Seasonal Butterfly Keeper

Summary Statement

Step into a world of color, curiosity, and connection as a Seasonal Butterfly Keeper with the Butterflies in Bloom exhibit at Zoo Boise! In this one‑of‑a‑kind role, you’ll welcome guests into a vibrant, living exhibit, providing friendly and engaging customer service while helping create a magical experience for visitors of all ages. You’ll partner with animal care staff to support the daily care of butterfly pupae and adults, helping ensure their dietary, health, and environmental needs are met.

You’ll also help keep the butterfly house clean, organized, and ready to inspire each new wave of guests.

This seasonal position runs from May 17 through September 12, 2026, and offers a consistent Thursday through Monday schedule from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. (with a 30‑minute lunch break), with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. This position works up to 32 hours per week and is perfect for someone who enjoys connecting with people, appreciates nature, and wants to be part of something truly special—where every day brings new wings, new wonders, and new smiles.

• Informs and educates the public regarding the butterfly exhibit. Provides information and guidance to volunteers and zoo teens.
• Ensures volunteers, zoo teens and customers adhere to exhibit rules and regulations.
• Maintains the butterfly house: waters plants and disposes of any dead leaves per permitting requirements; disposes of trash or any dead butterflies in the exhibit per permitting requirements; sweeps pathways and cleans mirrors; ensures fans, latches and mesh are in proper working order and reports any maintenance issues.
• Checks to ensure that the butterfly house mesh is secured daily.
• Mists and releases live butterflies daily. Processes shipments of new pupae, including checking that the order is accurate, cleaning the emergence case and pinning pupae.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

• High school diploma or GED.

• Customer service techniques.

• Work in varying outdoor conditions including rain and extreme cold and hot temperatures.
• Stand for long periods of time and pay attention to detail.
• Interact with the public and volunteers in a friendly and informative manner.
• Communicate effectively in the English language (written and verbal) at a level necessary for efficient job performance.
• Perform all essential and marginal functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor, and/or manager with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• City of Boise background check processes which includes a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation.
• Drug Free Workplace:
  In accordance with the City of Boise Drug Free Workplace Regulation, this position is designated as safety sensitive and is subject to testing requirements including Post Offer Applicant Testing, Random Testing, Reasonable Suspicion, Post‑Accident, etc. Applicants will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to hire. Appointment to this position is contingent upon a negative pre‑employment drug test.
• This position has responsibilities that require the person to work with minors or individuals with disabilities.

The physical effort characteristics and working environment 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.

Physical Efforts:
While performing the duties of this job the employee is always lifting/carrying up to 20 pounds and rarely lifting/carrying up to 75 pounds. Also, the employee is always pushing/pulling up to 20 pounds and occasionally pushing/pulling up to 75 pounds. The noise level is frequently moderate. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear, smell and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Employees will sit, stand, walk, run, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb and balance. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.

Working Environment:
The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, in wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases or other airborne matter. Employees are exposed to mechanical and electrical hazards, work in/at heights and confined spaces. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position. Work includes protected exposure to infectious bacteria, bodily fluids and chemicals.