Lead Animal Care Specialist & Assistant Farm Manager

Lead Animal Care Specialist & Assistant Farm Manager (Full-Time)

Reporting to the Farm Manager, the Lead Animal Care Specialist & Assistant Farm Manager position is a full-time, non-exempt position working primarily Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30-4:30, although some early/evening hours and weekend days per month (outside of regularly scheduled special events) will be required. This position will be responsible for overall day-to-day management of the Heckscher WILD! exhibit space, including, but not limited to, supervising interns and volunteers, managing supply budgets, overseeing and participating in daily care of the live animals and plants, public interaction within the exhibit space, and upkeep and basic maintenance of exhibit space.  This position will also be responsible for oversight of seasonal, part-time, and full-time farm staff in the absence of the Farm Manager, as well as assisting in the care and cleaning of farm livestock during scheduled farm shifts. This position will also occasionally teach farm or animal-based programming, including our Junior WILD Keepers program. This position will split time between exotic animal care duties and Heckscher Farm duties, typically with mornings on the farm and afternoons for exotic animal care.  

Specifically, the Lead Animal Care Specialist & Assistant Farm Manager (Full-Time) will 

• Be responsible for the overall day-to-day coordinator of the Heckscher WILD! Exhibit
• Train and manage interns and volunteers in proper animal husbandry and schedule accordingly
• Create animal care policy and procedures and work to enact for all paid and non-paid staff
• Work with Farm Manager & Director of Education to ensure the health and well-being of all animals
• Keep records for veterinary visits, animal intakes and permits, as needed
• Manage and report on annual supply budgets, visitor attendance, and volunteer hours
• Interact with the public within the exhibit through scheduled programs and non-scheduled “teaching moments”
• Manage farm staff, interns, and volunteers on scheduled farm shifts in absence of Farm Manager; serve as department lead in absence of Farm Manager or Director of Education 
• Handle any staffing, safety, or other issues that arise in absence of Farm Manager 
• Assist with daily care and feeding of all farm livestock and otters 
• Teach occasional educational programs such as farm tours, live animal programs, or Junior WILD Keepers. 
• Staff and support SM&NC special event weekends, such as Harvest Festival and Spring on the Farm
• Additional duties as assigned