Wild Encounters Specialist (Outreach)

About the role

We are seeking a dedicated individual to join our Wild Encounters Outreach Team, responsible for the comprehensive care and well-being of our animal collection. This role ensures adherence to best practices in animal wellbeing and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging presentations in school settings and throughout the local community as well as on zoo grounds.
• Lead guided tours that educate the public, promote the Zoo, and garner support from sponsors.
• Assists the Wild Encounters team in the overall care and well-being of the region’s animal collection (e.g., animal health, disease diagnosis and treatment, husbandry, animal nutrition, enrichment and other activities related to animal care).
• Works in compliance with animal wellbeing, best practices and all professional standards.
• Cleans and maintains animal exhibit areas, performs basic horticulture work (e.g. caring for region’s egress/ingress, general grounds beautification) and disinfects animal enclosures.
• Provides daily care and assists with training of the Wild Encounters collection assigned to the department.
• Assists with all on-grounds presentations and Wild Encounters to ensure high quality, engaging experiences for guests.
• Transports animals to scheduled programs.
• Ensure daily program and presentation setup.
• Conducts other programs as necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, animal science, biology or relevant field required.
• Four years of relevant zookeeping experience may be substituted for a degree.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in zookeeping (6 months to one year), or approved equivalent required.
• Experience with public speaking, including presenting wildlife and conservation content.
• Minimum six months’ animal husbandry and training experience working with ambassador animals including mammals, birds, and reptiles in a fluid presentation-style program.
• Ability to successfully perform animal husbandry duties within a diverse animal collection preferred.
• P.R./First Aid certification preferred.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of animal and conservation issues required.
• Ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing is required.
• Ability to work as a team with other staff members.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with all Zoo team members and contacts regarding company business required.

Skills

• Ability to maintain a positive attitude in sometimes stressful situations is required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays required.
• Ability to plan and organize work in an efficient and cost-effective manner without direct supervision is required.
• Ability to provide excellent guest service by positively interacting with guests and upholding the guest service standards required.
• Ability to adhere to standard operating procedures including but not limited to safety protocols required.
• Proof of negative TB screening prior to placement and annually thereafter required.
• Possession of a valid state issued motor vehicle operator’s license, and a good driving record required.
• Ability to adhere to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s drug-free workplace policy including but not limited to pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion and follow-up treatment required.
• Ability to successfully complete a criminal history background check annually required.

Benefits

One of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the Wild Encounters Outreach team is the ability to reach people in the local community that may never get the opportunity to visit the zoo. Each day presents unique opportunities, while consistently involving the core elements of animal care and guest interaction.

Pay

Details on pay are not specified in this posting.

Schedule

Details on schedule are not specified in this posting.