Live Animal Assistant

Department: Cultural Services | Location: Museum/Discovery Center | Employment Type: Part-Time Hourly | Hourly Rate: $15.16 per hour

About the role

The Live Animal Assistant is part of a team responsible for the daily care and husbandry of FCMoD’s live animal collection on display in the Animal Encounters area of the museum. This position works under the supervision of the Live Animal Technician and collaborates closely with other assistants and volunteers. The Animal Encounters area is one of the most popular exhibits, requiring healthy animals in clean, comfortable habitats to ensure both animal safety and a high-quality visitor experience.

Animal care is a year-round responsibility. The team typically spends 2 hours each day (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.) feeding, watering, and cleaning habitats before the museum opens to the public. The museum currently houses 24 different animal species, each with specific husbandry needs. Flexible scheduling is available among team members, with most working 6-8 hours per week. Holidays are covered equitably by the team.

The ideal candidate has experience caring for and handling a variety of species, from arthropods to small mammals.

Responsibilities

• Daily care and feeding of FCMoD’s live animal collection.
• Communicating with teammates about the status of the animals daily.
• Attending team and museum meetings as required.
• Occasionally interacting with visitors interested in the live animals.
• Presenting live animal programs to the public as assigned.
• Communicating supply needs, care questions, or concerns to the Live Animal Coordinator in a timely manner.
• Overseeing the work of volunteers.

Requirements

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, and sit; extended periods of walking and moderate physical activity.
• Use hands to feel, manipulate tools and materials, and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

• 8th grade education and 1-2 years of proven experience caring for a range of live animals, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior experience in a museum environment is a plus.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, analyze situations, and respond quickly with effective solutions.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to keep and maintain accurate records.
• Comfortable interacting with the public, including diverse age groups and abilities.
• Basic computer skills, including email and Microsoft Word/Excel.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact and build relationships with people of diverse identities and backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation; leverages resources and adapts to changing issues and trends.
• Understands and meets the diverse needs of internal and external customers.
• Ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information and teamwork.
• Values-based behaviors:
  • Listens attentively and asks clarifying questions.
  • Works effectively in a team environment; actively participates in problem-solving.
  • Identifies opportunities for personal and professional development.
  • Prepares for and attends meetings on time; honors commitments and deadlines.
  • Collaborates proactively with other work groups and outside organizations.
  • Honors confidentiality of co-workers and proprietary information.
  • Follows rules, regulations, and policies.
  • Positively contributes to problem-solving and implementing changes.