Facility

Old World Wisconsin/Wisconsin Historical Society

Closing Date

Description

The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. At its core, the Society believes that increasing the public’s knowledge of history has profound societal, cultural, and economic benefit. The Society’s values are to Embrace a Spirit of Service, Engage our Expertise, Spark Enthusiasm, Cultivate Inclusion, Exceed Expectations, and Think Big and Grow with Purpose. Its collections, historic sites and museums, historic preservation office and extensive educational programs are focused on enriching and transforming lives through unparalleled access to history. WHS believes that increasing the public’s knowledge of history has profound societal, cultural, and economic benefit.

The Wisconsin Historical Society is seeking a leader for their Animal Care program. This position will be based out of Eagle, WI, at Old Work Wisconsin, but consults with multiple WHS locations across the state.

Reporting to the Administrator of Museums and Historic Sites, the Animal Care Specialist oversees the animal management program for the Wisconsin Historical Society and is dedicated to maintaining a standard of excellence in all aspects of animal care and management. The position oversees the operation and implements best practices of animal care at Old World Wisconsin (OWW), Circus World Museum (CWM), and Wade House (WH). This position also ensures the care of animals in presentations during events and that contracted animal providers adhere to WHS policies and procedures. This position will be based at OWW in Eagle, WI, but leads animal care across WHS statewide operations.

Core Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
• Formulate, develop and manage policies and procedures for the care of animals at all WHS museums, sites and outreach programs
• Ensure that the highest animal care and welfare standards are upheld and continuously improved upon according to established policies and procedures, and standards set by regulatory agencies.
• Communicate and implement animal care policies and procedures to DMHS staff and volunteers as well as vendors, animal providers, and community partners.
• Monitor animal care as part of WHS programs and activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with Site Directors in all aspects of the planning, development, and implementation of animal experiences and impact to operations.
• Lead the planning and implementation of daily feeding schedules.
• Monitor the health and care, both on- and off-site, of contracted animals used for museum programming and animal presentations to effectively communicate quality care standards to external stakeholders.
• Work with Site Directors to guarantee appropriate budgetary planning for purchases and staffing costs associated with animal care.
• Ensure Site Directors and Facilities staff assess and implement needed improvements to existing facilities housing animals or new facilities required based on established policies and procedures.

Education and Pre-requisites

A minimally qualified candidate will have experience in:
• Professional care of exotic, equine and/or livestock animals (i.e. preservation facility, zoo, museum, live action show)
• Creating and/or implementing policies and procedures
• Auditing and/or implementing animal welfare procedures for the professional care of animals

A well-qualified candidate will meet minimum qualifications plus have at least one of the following:
• Experience training animal care staff on safety and animal welfare policies and procedures
• Experience working in an interactive visitor attraction, entertainment based organization, or museum
• Experience with coordination of animals in public presentations

Compensation and benefits

Full time employment with a starting salary between $26.00 to $30.82 per hour depending on experience and qualifications ($54,080 to $64,105 annual salary), plus excellent benefits.

Application instructions

To be considered for this position, all applications must submit through the State of Wisconsin recruitment site Wisc.jobs. Follow the link to the direct application process: http://wisc.jobs/public/job_view.asp?annoid=104218&jobid=103732&org=245&class=09471&index=true