Herpetology Care Specialist I (Part-Time)
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Job Location:
Jacksonville, FL - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
4 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Application deadline Friday 2January 2026and/oruntil a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to closethe posting earlyif a well-qualified candidate pool has been established.Early submission is encouraged.
Please ensure that your application highlights your experience and qualifications as they relate to the responsibilities of this role.
Were seeking aHerpetology Care Specialist I (Part-Time)to join our dedicated animal care team up to29.5 hours per week. This role is essential in supporting our strategic plan by exceeding modern animal care regulations and ensuring the highest standards of animal wellbeing in the assigned this role you will gain hands-on experience with rare and diverse species and have opportunities in specialized animal care. This is an opportunity to grow your expertise while supporting our high standards of animal wellbeing working withsnakes lizards turtles frogs salamanders fish and ambassador animals used for education and outreach.
Join us in making a difference for these incredible animals ensuring their health happiness and thriving futures.
What Youll Do:
- Animal Care:Monitor inspect feed clean and make minor repairs to animal enclosures. Observe/record. Maintain daily records.
- Guest Interactions:Enhance guest experience through engaging and educational interactions.
- Safety and Security:Comply with safety policies and protocols to prioritize human and animal safety.
What You Bring:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability toperform the physical demandsof the position for an9.5 hour shiftincluding working in Florida weather with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Engaging communication skills for guest interaction and team collaboration.
- Willingness to work 3 days a week thatincludes a Saturday or Sunday with flexibility for occasional operational needs and/or disaster recovery efforts.
- Demonstrate a strong foundation in professional animal care including:
- Hands-on experience in daily animal husbandry including behavioral observation enrichment implementation animal recordkeeping and participation in animal introductions.
- Working knowledge of understanding of species-specific husbandry requirements for both ectothermic and endothermic species including temperature gradients humidity UVB lighting and water quality.
- Experience maintaining and servicing animal habitats across terrestrial arboreal aquatic and semi-aquatic environments.
- Practical experience with diet preparation and nutritional management for a range of dietary strategies including insectivores carnivores herbivores and omnivores.
- Working knowledge of comparative biology and natural history across multiple taxa including reptiles amphibians fishes birds mammals and invertebrates.
- Understanding of and adherence to biosecurity quarantine and disease-prevention protocols within multi-taxa collections (e.g. parasite management chytrid fungi ranavirus inclusion body disease).
- Working knowledge of safely handle and restrain a wide variety of species using approved tools PPE and protocols including potentially dangerous or venomous animals when applicable to the role.
- Experience by level:
- Animal Care Specialist I:Six (6) monthsoffull-time equivalent (960 hours) experience in relevant paid or unpaid internships coursework or volunteer experience involving the care husbandry or management of wildlife in a professionally managed setting (such as a zoo aquarium sanctuary or wildlife rehabilitation facility).
- Animal Care Specialist II:Two (2) yearsof paid experienceinvolving the care husbandry or management of wildlife in a professionally managed setting (such as a zoo aquarium sanctuary or wildlife rehabilitation facility).
- Senior Care Specialist:Five (5) yearsofpaid experienceinvolving the care husbandry or management of wildlife in a professionally managed setting (such as a zoo aquarium sanctuary or wildlife rehabilitation facility).
A Plus...
- Associate degree or coursework in related fields (e.g. biology animal science zoology) is encouraged as a foundation for growth.
- Bachelors degree in a related life science and/or advanced degrees certifications or specialized training in mammal care or wildlife management.
- Experience working in an AZA-accredited or similar professional animal care institution.
- Familiarity with institutional animal record systems (e.g. ZIMS or equivalent).
- Experience supporting education ambassador animal programs or public-facing animal encounters.
- Coursework or training in zoology biology animal science wildlife management or a related field.
- Experience with behavioral enrichment design for ambassador animals.
- Ability to integrate conservation storytelling tied to field research or species survival plans
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to remain standing for extended periods.
- Ability to ascend/ descend ladders steps and uneven terrain while maintaining body equilibrium.
- Hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for grasping turning and manipulating objects of varying size and weight.
- Ability to lift carry and move objects up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to walk bend kneel crouch crawl climb and reach.
- Visual acuity for reading writing and observing surroundings and auditory acuity for communication.
- Ability to operate motorized carts trucks and power tools.
- Ability to perform physically demanding tasks and work in varying environmental conditions.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
WORK CONDITIONS
- Exposure to various weather conditions including extreme heat sunlight cold rain snow and wind.
- Regular work on weekends and holidays with irregular work hours sometimes required.
- Exposure to hazards such as wildlife waste equipment loud noises chemicals and heights.
- Potential exposure to allergens (dust animal dander pollen etc.) pathogens and injuries from animals.
- Periodic work in small enclosed areas.
We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal state and local employment regulations
EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
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- Benefits
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About Company
Consider a career at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens where you can share your passion about the wonders of wildlife and plants with our community and guests. Join the innovative, award winning Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens family, ranked as a top twenty-five zoo in the USA by Trip Ad ... View more
