About the Organization
It is a wonderful time to be a part of our Thanksgiving Point team! As a local Non-Profit, our mission is to bring to life the joy of learning, curiosity, and the wonders of the natural world through world-class experiences that engage, delight, and inspire. Our vision is to engage families and individuals of all ages and abilities. We accomplish this through a variety of offerings and world-class places to explore and visit. Team Members enjoy free venue admissions for themselves and their families, a 401K match incentive, work/life balance and wellness benefits, growth opportunities, Sundays always off, and so much more! We are a one-of-a-kind place, and we want Team Members who are too. Come on board and feel the tremendous reward of improving the lives of all those who enter our doors!
Description
Invertebrate Keeper
Butterfly Biosphere
Wage: $15.00 per hour
PT- Daytime shifts
The Part-time Invertebrate Keeper is responsible for monitoring and performing invertebrate husbandry within the Entomology Lab and providing learning experiences for guests through daily keeper talks, lab tours, and special events. They collaborate within the Entomology Team to ensure that the operations of the entomology lab and exhibits run efficiently, follow USDA/APHIS regulations, and provide highest levels of animal welfare. Part-time Invertebrate Keepers inspire guests, staff, and volunteers to actively engage in Thanksgiving Point’s mission and values, and strengthens the Biosphere’s capacity to become a world-class, zoo-based, conservation organization.
Part-time Keeper Overview:
- Performs day-to-day care (diet prep, cleaning terrariums, replacing substrate, sanitation of deceased animals, maintaining a clean husbandry lab, record keeping etc) required for animals, enclosures, exhibits, and containment areas as outlined in the standard operating procedures and other established protocols
- Provides guidance and a welcoming atmosphere for volunteers and interns
- Participates in opportunities for guest interaction through daily keeper talks, lab tours, and special events
Responsibilities:
- Thanksgiving Point Institute seeks one part-time (25 – 29 hrs/week) Invertebrate Keeper for the Butterfly Biosphere. Position starts September 5, 2022.
- The Butterfly Biosphere’s overarching message is that invertebrates are small but significant, and our goal is to provide opportunities for families to connect with the natural world, learn about the role invertebrates play in ecosystems, and understand the relationships that exist between humans and invertebrates and the impacts that each has on the other.
- This position reports to the Containment Director/Chief Entomologist. The selected candidate will be responsible for caring for our invertebrate collection, maintaining exhibits, processing of live animal shipments, and records keeping. Guest interactions will also be an important part of this role.
- If you are enthusiastic about bugs, animal care, scientific exploration, and sharing your passion with others, please read the full job description and submit a cover letter in addition to your application.
Full Job Description
Duties & Responsibilities
- Performs day-to-day care required for animals and enclosures, exhibits, and containment areas as outlined in the standard operating procedures and other established protocols
- Becomes familiar with and adheres to USDA/APHIS permit conditions and guidelines for educational display of butterflies, moths, and other regulated and non-regulated invertebrates
- Assists with the training of assigned employees and volunteers in their areas of work including animal handling, animal care procedures, lab maintenance, and professional conduct
- Maintains “good show” in the butterfly conservatory, lab space, exhibits, and receiving areas
- Monitors animal health and environmental conditions
- Prepares diets for animals in collections
- Collaborates with Managers to manage assigned Point Taxa, including conducting research, trialing new husbandry techniques, communicating husbandry standards to the rest of the team, and maintaining Standard Operating Guidelines
- Assists with all records keeping (censusing of animals, recording feeding, births, deaths, etc)
- Collects substrates and browse from outside sources
- Participates in opportunities for guest interaction through daily keeper talks, lab tours, and special events
Shift Hours and Days Required:
- This is a part time position, working 25 to 29 hours per week with four to five scheduled morning shifts per week. Scheduled shifts include Saturdays, Sundays, evenings, and holidays when special events or projects occur. Schedule may change based on the needs of the operation. Valid Driver’s license is required. Must pass a background check as there is regular interaction with our young guests.
- Must have strong collaboration skills and work successfully as part of a team.
- Must be adept at both verbal and written communication.
- Must have the ability to work unsupervised
- Must be willing to interact with guests of all ages and facilitate inquiry-based discovery and in support of Thanksgiving Point’s mission to cultivate transformative family learning.
- Ability to perform essential duties which may include lifting up to 50 pounds, standing for long periods of time, bending and reaching, and working in hot and humid environments.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or related field is preferred, and a desire to learn about entomology and invert husbandry.
- Preference for a year’s experience caring for animals, preferably invertebrates, in a professional setting
- Proficiency in the use of a personal computer and standard business software, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
EOE Statement
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you have questions about accommodations, please reach out to hr@thanksgivingpoint.org.
Full-Time/Part-Time
Part-Time
Position
Invertebrate Keeper
Shift
Days
Number of Openings
1
Exempt/Non-Exempt
Non-Exempt
Location
Thanksgiving Point
Category
Education
Number Filled
0
This position is currently accepting applications.