Animal Care Specialist

SUMMARY: The Animal Care Specialist is responsible for assisting in the overall care for animals in the Oceanarium department. The department consists of teams that care for Cetaceans, Penguins and Otters, Sea lions, and Animal Ambassadors. The Animal Care Specialist is a supportive role that focuses on learning the skillset for caring for animals, while also providing an educational experience for the visitor. While in this role, staff will learn about the animals under their care and the basic science of operant conditioning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
•  Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission and values.
•  Assist in ensuring the health and well-being of the animal collection
•  Demonstrates a commitment to good relations with fellow staff members, visitors, volunteers, community leaders, and contractors by promoting positive attitudes, good will, cooperation, and providing high standards of service
•  Maintain a clean and healthy environment for the animals, staff, and aquarium guests.
•  Clean the kitchens, utensils, floors, windows, pools, offices, laundry, and any other area or item utilized in the Oceanarium department.
•  Prepare diets for all the animals, which includes thawing, sorting, weighing, cutting, formula
• preparation, vitamin administration, heavy lifting, and frequent exposure to cold temperatures.
•  Regular diving in cold saltwater for purposes of cleaning, pool inspection, and general maintenance.
•  Interact with guests daily by answering guest questions about the animals and the facility.
•  Perform various tasks including evening functions, special employee trainings and seminars, volunteer guidance and interactions, special maintenance or construction projects, public speaking and student interviews.
•  Attend regularly scheduled meetings for intra-departmental communication which include meetings prior to each animal session or presentation, animal group meetings, staff meetings, and additional meetings, as needed.
•  Maintain detailed records of all animal interactions and observations which include diet, vitamins, medication, behavioral notes, medical notes, animal weights, physical observations, graphs, temperatures, and any other records deemed important to the care of the animals, the facility, or daily staff operation.
•  Narrate public presentations and guide private behind the scenes tours, as needed.
•  Engage in regular interactions with some of the animals under the guidance and direction of experienced staff including training sessions, physical exams, public presentations, and play sessions.
•  Embrace a flexible work schedule that includes weekends, holidays and non-standardized hours.
•  Work in an environment with daily exposure to cold salt water
•  Daily lifting in excess of 40 pounds, periodic lifting up to 50 pounds.
•  Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Life Sciences, or related area is preferred.
• Equivalent experience will be considered in lieu of degree.

EXPERIENCE:

• Animal experience is preferred. Experience can include volunteering, internship, or other animal care experience.
• Experience with taxa the Oceanarium team cares for is beneficial.

DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Open water diving certification strongly preferred.
• Ability to obtain certification within one year of employment will be considered.

OTHER SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

• Competent swimmer.
• Ability to work well with othersin a diverse team environment and communicate proficiently with colleagues and guests.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to receive and apply feedback.
• Demonstrates commitment to growth.
• Ability to work holidays and weekends.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to read, write, speak and comprehend English fluently.
• Ability to read and comprehend basic instructions given from written and oral sources.
• Ability to write professional business correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information to and collaborate with all levels of employees.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to understand basic mathematical relationships and formulas.
• Ability to understand and employ intermediate level accounting mathematics.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to work with little or no supervision.
• Ability to work within a team environment.
• Ability to use common sense techniques in solving problems.
• Ability to solve complex logical problems.
• Ability to use diplomacy and tact when dealing with problems.
• Ability to identify problems and determine the best course of action for their resolution.
• Ability to critically evaluate information for accuracy and usefulness in solving problems.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in a variety of situations.

COMPUTER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Computerized accounting system
• Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Excel

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Lift in excess of 40 pounds, periodic lifting up to 70 pounds.
• Sit
• Stand
• Stoop
• Walk

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• This person may be exposed to:
• Low noise
• Moderate Noise
• Cold Water
• Saltwater
• We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply.
• Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.
• If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).