Part-Time Animal Care Specialist

Part-Time Animal Care Specialist

Lake Metroparks Kirtland, Ohio, United States

Part-Time Animal Care Specialist
Animal Care Specialist:
Part-Time (Non-Exempt)
Rate: $12.00 starting hourly to $16.00 max hourly Pay Grade: [PT]
Location: Farmpark, Kirtland, OH 44094 Position Summary: Lake Metroparks is seeking an Animal Care Specialist to support daily livestock care and farm operations er the direction of the Livestock Manager, this position provides feeding, handling, health observation, recordkeeping, and routine maintenance for livestock and related facilities. The Animal Care Specialist also supports safe animal handling practices, assists staff and volunteers with established procedures, and contributes to educational programs and public experiences.

This part-time position may work up to 28 hours per week, including weekdays, weekends, evenings, and holidays as assigned.

Education and/or

Experience:

• High school diploma, General Educational Development credential, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required.
• Minimum of six months of coursework, training, or experience in animal science, agriculture, livestock management, veterinary assistance, or a related field preferred.
• Experience caring for, handling, or maintaining farm animals in a professional, educational, agricultural, or volunteer setting preferred.

• Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable under the Agency's vehicle insurance policy.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain required job-specific training or certifications as determined by the supervisor.
• Pre-employment background check required.
• Must be able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and follow an assigned schedule that may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Must be able to perform physical work associated with livestock care, farm tasks, and facility maintenance, with reasonable accommodation when needed.
• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively in a public farm environment.
• Must be able to operate approved Park District vehicles and farm-related equipment safely.

Required Training: All Park District employees must complete and maintain required training, which may include safety, fraud prevention, ethics, sexual harassment prevention, and additional job-specific training.

• Follow applicable safety procedures, report hazards or incidents promptly, and support a safe environment for program participants, visitors, volunteers, and staff.
• Provide daily livestock care, including feeding, watering, handling, observing behavior, and monitoring general health and welfare.
• Maintain clean, safe, and sanitary animal areas, including pens, stalls, barns, bedding, feeders, waterers, and related work spaces.
• Order, receive, store, and monitor feed, supplements, bedding, and animal care supplies as directed.
• Complete assigned feeding schedules, including evening, weekend, and holiday coverage as needed.
• Identify signs of illness, injury, or unusual behavior; communicate concerns promptly; assist with veterinary care; and administer medications, vaccinations, or treatments as directed and within approved procedures.
• Assist with species-specific care, breeding support, pregnancy monitoring, newborn care, and related livestock management activities as assigned.
• Maintain accurate animal care records, including health observations, treatments, feed usage, breeding information, inventory, and other required documentation.
• Support safe animal handling practices and assist with training staff and volunteers in livestock handling, restraint, demonstrations, and animal care procedures.
• Assist with public programs, demonstrations, tours, and special events involving livestock or farm operations.
• Operate approved vehicles, trailers, tools, and farm-related equipment safely and in accordance with Park District procedures.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs related to animal areas, fencing, gates, water lines, feeders, sheds, and related farm facilities.
• Provide input for animal care manuals, written materials, supply inventories, and other documentation related to…