Weekend Animal Care Associate

Are you passionate about animals and interested in gaining hands-on experience in animal care and education? The Art Farm is looking for a reliable and enthusiastic Animal Care Associate to join our animal care team on weekends!

This is a part-time position focused on completing daily husbandry tasks and supporting our weekend Animal Encounters program. The Animal Care Associate will help provide high-quality care for our animal ambassadors while also creating a welcoming and educational experience for visiting families.

The Art Farm is a unique children's educational space on the Upper East Side that brings together animals, nature, and hands-on learning. Our farm is home to a diverse collection of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and invertebrates. Through classes, camps, field trips, outreach programs, and animal encounters, we help connect city kids to nature while fostering kindness and respect for animals.

• Completing daily animal husbandry tasks, including feeding, watering, cleaning, and maintaining animal habitats
• Preparing diets for a variety of species
• Providing enrichment and assisting with routine animal care
• Monitoring animals for changes in behavior, appetite, appearance, or overall condition and communicating concerns to animal care leadership
• Following established animal care, handling, sanitation, and safety procedures
• Supporting our weekend Animal Encounters program by welcoming visitors into the farm
• Educating visitors about our animal ambassadors and encouraging safe, respectful interactions
• Facilitating approved animal interactions under established handling and visitor guidelines
• Helping maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming environment throughout the day
• Assisting with other animal care tasks as needed

• Reliable, responsible, and comfortable working independently once trained
• Passionate about animal care and welfare
• Comfortable working around, caring for, and handling a wide variety of animals, including rodents, birds, reptiles such as snakes and lizards, amphibians, insects and other invertebrates
• Friendly and confident interacting with children and families
• Interested in animal care, zoology, veterinary science, environmental education, or a related field
• Willing to learn and follow established animal care and safety procedures
• Able to communicate effectively with both coworkers and visitors
• Available to work consistently on weekends

Previous professional animal care experience is helpful but not required. This can be a great opportunity for students or individuals looking to gain experience in the animal care, zoo, veterinary, or animal education fields.

This position involves working in an active animal care environment with regular exposure to dust, fur, dander, hay, insects, and other natural materials. Team members should be comfortable with the physical demands of animal husbandry, including bending, reaching, lifting, carrying supplies, cleaning enclosures, and standing for extended periods.

Rate: $18 per hour

Position Type: Part-Time

Schedule: Weekend availability required