Description:
We are looking to hire an enthusiastic and responsible applicant for a part
time Animal Care specialist with some Education Instructor duties.

The dual position includes primarily animal care for over 100 animal ambassadors which include mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and invertebrates. For the Education Instructor side this would include presenting programs at schools, day cares, adult centers, and community events. Echoes Of Nature is based in
Bowie MD and our programs are conducted throughout much of the state.
Programs involve presenting live animals and are hands-on with a focus
toward helping children and adults to develop awareness, appreciation, and
stewardship for the natural world. Presentations would include after school
clubs and weekends. There is a strong potential for this position to increase
with hours. We do run summer camps at partner locations. At this time, we
cannot offer health insurance or other such benefits. We have some
flexibility in scheduling hours to work with other commitments, such as classes
or other work.

 

Send resume and cover letter to EUzzo@EchoesOfNature.org

 

Responsibilities:

• Primary responsibility for Animal care:

  • Daily care of variety of live animal ambassadors. (Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds)

  • Duties include prepping of food for all of the animals, dealing with live food, such as crickets, and prepping bird of prey diets.

  • Interacting with and training volunteers for animal care, animal enrichment or at nature tables.

• Education Instructor:

  • Teach environmental education programs to groups of school children, scouts, birthday parties, adults and those with special needs. This includes all aspects of programming, including set up, clean up, evaluation, and follow up. Programs take place at off-site locations (client's location) and possible virtual programs.

  • Learn our environmental education curriculum and implement the purpose, goals and objectives of each program.

  • Help to develop new programs.

  • Prepare and maintain program curriculum materials.

  • Create a safe, fun, learning atmosphere for children while projecting a knowledgeable and confident image to parents and teachers.

  • Interacting with and training volunteers for animal care, animal enrichment or at nature tables.

  • Communicate EON's mission and project a helpful and positive attitude when interacting with the public, including EON members, teachers, and group leaders in person and on the phone. Position includes some administrative support.

 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or pursuing a degree in natural science, environmental education, or related field preferred but not required.

• Comfortable handling or learning to handle reptiles, amphibians, mammals, invertebrates and birds of prey (training provided).

• Comfortable with or learn to deal with variety of food preparation for all the animal ambassadors, which includes working with live prey (insects) and prepping meat-based food for birds of prey.

• Experience not required, but prefer at least 1-2 years prior experience in environmental education, outdoor education, or early childhood education.

• Knowledge of and passion for the natural world, with a desire to learn additional natural history information.

• Enthusiasm for working with children.

• Ability to lift and move up to 30 lbs.

• Ability to work both independently and on a team with minimal supervision.

• Ability to communicate effectively and interact well in front of an audience, on the phone, and in writing.

• Ability to operate common office equipment, a PC and related software. E-mail and internet access in order to check updates and program information on a regular basis.

• Willingness to work irregular hours.

• Currently eligible to work in the USA.

• Valid Driver's license and reliable car are required.

 

Compensation

• $15/hour during training period with $16/hour once training period completed (duration varies with level of experience), increases based on performance