Animal Care Specialist

JOB OVERVIEW: 

The Animal Care Specialist is responsible for providing daily husbandry care for our animal ambassadors and live exhibits, including feedings, enrichment, and handling animals for educational outreach. This role includes maintaining and assisting in the repair/installation/construction of life support systems (LSS) for aquaria, enclosures, and rehabilitation facilities. The position works closely with Education interns and staff, ensuring they are trained and confident in animal care protocols and handling.

Interested candidates can start at an Animal Care Specialist I or II level based on qualifications and experience:

• Animal Care Specialist I: Candidates may have 0–2 years of professional animal husbandry experience.
• Animal Care Specialist II: Candidates should have 2+ years of professional animalhusbandry experience, including leadership of interns or junior staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Animal Care and Husbandry:

• Perform general husbandry duties: feedings, exhibit cleaning/maintenance, observation of behavior, logging food and diet changes, medicating, training and enrichment.
• Observe, identify, and report issues concerning animal health, behavior, and welfare.
• Administer and monitor medication as directed by Veterinarian or Manager.
• Design and implement species-specific training and enrichment protocols.
• Assist in veterinary procedures including annual exams, immobilizations, crating,etc.
• Inspect, clean, and maintain both exhibit and off-exhibit areas.
• Conduct routine maintenance on all animal exhibit and holding systems.
• Assist in acquiring, acclimating, and quarantining new species and learning their care.
• Lead and train interns or junior staff (Animal Care Specialist II only).

Communication and Collaboration:

• Coordinate animal handling schedules and training for Education staff (Specialist II).
• Meet regularly with animal care team, management, and veterinary staff.
• Interact with guests during formal and informal presentations, including animal encounters.
• Assist with writing and implementing animal care and enrichment protocols.
• Maintain inventory of food, medical, and miscellaneous supplies and communicate reordering needs.
• Support Conservancy special events as needed.

Safety and Emergency Response:

• Maintain safe exhibit, holding, and work areas.
• Adhere to safety protocols and respond to emergencies involving wildlife under management guidance.
• Safely handle dangerous reptiles and assist in animal-related emergencies.

Record and Documentation:

• Maintain weekly animal inventory and input records/logs accurately.
• Track supplies and communication reordering needs.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, zoology,or related field, or relevant trade school/certifications with equivalent experience.
• Animal Care Specialist I: 0–2 years of professional animal husbandry experience.
• Animal Care Specialist II: 2+ years of professional animal husbandry experience, with leadership experience preferred.
• Open-water SCUBA certification preferred.
• Candidates with prior experience handling or caring for reptiles are strongly preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Knowledge of SW Florida native wildlife and ecology.
• Strong observational skills to assess animal health, diets, and behavior.
• Proficiency with maintenance tasks, including plumbing, hand and power tools.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and evenings in varying weather conditions.
• Willingness to undergo training for handling dangerous exotic wildlife.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS

• Valid driver’s license with good driving record.
• First Aid, CPR, and DAN Emergency O2 Provider certification (or ability to obtain)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and use hands for tasks.
• Lift/move objects up to 25 pounds, occasionally up to 60 pounds.
• Exposure to Florida outdoor weather conditions.
• Visual acuity for close, color, peripheral, and depth perception.
• Moderate noise levels.
• Reasonable accommodations provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is an equal-opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions