Animal Care Specialist

TITLE: Animal Care Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Oceanarium Team

REPORTS TO: Director of Animal Care & Behavioral Training

STATUS: Full-time, Non-Exempt

PAY RATE:$23.00 - $26.00/hour

LOCATION: Chicago - Onsite Required

The Animal Care Specialist is responsible forassistinginthe overall care of animalsinthe

Oceanariumdepartment.

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 skill set 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 andthebasic science of operant conditioning.

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision,mission, and values.
• Assistin 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, goodwill, 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 itemutilizedin the Oceanariumdepartment.
• Prepare diets for all the animals,whichincludeshandling fish,thawing, sorting, weighing, cutting, formula preparation, vitamin administration, heavy lifting, and frequent exposure to cold temperatures.
• Interact with guests dailyby answering guest questions about the animals and the facility.
• Perform various tasks including evening functions, special employee trainings and seminars, special maintenanceor construction projects.
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings for intra-departmental communication, which include meetings before each animal session or presentation, animal group meetings, staff meetings, andadditionalmeetings,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 recordsdeemedimportant to the care of the animals, the facility, or daily staff operation.
• 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 nights,weekends,holidays, and non-standardized hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

ABachelor’sdegree in Zoology, Biology, Life Sciences, or a related area is preferred. (Equivalent experience will be considered instead of a degree)

• 1+ year of animal experience, which can include volunteering, an internship,or other animal care experience.
• Experience with Cetaceans, Penguins and Otters, Sea lions, and Animal Ambassadors is a plus.

• Open water diving certification, or the ability to obtain certification within oneyear.

• Competent swimmer.
• Ability to work well with othersin adiverseteam environment and communicate proficiently with colleagues and guests.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to receive andapplyfeedback.
• Demonstrates commitment to growth.

• Work in an environment with daily exposure tocoldsalt water.
• Daily liftingin excess of40 pounds,periodic lifting upto
  50 pounds.

• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
• Vision and Dental…