Butterfly Coordinator at Gardens on Spring Creek

Title: Gardens on Spring Creek Butterfly Coordinator

Department: Curatorial

Position Reports To: Lepidopterist Manager

Facility: Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526

Direct Reports: Gardens on Spring Creek Butterfly Keepers/Interns/Volunteers

About Butterfly Pavilion: Here at Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere, because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future. 

FLSA: Full Time/Non Exempt (40 hours/week)

Full time hourly: $21.00/ hour

Position Summary: Supports and assists Lepidopterist in overseeing the Gardens on Spring Creek butterfly flight house by supervising butterfly keepers, interns, and volunteers. Is responsible for staff oversight, animal maintenance and husbandry, animal exhibitry, and record keeping at the Gardens on Spring Creek flight house. Supports community outreach and programming around native butterflies, including the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Coordinates the care and husbandry of the lepidopteran collection at Gardens on Spring Creek.
• Serves as liaison between Westminster and Fort Collins branches of Butterfly Pavilion.
• Supervises butterfly keepers, interns, and volunteers at Gardens on Spring Creek butterfly flight house
• Implements procedures and protocols for the lepidopteran collection at Gardens on Spring Creek, including, but not limited to; animal husbandry, maintenance, monitoring of animal health, welfare, diet and behavior, quarantine protocols and record keeping.
• Approves any proposed changes to collection care with supervisor(s) and communicates any collection matters in a timely manner
• Leads in the scheduling of Gardens on Spring Creek butterfly keepers and interns, ensuring there are no support gaps.
• Coordinates with Gardens on Spring Creek volunteer department for volunteer scheduling.
• Collaborates with Gardens on Spring Creek and Butterfly Pavilion staff on lepidopteran exhibitry and flight house maintenance and repair. Does minor maintenance and repairs.
• Notifies supervisors of all maintenance repair needs
• Works to insure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations and permitting. Maintains AZA standards.
• Maintains containment in flight house and conducts USDA compliance trainings or internal inspections as needed.
• Directly communicates Gardens on Spring Creek staff for onsite needs and maintenance requests.
• Is responsible for day-to-day animal welfare of lepidopterans at Gardens on Spring Creek.
• These duties include daily monitoring and maintenance of animal health and welfare, exhibit cleanliness, quarantine and record keeping.
• Oversees lepidopteran management/husbandry protocols ensuring established husbandry standards are met.
• Manages and reports on issues concerning animal behavior, animal health, and other relevant activities.
• Oversees animal shipments and animal transfers to Gardens on Spring Creek and supports and assists Director of Animal Collections on communicating with butterfly suppliers, ordering butterflies, and monitoring animal shipments.
• Supports Gardens on Spring Creek guests, constituents and scientific community; or Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network volunteers; answers questions as a source for accurate invertebrate identification and information for the community.
• Supports media needs when assigned.
• Participates in or leads the creation and execution of volunteer/intern or staff trainings as necessary.
• Work with Gardens on Spring Creek staff to develop new trainings, as needed, for the butterfly flight house.
• Lead trainings on butterfly house or community science projects
• Evaluates success of lepidopteran-related programs at Gardens on Spring Creek, including the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network.
• Works collaboratively with staff and volunteers, problem solves and communicates within the team and when working with other teams or departments.
• Interacts with and provides educational information for guests of all ages visiting the butterfly house or community scientist volunteers participating in the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network.
• Uses live animals to demonstrate science-based concepts to guests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Project/Time Management
• Communication Skills
• Departmental Knowledge
• Detail Oriented
• Team Building
• Accountable
• Initiative
• Decision Making

Qualifications/Experience:

• Degree in Biology, Zoology, or related field of study required
• 2+ years' experience working with invertebrates/butterflies or animals in a zoo, museum, or similar facility is desired.
• Experience working with or mentoring interns and volunteers
• Experience with processing high amounts of data accurately and promptly
• Experience with, or interest in, community science programs
• Prior experience working with, as well as comfortable working with, individuals of different ages, abilities, and backgrounds

Additional Requirements:

• Required attendance at monthly all staff, branch and department meetings and additional trainings and Butterfly Pavilion functions as designated essential by department and/or organizational need.
• Employee must adhere to Rosie's Rules, check email and phone messages regularly, report injuries within 24 hours, and alert immediate supervisor and necessary team staff when calling in from work.
• Attend leadership meetings and trainings, as required.
• Meet regularly with Lepidopterist Manager for updates on all flight house operations and needs.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements:

While performing the responsibilities of this position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the position will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

At Butterfly Pavilion and Gardens on Spring Creek, the employee is occasionally exposed to moderate to loud environmental noise for extended periods of time.

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and stand, use their hands and fingers, to handle/feel/grasp. The employee is required to reach with arms and hands, walk, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Employee should be able to lift, carry and items up to 50 lbs.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to high humidity, intense sunlight, heat, cold, wind, precipitation, and uneven surfaces. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles.

This position may have to occasionally run small machinery. The employee will be exposed to chemicals (bleach, vinegar, ammonia, etc.). This employee must handle a variety of invertebrate animals.

Employee must have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination.

This position is full-time and on-site at The Gardens of Spring Creek in Fort Collins, CO.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit cover letter & resume using the link below:

Butterfly House Coordinator

Position is open until filled. No phone calls or drop-in for this position please.

EOE Commitment Statement:

Butterfly Pavilion is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for open positions and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or veteran status.

For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

https://www.applicantpro.com/j/3161330-818739