Aviculturist

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is looking for an aviculturist to provide our avian collection with excellent animal care including the monitoring of animal health, accurate record keeping, maintaining cleanliness of animal areas, interaction with visitors and exhibit modification and design. This position will be responsible for coordinating avian animal health issues with the staff veterinarian, quarantine procedures and caring for the avian collection, as well as assisting in the medical care and procedures. She/he works collaboratively throughout the Museum and the off-site Batchelor Environmental Center in a creative environment and contributes to the efficient operation of the department. The ideal candidate will also have husbandry experience with reptiles and amphibians as they will be expected to cover these areas as well. This position works a schedule set by the supervisor and may encompass non-traditional days and hours and may be asked to report to work for animal care emergencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish and maintain an environment conducive to the health and well-being of all animals within the Museum’s collection.
• Completes inspection rounds of specimens, exhibits and reserve tanks to check status and identify and report potential problems. Resolves problems independently where possible.
• Prepares food and feeds assigned avian collection as well as cross coverage for fish, reptiles and plants in accordance with dietary needs. Cleans and provides daily maintenance to food preparation areas, food preparation equipment and utensils.
• Prepares diets and diet supplements according to established protocols to ensure nutrition and vitamin content are maintained to keep specimens at peak health. 
• Follows established feeding schedules and feeds appropriate amounts to maintain specimens at a healthy weight. Develops strategies to get inappetent specimens to feed. Monitors weights of specimens. 
• Observes and recognizes medical conditions that may require attention and reports observations. Discusses best course of therapy with veterinary and curatorial staff. 
• Administers medications and implements routine quarantine procedures as needed. 
• Maintains detailed, daily husbandry records and reviews records regularly to identify important trends. 
• Maintains current knowledge of all specimens under their care and their natural history (biology and environmental needs) and husbandry requirements through hands-on experience, upkeep with current literature, keeper exchange programs, and symposium participation (as approved). 
• Researches species to determine established or new husbandry techniques; Conducts literature review or hands on research. 
• Assists with animal physicals of specimens as needed. 
• Conducts animal interactions with Ambassador animals.
• Assists in development of Animal Ambassador program.
• Maintains cleanliness and artistic quality of the displays through cleaning acrylic and decor, scrubbing rockwork and removing debris to meet established Museum standards. 
• Cleans back-up areas including scrubbing, mopping, vacuuming water and pest control. 
• Participates in and presents at workshops, seminars, lectures, member programs and tours.  
• Responds animal related emergencies, at times after hours. 
• Provides back-up support to other departments as needed. 
• Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures 
• Ensures that goals for an excellent visitor experience are met and maintained.
• Other duties as assigned or required. 

• Works with Curatorial staff to initiate and oversee viable breeding, husbandry and conservation programs for particular species within the collection. 

• Assists with enclosure and exhibits improvements, by designing and implementing habitat enhancements. 

• Coordinates daily activities though effective communication with staff and volunteers. 
• Provides coverage to aquarist, herpetologist, and horticulturist staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of diverse avian species, particularly wading and diving birds and raptors, knowledge of captive and natural history to determine correct environment and diet for maintenance, breeding and/or exhibition.
• Knowledge of aquarium system operation including life support and the nitrogen cycle preferred.
• Knowledge of herpetological husbandry preferred

• Must have keen observation skills and be highly detail-oriented and adept at problem solving.
• Ability to problem solve and troubleshoot problems.
• Ability to decide when to act independently and when to seek consultation of curatorial staff. 
• Ability to mentor and train new interns, volunteers and staff. 
• Ability to develop and maintain professional business relationships with co-workers, volunteer staff, interns, colleagues at other facilities and outside vendors. 
• Ability to work holidays, weekends and a non-traditional work week as well as respond to after-hours emergencies.

• Skill in organizing resources and maintaining priorities.
• Skill in database management.
• Ability to use hand and power tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively to implement Museum and departmental goals.
• Ability to manage and impart information to a range of clientele, staff members and/or media sources.
• Ability to follow laws and regulations relating to the care of wildlife in accordance with the Museum and industry best practices.
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials using basic computer skills in Word, Excel, internet navigation, e-mail and spreadsheet programs.

• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.

• Able to work well with supervisors and staff.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Biological or Environmental Science is preferred. Associated degree in Biological or Environmental Science required.
• Previous experience in avian husbandry at an aquarium or zoo through volunteer work, internships or a full-time position (work in an AZA accredited facility is preferred).
• Driver’s license or ability to get one.
• SCUBA certified or the ability to become certified.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle, or feel; and talk and hear. The employee is required to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time, along with climbing and reaching with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move from to 50 to 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Must be able to work in high and low/ places.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those as employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Work is performed both indoors and in outdoor settings.  Outdoor work subject to temperatures up to 100 degrees, rain, humidity and sun.  

​Please apply: https://www.frostscience.org/careers/