Animal Care Specialist; Promotional

The Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo is a children’s museum and zoo dedicated to engaging children’s curiosity in science and nature. It is a place where children and their caregivers come to explore, discover, create, play, and get curious about science and nature. Animals at the JMZ provide children with age-appropriate examples of interesting adaptations, habitats, or wildlife conservation programs.

Special installations bring children nose-to-nose with some animals, while other elements encourage imaginative play, support whole body movement, and stimulate multiple senses.

The JMZ
houses over 600 animals representing more than 60 species. Educational experiences at the JMZ include in-class and outdoor science programs for schools and families, and summer camps—many of which incorporate ambassador animals that Animal Care Specialists care for.

The Palo Alto Community Services Department is looking for a full-time Animal Care Specialist for the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo to help manage the care and husbandry of its live animal collection, which includes mammals, birds, arthropods, reptiles, amphibians, fresh-water fish, and arthropods.

This full-time position serves as a mentor on the Zoo team at the Junior Museum & Zoo and helps coordinate the Zoological Assistants in group-oriented tasks. An Animal Care Specialist is responsible for one section of the Zoo, though is expected to maintain experience in all areas. The primary assignment is based on demonstrated knowledge and experience with the respective species, individual animals, and the facility and volunteers.

This position is represented by the Service Employee International Union (SEIU). The position is budgeted to not exceed 2080 hours per fiscal year (July - June).

• Actively works to engage each child’s curiosity in science and nature by facilitating interactions between guests and animals using inquiry-based teaching methods.
• Provides for the husbandry of animals, including but not limited to, preparing diets, feeding, cleaning; and maintaining habitats, related structures, and surrounding areas (including landscape).
• Performs daily observations of animals to identify, record, and communicate husbandry or health issues to zoo leadership and veterinary staff.

• Enhances the well‑being of the animals by coordinating specific enrichment programs that encourage natural behaviors.
• Manages and facilitates the training and enrichment of animals in their care.

• Services and maintains tools and equipment, including aquatic and terrestrial life support systems, while following all safety rules, regulations and procedures.
• Assists with the training of new Zoo staff, including Zoological Assistants, Technicians, Interns and Volunteers.
• Assists with veterinary procedures, as needed and appropriate.
• Other related duties as assigned.

A degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, OR a combination of applicable education and experience.

Applicable education and experience would consist of a certain number of years performing a similar job at a similar institution, and (potentially) educational pursuits that have supported that work.

For this position, specialized experience is defined as applying biological facts, principles, methods, techniques and procedures necessary for the care, study and management of living, exotic animals in managed care. Specifically, specialized experience refers to knowledge and experience in animal training, maintenance of water quality and aquatic life support systems, and/or horticultural practices.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work completed through service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Credit will be received for all…