ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

Job Description

Job Title: Part Time Environmental Exhibit Specialist

Reports To: Director of Animal Care and Facilities

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Schedule: Variable (5-15hrs/wk)

Summary: ECHO’s mission is to educate and delight people about the Ecology, Culture, History, and Opportunity for stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin. ECHO is a dynamic learning and teaching community committed to engaging diverse public audiences in dialogue; providing experiential, relevant and lifelong educational experiences to guests; and inspiring environmental stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin. ECHO employees are expected to contribute to a productive, respectful workplace by modeling good humor, communication, collaboration and accountability to our colleagues, creatures and guests.

The Part Time Environmental Exhibit Specialist is an experienced team player who will provide state of the industry animal care and husbandry for ECHO’s reptile/amphibian/ fish collection and support building and exhibit maintenance as necessary.

Supervisory Responsibilities: May direct activities of daily volunteers and/or interns.

Essential Duties:

• Perform daily observation of animals and daily implementation of proper animal care including designated diet and veterinary care.

• Maintain life support systems and exhibits.

• Perform water quality testing and maintain optimal water quality in animal enclosures.

• Assist with specimen capture, collection and transportation.

• Provide thorough and accurate record-keeping.

• Deliver educational presentations.

• Help train volunteers, interns, and other animal care staff.

• Assist with maintenance of exhibits and support facilities staff.

• Work on special projects as assigned.

• Other duties may be assigned.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of the position; it is intended merely to be a guide to the general work to be performed.

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 and/or Experience:

• BS/BA in Biology or related field.

• 6 to 12 months experience in reptile/amphibian/fish husbandry preferred.

• Relevant work or volunteer experience considered as fulfillment of education requirement if understanding of husbandry and life support systems can be demonstrated.

Job Skills & Abilities:

• Valid Vermont Driver’s License.

• Able to demonstrate understanding of reptile/amphibian/fish husbandry and life support systems.

• Must be able to perform strenuous work and lift and/or move at least 50 pounds on a regular basis and occasionally more than 100 pounds.

• Ability to deliver educational demonstrations.

• Able to consistently demonstrate and provide excellent customer service to ECHO guests.

• Knowledge or interest in ECHO’s mission.

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 essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee sometimes works near moving mechanical parts and is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee may work in high, precarious places and be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. Occasional weekends and after-hours work is required.

Application Instructions: ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes resumes from individuals who will contribute to our diversity. Please send resume to Amanda Van Vranken, Staff Resource Manager at: avanvranken@echovermont.org. Please put Animal Care position in subject title.

Application Deadline: Monday, January 16, 2017