Facility

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Closing Date

Description

Starting hourly pay $16.50 and up based on experience

Summary/Purpose of Position: This position will work primarily in the Avian department and with the Texas horned lizard (THL) collection. This is a species that undergoes brumation and for the breeding season this employee will be 100% THL, with Avian staff coverage on his/her days off. During brumation, this employee will help out in other areas of the Avian department, and also at the Children’s Animal Center.

Specific/Mandatory Duties: This person will be responsible for, but not limited to:
• The daily routine of the Texas horned lizards—animals and facilities.
• Daily visual inspections of the collection, weighing as needed, feeding several times throughout the day, maintaining the feeder insect collection, including termite traps and collecting various species of ants to supplement the collection.
• Monitor and maintain small appliances: lights, misters, refrigerator temp/humidity, heat lamps, lighting, etc.
• Record daily statistics for each lizard and the overall THL program: temperature ranges within enclosures, humidity, monitor photoperiod, substrate conditions and activity levels of the THL throughout the day. Seasonal changes. Recognize and adjust husbandry parameters daily as appropriate to match the needs of the THL population.
• Secondary coverage of Avian department and the Children’s Animal Center
• The daily routine at the Children’s Animal Center. Coverage for when there is no intern, and for (extended—e.g. vacation) days off by the supervisor of the area.
• The Children’s Animal Center has some great herps too. California king snake, barred tiger salamander, African spurred tortoise, ornate box turtle, Sonoran Desert tortoise and Texas tortoise.
• Facility maintenance and repair as needed.
• Assist with maintaining the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken (APC) enclosures during the offseason by helping with weed eating and removal of Bermuda grass and juniper branches.
• Clearing and maintaining roads and picking up deadfall throughout the center.
• Spray Round-up under the hotwire around the flights and on the invasive thistle and nightshade.
• Well versed in the APC program, CAC and Animal Care specifics and FRWC in general.
• Physically able to lift and carry 55 pounds.
• Ability to spend up to 2/3 of the workday standing/walking.
• Ability to work outside in weather ranging from extreme heat (+100 degrees) to extreme cold—(below freezing) and in wet conditions.
• Ability to operate small maintenance equipment e.g., chainsaw, weed trimmer, mower and hand tools, and to be trained on tractors. Backhoe and dump truck, if necessary.
• Ensure compliance with Employee Handbook, Risk Management Plan, all other safety rules & procedures, the company vision, mission and goals.

The secondary responsibilities: Minor responsibilities with APC chick rearing. The person who fills this position will not be a part of the seasonal chick rearing team, but a year-to-year knowledgeable individual who will assist as needed with different aspects of the daily routine as time permits. Daily responsibilities of the Children’s Animal Center during absences of the supervisor and between interns, including occasional work with the supervisor to continue to stay trained in the area. All coverage of these areas by this position will be coordinated through the Avian Curator, Hoofstock and Rhino Curator, and the Director of Animal Care.

Education and Pre-requisites

Skills and Education Requirements:
1. Must be able to understand and follow directions.
2. Primary contacts will be the Avian Curator, internal staff members as necessary to carry out general duties of the position.
3. Must have a driver’s license and be over 21 years of age.

Work Requirements:
1. A full 40 hour work week requiring flexibility. Weekend days will be included in the work week, but will have two consecutive days off.
2. Available to work on holidays as needed.
3. May be required to work extra hours.

Qualities Required:
1. Dependability
2. Flexibility
3. Honesty
4. Self-motivation
5. Attention to detail
6. Dedication

Compensation and benefits

Starting hourly pay $16.50 and up based on experience

Application instructions

A review of applications will commence immediately. Interested individuals should submit their credentials as soon as possible for full consideration.

Please apply through our website (https://fossilrim.org/career-internships/). WE DO NOT accept applications via email. Click the “Apply for this Position” button, fill out the form, upload the required documents, and click the “Submit Application” button.

We are a Non-Profit organization and an equal employment opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected classification under federal and state law.

Fossil Rim is an “at will” and equal opportunity employer. It should be noted that it is company policy to conduct background checks on potential new employees, inclusive of testing for drugs and controlled substance use.