate in feeds and training sessions with California sea lions, harbor seals, and African penguins.
•Provide excellent interchanges with guests, by maintaining general knowledge of park attractions and amenities, answering questions and creating an excellent guest experience in accordance with the values and mission of the Wildlife Conservation and WCS standards of guest service
•Assist Grounds staff in directing and seating guests in the Aquatheater
•Maintain sound system equipment, stadium, stage and pool cleanliness
•Work outdoors for long periods of time in a variety of sometimes extreme weather conditions.
•Assist the Behavioral Husbandry and Sea Cliffs teams in carrying out any additional operational duties
Qualification Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
•College level studies in biology or a related field. A Bachelor degree preferred.
•At least 1 years' experience in a zoo/aquarium or other relevant animal care environment
•Must have a current, valid driver's license.
•Scuba Certification preferred.
•Must successfully pass a background check.
Qualifications:
•Be physically capable of carrying a minimum of 50lbs, walking on rocky naturalistic animal habitats, moving quickly from one area of the park to another, climbing stairs, and all other physical functions.
•Possess and maintain a positive attitude and professional demeanor.
•Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and adapt quickly to changing priorities and schedules
•Ability and versatility to work independently and as part of a team
•Possess exceptional communication and public speaking.
•Possess good animal observation skills.
•Capability to work with and direct interns and volunteers in a respectful manner.
•Possess basic swimming skills
•Must have worked in some capacity with domestic or wild animals or have done an internship at an animal facility.
•SCUBA certification and AAUS training a plus
EOE/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled
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