NYA Animal Care Associate - Mammals & Birds

NYA Animal Care Associate – Mammals & Birds

Join to apply for the NYA Animal Care Associate – Mammals & Birds role at Wildlife Conservation Society
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About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results  run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation:
Our reach is global; we discover through best‑in‑class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world‑class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

Title: Animal Care Associate
Positions: 3
Days: 32 hours per week each (4 days/week)
Salary: $19‑21 per hour
Period: March 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026
Schedule: Must be able to work weekdays as well as Saturdays, Sundays and holidays

Position Summary: The Marine Mammal and Bird Animal Care Associate (ACA) works in the Aqua theater Show area (Behavioral Husbandry Team) and the Sea Cliffs Exhibit’s Marine Mammal and Penguin areas. This individual provides all elements of basic animal care including but not limited to food preparation, cleaning kitchen and animal areas, feeding the animals, and maintaining basic operant condition training.

The ACA also narrates shows in the Aqua theater show area and communicates with guests during scheduled animal encounters. The ACA can learn to interpret exhibit feeds, and learn to assist with all daily functions of animal care pertaining to both the Sea Cliffs and Behavioral Husbandry Teams.

• Provide educational, dynamic and enthusiastic narrations to small and large groups.
• Perform with and without sea lions and harbor seals in shows in the New York Aquarium’s 1600 seat stadium, the Aqua theater. Animal handling is contingent on the individual’s experience and ability to receive and apply input as well as animal and team needs/growth.
• Participate in feeds and training sessions with California sea lions, harbor seals, California Sea Otters, and African penguins.
• Provide excellent interchanges with guests, by maintaining general knowledge of park attractions and amenities, answering questions and creating an excellent guest experience in accordance with the values and mission of the Wildlife Conservation and WCS standards of guest service.
• Assist Keepers and Trainers with training volunteer and intern staff and overseeing their growth.
• Maintain sound system equipment, stadium, stage and pool cleanliness.
• Work outdoors for long periods of time in a variety of sometimes extreme weather conditions.
• Assist the Behavioral Husbandry and Sea Cliffs teams in carrying out any additional operational duties.

• College level studies in biology or a related field. A bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least 1 year’s experience in a zoo/aquarium or other relevant animal care environment preferred. Understanding and application of operant conditioning preferred.
• Must have a current, valid driver’s license.
• Scuba certification preferred.

• Be physically capable of carrying a minimum of 50 lbs, walking on rocky naturalistic animal habitats, moving quickly from one area of the park to another, climbing stairs, and all other physical functions.
• Possess and maintain a positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and adapt quickly to changing priorities and schedules.
• Ability and versatility to work independently and as part of a team.
• Possess exceptional communication and public speaking.
• Possess good animal observation skills.
• Capability to work with and direct interns and volunteers in a respectful manner.
• Possess basic swimming skills.
• Must have worked in some capacity with domestic or wild animals or have done an internship at an animal facility.
• SCUBA certification and AAUS training a plus.