What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Animal Care Specialist, Animal Ambassadors position at Mississippi Aquarium?
Position Title: Associate Animal Care Specialist, Animal Ambassadors
Department: Animal Care
Classification: Full - Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt
Reports To: Curator of Birds and Ambassador Animals
Compensation: Starting at $14.00 hourly
Closing Date: January 31, 2024
Position Summary:
Mississippi Aquarium is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our Bird and Ambassador Animal Team. This team is responsible for the care of a diverse collection, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The position involves working with animals such as birds in a free-flight aviary, African Penguins, Macaws, Conures, Turacos, Two-toed Sloths, American Beavers, Three-banded Armadillos, alligators, various turtles, snakes, frogs, and other reptiles. This entry-level position requires a candidate who can handle various aspects of animal care, including health, welfare, exhibit maintenance, enrichment, training, and recordkeeping. Additionally, the role involves engaging with guests through daily keeper chats and encounters. The successful candidate will be a team player committed to upholding Mississippi Aquarium's three pillars of Education, Conservation, and Community, while adhering to all safety protocols and standard operating procedures.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Classification: Full - Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt
Reports To: Curator of Birds and Ambassador Animals
Compensation: Starting at $14.00 hourly
Closing Date: January 31, 2024
Position Summary:
Mississippi Aquarium is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our Bird and Ambassador Animal Team. This team is responsible for the care of a diverse collection, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The position involves working with animals such as birds in a free-flight aviary, African Penguins, Macaws, Conures, Turacos, Two-toed Sloths, American Beavers, Three-banded Armadillos, alligators, various turtles, snakes, frogs, and other reptiles. This entry-level position requires a candidate who can handle various aspects of animal care, including health, welfare, exhibit maintenance, enrichment, training, and recordkeeping. Additionally, the role involves engaging with guests through daily keeper chats and encounters. The successful candidate will be a team player committed to upholding Mississippi Aquarium's three pillars of Education, Conservation, and Community, while adhering to all safety protocols and standard operating procedures.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide care for a multi-taxa collection of animals through proper husbandry protocols, including daily observations, feedings, behavioral enrichment, training, and environmental enrichment.
- Participate and support daily guest interactions through Keeper Chats, Ambassador presentations, and Encounters.
- Communicate the aquarium’s conservation and education messaging.
- Ensure animal health and welfare through physical and behavioral observations.
- Maintain exhibits and keep support areas clean, organized, and safe.
- Comply with all SOPs related to daily operations and safety.
- Maintain records in accordance with protocols or as directed.
- Promote conservation, animal welfare, and good stewardship in daily tasks.
- Identify and resolve problems with minimal assistance.
- Undertake special projects as assigned by manager(s).
Requirements:
- A four-year degree in aquatic sciences, zoology, biology, psychology, or a related field.
- 1-2 years of experience working in a zoo or aquarium setting
- Experience with one or more of the outlined species is preferred.
- Multi-taxa knowledge of a large variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles.
- Knowledge of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement animal behavioral conditioning techniques.
- Experience with record-keeping and collection management.
- Familiarity with basic medications and administration.
- Knowledge of proper animal conformation, body conditions, gestation/incubation periods, and nutrition.
- Excellent observation and communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Experience in preparing and conducting public educational programs.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ethics that promote a positive team atmosphere and professional environment.
- A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel if necessary.
- Ability to work weekends, holidays, and days closed due to inclement weather, as well as travel for extended periods.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with an ambassador program or multiple avian species preferred.
- Valid SCUBA certification (preferred but not required).
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Team Requirements:
Team Requirements:
- Safety & Security: Adhere to all Mississippi Aquarium safety and security standards.
- Attendance & Appearance: Follow Mississippi Aquarium standard operating procedures regarding attendance and dress code.
- Sales & Guest Services: Focus on the guest experience for increased sales and return visitation.
- Team Partnership: Support, facilitate, and participate in activities that promote team effectiveness.
- Physical Demands & Work Environment:
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Note: Position will involve exposure to inclement weather, dust, potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species, and potentially dangerous machinery, restraint devices, and toxic chemicals and/or drugs. Occasional use of protective clothing or equipment is required, e.g., goggles, mask, gloves, and gowns.
EMPLOYEE PERKS AND BENEFITS:
- 26 days Paid Time Off, additional awarded with continuous service.
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance Packages
- 100% Company paid Short-Term, Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage, and Life insurance policy.
- Aquarium Membership for self, Spouse, and any dependent children
- 10 compilatory tickets for Family and Friends
- Discount at our Mississippi Aquarium Gulf Café
- Discount at Mississippi Aquarium Gift Shop
- Uniform Stipend to spend on Mississippi Aquarium logo apparel.
Salary : $14
Animal Hospital Team Member
The Animal Hospital -
Pass Christian, MS
Externship - Town and Country Animal Hospital
Town and Country Animal Hospital -
Hattiesburg, MS
Veterinarian - Town and Country Animal Hospital
Town and Country Animal Hospital -
Hattiesburg, MS
