Job Description Summary

The Santa Fe College (SF) Teaching Zoo a unique 10-acre zoo in Gainesville Florida is the only zoo on a college campus accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The zoo showcases a diverse collection that contains both native and exotic species for everyone to enjoy. Visitors enjoy the Bald Eagles White-throated capuchin monkeys American alligators Matschies Tree Kangaroo and Asian small-clawed otters to name a few. These species and many other mammals birds reptiles and amphibians are on display in a naturally shaded environment. The 1/4-mile trail through the wooded environment is lined with mulch and is stroller and/or wheelchair accessible.

We are seeking three (3) dedicated and detailed-oriented part-time Teaching Zoo Project Assistants to join our team in supporting the Teaching Zoo. As a Project Assistant you will play a role in assisting the Zoo staff. This support includes helping to maintain habitats keeping up Zoo grounds and assisting with various other projects. The successful candidates will be self-motivated and be excellent team players and must be currently enrolled SF students in the Zoo Animal Technology program.

Job Description

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Assists curators with habitat repair and maintenance as well as construction and demolition.

• Operates power tools in a safe and effective manner with oversight from Zoo staff which includes power drills and saws after proper training is completed.

• Landscaping duties that can include mowing trimming weeding and planting.

• Assists curators with veterinary needs including capture and restraint of animal collection giving medications and animal transport.

• Assists with pest control operations on zoo grounds with oversight from Zoo staff which includes replacing rodent blocks in bait boxes.

• Work in a professional manor with all Zoo Animal Technology students and staff.

• Complies with all published College Rules procedures guidelines and laws/regulations governing public employees including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction FERPA and confidentiality.

• Strictly honors the privacy security and confidentiality of student records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state federal and college regulations policies and procedures.

• Provides service excellence through courteous informed accessible and professional engagement.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reports to: General Zoo Curator

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: Must be a currently enrolled Santa Fe College student in the Zoo Animal Technology program in good academic standing taking six (6) or more credit hours. Some knowledge of the SF Teaching Zoos animal collection is a must.

Additional Requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted.

Preferred: Currently taking or have taken courses in animal welfare and/or experience in a Zoo environment.

General Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.

• Adaptability to Change able to be flexible and supportive able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.

• Communication able to effectively communicate in a professional diplomatic empathetic and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.

• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned sensible and timely decisions based on careful objective review and informed analysis of available information considerations and other factors.

• Ethics able to demonstrate integrity professionalism civility and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.

• Organization & Time Management able to plan schedule and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.

• Problem Solving proven skills in identifying issues determining their cause developing creative solutions and following through with implementing resolutions.

• Relationship Management able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others building relationships and addressing identified needs.

• Results Orientation proven ability to set and exceed established targets.

• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.

• Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention to detail.

• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize coordinate manage prioritize and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation determine a logical course of action and apply the appropriate response.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Santa Fe College (SF) is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that embraces diversity and where no member of the college community is excluded from participation in denied the benefits of or subject to discrimination in any college program or activity based on: their race ethnicity national origin color religion age disability sex pregnancy status gender identity sexual orientation marital status genetic information political opinions or affiliations or veteran status. This commitment applies to employees volunteers students and to the extent possible to third parties applicants for admission applicants for employment and the general public. regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns about discrimination or harassment including concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence under Title IX should be directed to:

Santa Fe College reserves the right to extend deadlines and/or not to offer advertised positions. Preference will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of veterans.