Animal Keeper Apprentice

The Position

Lindsay Wildlife Experience seeks self-motivated, flexible and responsible individuals capable of supporting the daily operations of the Animal Encounters (AE) Department. The AE staff are expected to work with a wide variety of animals, including birds of prey, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. The AE staff help support Lindsay’s interpretive program, participating in daily public programming and working alongside the Education Department to provide a high-quality guest experience.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Work with Curator, veterinary staff, animal keeper staff, animal husbandry volunteers and interns to ensure the highest standards of animal care. 
  • Ensure compliance with USDA and Fish & Wildlife regulations.
  • Participate in daily husbandry, including handling, enrichment, training using operant conditioning and digital record keeping.
  • Participation in public programming using live animals; including daily exhibit hall programming and events on and off-site.
  • Facility maintenance (cleaning, equipment upkeep, organizational projects, maintaining naturalistic exhibits).
  • Accurate observation, evaluation and documentation of animal behaviors.
  • Maintain excellent written and verbal communication with co-workers, manager, director, and veterinary staff.
  • Must be willing to work weekends.
  • Work in coordination with the other departments to represent Lindsay and its mission in a professional manner and with high quality customer service.

Qualifications

  • GED or High School Diploma is required.
  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Have a valid driver’s license.
  • Experience working with wild/exotic animals, preferably in a zoological setting gained through internships, volunteer experience or employment.
  • Enrollment in a program leading to at least a two-year degree or higher in one of the natural sciences or other disciplines. Degrees in other fields may be substituted by additional relevant experience.
  • Have excellent communication skills with staff, volunteers, and guests.
  • Exemplary verbal and written communication skills and ability to speak to diverse audiences.
  • Must be able to work independently and as part of a team of both staff and volunteers.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel and Google Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive, etc.)
  • Must be willing to work some holidays and weekends.
  • Must be able to sustain prolonged bending, kneeling, standing, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  • Medium strength demands include exerting 20-50 pounds occasionally, 10-25 pounds frequently, or up to 10 pounds constantly. Requires handling, using vision and hearing, and talking.
  • Frequently requires standing, fine dexterity, walking, lifting, sitting, reaching, pushing/pulling, balancing, climbing, and twisting. Occasionally requires carrying, kneeling, foot controls, bending, and crouching.

NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  • Frequently requires time pressures, frequent change of tasks, irregular schedule/overtime, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, tedious or exacting work, and noisy/distracting environment. Rarely requires emergency situations.

OVERALL WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards.
  • Some office environment, as well as public exhibit hall programming, and frequent outdoor events and/or outreach sites.

Hours, Benefits & Compensation

  • Lindsay offers a competitive benefits package including paid sick time, vacation, holidays and 401K eligibility.
  • Flexibility to work some evenings, early mornings, and special events as needed.
  • Temporary position, ends June 30, 2025
  • Non-exempt part-time position, 24-hours a week. Weekend work required. 
  • Pay: $16-$17/hour

 

Apply

  • To apply for this opportunity, send cover letter, resume, and three references to: [email protected]. Please put “Animal Keeper Apprentice ” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.
  • *Submit all materials in PDF format with your first initial and last name in the document name. Example: JSmith_Resume.pdf
  • Automatic applications from websites, such as Indeed, will not be considered. References will not be checked without permission.
  •  Applications are open until position filled, with priority to applicants submitted on or before April 21, 2024

EEO Policy Statement

It is the policy of Lindsay Wildlife Experience to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to their race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state or local law.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

The Lindsay Wildlife Experience requires all staff and volunteers to be fully vaccinated or to have a valid exemption request.

Position Availability

Open until filled.