Loading...

Animal Care Specialist Full-time

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

Bradenton, Florida

Job Type Permanent
Salary $15 - $17 per hour
Benefits Medical/Dental/Vision, Paid vacation and sick
Deadline Apr 30, 2025

Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

Position: Animal Care Specialist Full-time

Department: Animal Care

Reports to: Director of Animal Care

Position Summary: The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is seeking an Animal Care Specialist to assist with the daily care of the West Indian manatee in a second stage rehabilitation resulting in return to the wild. Additional job duties: daily care of permanent resident freshwater turtles, daily guest interaction, maintenance of aquatic animal habitats, behavioral observations, and record keeping.

Essential Job Functions (Including, but not limited to):

  • Perform all activities in alignment with AWA, USDA, MMPA standards and guidelines, all relevant laws and regulations, safety standards, and standards that ensure animal welfare.
  • Husbandry and care of West Indian manatee, including preparing and distributing approved diets, detailed observations and maintaining pool water quality by SCUBA diving and life support maintenance.
  • Husbandry and care of freshwater turtle species, including the preparation and distribution of approved diets, conducting detailed observations and proper handling.   
  • Close observation of animal behaviors with a focus on input, output, swimming, and behaviors related to monitoring the health and welfare of the animals.
  • Communicate safety, health, and welfare concerns in the appropriate manner.
  • Performing animal restraint and handling according to standard procedures.
  • Observe and develop skill in animal procedures including, but not limited to, transport and veterinary procedures.
  • Maintain detailed daily records and reports on assigned animals in line with USDA standards.
  • Develop knowledge of Museum and Animal area layout to respond quickly in the event of an animal emergency and to assist guests daily
  • Initiate and complete area projects with supervisor’s approval.
  • Develop knowledge of safety SOPs, safety concerns, and reporting protocols.
  • Interact with guests during daily, scheduled presentations and informal discussions.
  • Respond to and assist supervisor in guiding the resolution of emergency situations
  • Cleaning and safety checks of the manatee habitat by underwater diving following dive safety guidelines and SOPs and without animal interaction.
  • Safely operate rental cars, vans or trucks, hand tools, power tools, personal computers, laboratory equipment and general office equipment.
  • Support the values of the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
  • Support the values of the Animal Care team with the primary focus on animal welfare.
  • Promote a team environment. 
  • Ability to work with all departments of the museum.

Skills:

  • Knowledge of Word Processing software and Spreadsheet software
  • Must have good written and oral communication skills
  • Must have the flexibility to work weekends, holidays and to adjust work schedule to fill in for sick and vacation shortages, the best functioning of the department and with manatee procedures, including releases.  

Education/Experience:

  • Experience in the Animal Care field through employment, internships or volunteering
  • High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
  • AA degree or Bachelors’ degree in the sciences preferred.
  • Open Water SCUBA certification required

Physical Requirements:

  • Strong swimming abilities
  • Must be able to dive in water temperatures as low as 72° F
  • Ability to lift-up to 50 pounds
  • Ability to bend, lift, sweep, and mop without difficulty
  • Possess visual acuity and balance appropriate for animal care and general safety practices.
HOW TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter and resume to vedmonds@bishopscience.org

Qualified applicants will be contacted

Please, no phone calls

When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.

Category Wildlife