Animal Encounters Educator

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Are you passionate about animals and eager to educate guests through interactive experiences? As an Animal Encounters Educator & Attendant, you will play a key role in delivering engaging, hands-on educational experiences while ensuring the safety and well-being of both animals and visitors. This role rotates daily between overseeing interactive animal experiences, behind-the-scenes encounters, and leading educational programs, providing a dynamic and rewarding work environment.

BENEFITS OF JOINING OUR TEAM:

• Competitive hourly pay
• No nights! - off by 5:00 PM
• Free meal with a 6+ hour shift
• Unlimited visits for you and 5 guests
• Discounts on food and merchandise
• FREE tulips, strawberries, sunflowers, and pumpkin (with seasonal availability)
• $100 Employee referral rewards
• Shirt and name badge provided
• Staff appreciation events
• Seasonal bonus opportunities
• Opportunity for advancement to either full-time or part-time year round animal keeper

YOUR ROLE ON OUR TEAM:

Exhibit Attendant Duties -

• Supervise and manage guest interactions in the parakeet aviary, tortoise yard, rabbit barn, wildlife trail exhibits, barnyard animal petting area, and small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles building.
• Sell animal feed to guests and educate them on proper feeding techniques.
• Ensure the cleanliness and upkeep of animal enclosures, including waste removal and basic maintenance.
• Observe and report changes in animal behavior or health to the supervisory team.
• Engage with guests to enhance their experience by providing interesting facts and answering questions.
• Explain and enforce exhibit rules to promote respectful and safe interactions between guests and animals.
• Monitor guest flow and assist with crowd control for a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Assist in the preparation, sale, and distribution of animal feed for interactive exhibits.

Educator Duties:

• Conduct Zookeeper Talks and hands-on Animal Encounters, educating guests about various species in a fun and engaging manner.
• Safely handle and transport animals across the property for educational programs.
• Monitor guest interactions during Animal Encounters with prairie dogs, raccoons, capybaras, and sloths, ensuring the safety of both animals and visitors.
• Follow program scripts to deliver educational experiences in an informative and entertaining way.
• Adhere to all safety protocols and procedures for animal handling and guest engagement.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES HAVE:

• Must be 18 or older.
• Passion for animals and a strong commitment to their care and well-being.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with guests of all ages.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Strong observational skills to detect changes in animal behavior or health.
• Physically capable of lifting up to 50 lbs., standing/walking for extended periods, and performing cleaning tasks.
• Positive and patient demeanor when handling animals and interacting with guests.
• Comfortable driving a golf cart across the facility and around crowds of people.
• Preferred but not required: Prior experience in animal care, education, or customer service.

HELPFUL SKILLS (Not required but a plus!):

• Knowledge of basic animal behavior and care.
• Experience in public speaking or educational programs, especially in wildlife conservation.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Bilingual or multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply!

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work will take place outdoors, exposed to various weather conditions including heat and rain
• May be exposed to hot and humid environments, as well as loud noises and heavy foot traffic
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions

SEASONAL SHIFT OPTIONS (September 18 - November 2):

Full-time : Wednesday through Sunday from 9am-5pm

Part-time: Wednesday through Friday from 9am-5pm

Part-time: Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm

If you love animals, enjoy interacting with guests, and want to be part of a team that creates unforgettable experiences, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and help us inspire the next generation of animal lovers.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Seasonal

Pay: $13.00 - $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15 – 38 per week

Work Location: In person