Animal Feeding Specialist

The Animal Care department at the Lake Superior Zoo are seeking motivated individuals with a commitment to animal welfare and positive team culture to apply for a part-time seasonal position as an Animal Feeding Specialist.

OVERVIEW

• At the Lake Superior Zoo, we care for over 300 animals of a variety of taxa, including 30 SSP managed species currently.
• The primary role of this position is to run the day-of animal feeding experiences that are offered 7-days per week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
• This position advances the mission of the Lake Superior Zoo by providing the safe handling and feeding of the animal species at the Zoo; educates visitors about the animals, their diet, and natural habitats, and provides courteous assistance to the public.
• The Lake Superior Zoo offers day-of feeding experiences for visitors at 4 different locations each at 2x/day.
• The feeding locations are Brown Bears, North American River Otters, Barnyard and Red Panda.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Prepare day-of feeding diets for the 2.0 brown bears, 2.0 River Otters, Barnyard and 0.2 Red Panda.
• Practice safe feeding protocols and educated guests on how best to feed the animals.
• Practice appropriate disinfection protocols for before and after feedings.
• Operate a point of sale (POS) terminal and handle cash for feeding transactions.
• Track payments and guest numbers.
• Provide exceptional guest experience.
• Educate the guests on the animals they’re feeding.
• Maintain a clean and organized work station.
• Follow all LSZ safety protocols.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience Required

Minimum Requirements: 

• Must be 15 years of age Must have reliable transportation to/from workplace (commercial transit available) Skill and Ability Requirements:
• Customer service oriented
• Enthusiastic, outgoing personality
• Comfortable actively engaging visitors in meaningful encounters
• Enjoy working with and serving diverse populations
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, volunteers and the public
• Ability to be a contributing and productive “team member”
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to work safely, recognize safety hazards and apply proper safety precautions
• Willingness to learn about general zoo operations
• Ability to take direction yet work independently
• Willingness to perform a wide variety of tasks
• Detail Oriented
• Self-motivated
• Ability to learn quickly
• Scheduling flexibility to accommodate special events, and work weekends and holidays.
• Ability to remain calm and courteous with demanding/difficult guests and/or situations • Reliable and punctual attendance habits
• Be interested and enthusiastic about the zoo Competency and Knowledge Requirements:
• Basic computer knowledge and familiarization with Microsoft products
• Understanding of and ability to use basic cash handing principles
• Excellent customer service skills

Further Comments

• WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 exposed to outdoor weather conditions, and occasionally exposed to adverse environmental conditions such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, toxic agents, disease, pathogenic substances, airborne particles, and animal waste.
• The employee is occasionally in direct contact with exotic animals and is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; and work in high, precarious places, and in close quarters.
• The noise level in the work environment varies. Occasional loud noises from visitors, animals or equipment are experienced.
• 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 stand; walk, reach with hands and arms, use hand to handle or feel, and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance; stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move a minimum of 100 pounds with additional staff support.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Interaction with staff, guests, and animals requires talking and hearing.

Salary

• $11.00/hr