Position Title: Inverterbrate Keeper

Department: Entomology

Reports To: Curator of Animal Collection

Location: Audubon Insectarium

Rate: Starting rate begins at $16; pay commensurate with experience

General Summary: Provides education to the public about Audubon Insectarium’s animals and exhibits when working on the museum floor. Provides animal care to Audubon’s living collection at assigned facility (downtown Insectarium) or Insect Rearing Facility (IRF).

To deliver on the Audubon mission, the Invertebrate keeper will:

Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality

• Approach all encounters with employees and guests in a friendly, service-oriented manner.

• Maintain the highest standards related to the day-to-day operations of the Husbandry Department.

• Work evening, weekend, holiday hours - required.

• Return telephone messages and e-mails in a timely fashion.

• Handle problems in the workplace, including anticipating, preventing, identifying, and solving problems as necessary.

• Identify and correct minor or routine maintenance problems in a timely manner and report other maintenance needs.

• Interact positively with the public and co-workers.

• Make decisions consistent with Audubon Nature Institute policies and procedures.

• Assist with daily duties in all sections as required.

• Be required to perform facility and exhibit maintenance, including but not limited to, trash and debris removal, floor cleaning, painting, building repair, horticultural duties, etc.

• Establish and maintain effective, efficient and cooperative relationships with employees, senior administration, vendors and customers.

• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, including proper uniform standards.

• Always comply with Audubon Nature Institute standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient operations.

Exhibit the diversity of wildlife.

• Basic understanding of the principles of entomology.

• Understanding of professional animal care and welfare standards.

• Has a basic understanding of the animals under their care. Natural history, anatomy, behavior, and parameters.

• Ability to follow direction and act in accordance with all established protocols and procedures. Compliance with all AZA and USDA standards.

• Accurate recordkeeping and compliance with ZIMS.

• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team to facilitate daily animal care and excellence in welfare.

• Good decision making with regards to human and animal safety.

• Responsible for exhibit maintenance and daily cleaning tasks. Able to accomplish daily tasks within acceptable/ established timeframe. Performs facility maintenance in animal care areas (sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, washing containers, etc.)

• After training, actively participates in (or leads) live animal presentations to educate visitors and staff about our animals. Possesses a strong passion for arthropods and demonstrates this daily.

• Must be able to follow simple recipes (with insects as an ingredient).

Weave quality entertainment through the guest experience

• Work within the guidelines and mission of the Audubon Nature Institute.

• Convey information and ideas clearly.

• Conduct behind-the-scenes tours for VIP’s, donors, and Audubon Education programs as scheduled.

• Interact with the public to include on and off grounds educational and media presentations.

• Develop and present educational programs as required.

• Function as an interpreter and represent ANI as a spokesperson.

• Compose animal and exhibit information for publication in the following: Audubon’s website, AZA’s website and other publications.

Operate a financially self-sufficient collection of museums and parks

• Perform basic arithmetic functions and process financial information.

• Assist with the preparation of the departmental operating budget as needed.

• Strive to operate within budget limitations.

• Manage time effectively to eliminate unnecessary overtime.

• Encourage and support Audubon programs.

• Promote, participate in and oversee departmental research and conservation programs

The above listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned.

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To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the Invertebrate Keeper will:

Welcome

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• Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.

• Wear identification badge.

• Walk individual to destination instead of pointing; offer assistance to people who look confused.

• Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spill, pick up trash). Always have the camera-ready look.

Share

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• Maintain positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it).

• Coach coworkers on service expectations.

• Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.

• Know when to involve management.

Inspire

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• Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers.

• Utilize proper phone etiquette (answer phone within three rings, smile before answering call, ask for permission and wait for response before placing caller on hold).

• Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.

• Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.

• Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors (vent backstage).

Experience:

Minimum of one year of paid (or unpaid) experience in a zoological facility, public aquarium, or similar facility OR demonstrated and confirmed skill set.

Understanding/ experience with care of invertebrates in a professional setting with demonstrated success.

Has understanding/ experience with the species under their care or has worked with similar taxa. Understands natural history, anatomy, behavior, and environmental parameters. Able to identify and recognize health concerns.

Education:

High School diploma (or equivalent) is required. A degree from a recognized college or university is preferred. College course work in zoology, biology, animal science or related field is preferred; or an equivalent level of work experience and education as determined by the hiring authority.

Licensure/Certification:

Must maintain a valid driver’s license.

Software Requirements:

Proven competency in the application of Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel computer programs is required, along with the ability to adapt to new record-keeping systems.

Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements:

Must have the ability to use mobile devices, computer, fax, scanner, phone and copy machine.

Physical Requirements:

1. Sedentary Work: exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. May involve sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

2. Sitting or standing, bending, stooping, and the ability to carry items weighing up to 30 pounds.

3. Constant adequate range of motion and mobility required.

4. Regular near acuity with clarity of vision at 20 inches or less required.

5. Typical ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or actions required.

6. Regular talking and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language expected.

7. Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds.

8. Constant ability to read, record, or type data quickly and accurately required.

Environmental/Working Conditions:

1. Working long hours between breaks or meals required.

2. Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner required.

3. Will be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity.

4. Constant contact with co-workers required.

5. Affinity for arthropods required.

6. Exposure to fluctuations in temperatures will be required.

7. Exposure to outdoor conditions will be required.