Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy is seeking an experienced part-time (22 hours per week) Animal Collections Specialist to join its team!

Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy plays a vital role in creating and energizing this community-focused, world-class urban oasis on the Brooklyn waterfront. A 501(c)3 non-profit, we bring this unique park space to life with more than 500 innovative and engaging educational, cultural, fitness and recreational programs each year. Our free and low-cost events create new and exciting opportunities for tens of thousands of NYC residents and visitors to learn, grow, and experience all that Brooklyn Bridge Park has to offer.

The Conservancy’s environmental education programs activate Brooklyn Bridge Park as a living laboratory for understanding the ecology, history and built environment of Brooklyn’s waterfront. The Environmental Education Center (EEC) is the home base for our thriving education programs and exhibits a collection of living species native to the habitats within Brooklyn Bridge Park. We’re seeking an energetic and experienced part-time (Monday, Thursday-Saturday) Animal Collections Specialist who is responsible for the care and educational usage of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s animal collection in adherence to its policies and procedures. They facilitate and deliver education programs that incorporate animal collections and contribute to the research, recommendation and development of best practices.

The successful applicant will possess a practical knowledge of industry standard animal husbandry and environmental science topics, such as urban ecology, zoology, and marine biology; and, have a proven track record maintaining life support systems and protocol for a variety of species including but not limited to; freshwater and saltwater fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. We seek a self-starter with a can-do attitude that feels comfortable working both independently and in a collaborative team setting and possesses strong time management and communication skills.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Maintaining and inventorying animal care equipment, materials, and food
Researching, updating, and advising best practices for animal care standards and documentation
Performing weekly tank and enclosure cleanings
Overseeing feeding schedules and food needs for all animals in the Education Center
Training Education Department and other Conservancy staff on animal care protocols
Maintaining functional aquarium system, including troubleshooting issues and attending to ongoing needs as required
Facilitating drop-in public education programs, including weekly Open Hours in the Environmental Education Center and seasonal Community Science seining and rod & reel events
Participating in the department-wide maintenance of education spaces and supplies
Representing and/or presenting at internal and external forums, including all-staff meetings, education-related trainings, expos, workshops and conferences
Staffing Conservancy-wide public programs, fundraising events, community outreach initiatives and other activities, as required

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Marine Biology, Animal Science or related field; AND, at least 3 years experience caring for animals in a museum, aquarium, zoo or equivalent professional setting OR,
High school diploma; AND, at least 5 years experience caring for animals in a museum, aquarium, zoo or equivalent professional setting
Master’s degree in Zoology, Marine Biology, Animal Science or related field, beneficial
Experience working with animals in an educational setting and/or facilitating public programs with animals

Working Conditions:

Programs takes place inside and outside in all weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow, etc.). Successful candidates will possess a(n)/the:

Willingness to get dirty and handle live animals;
Ability to crouch, bend, squat and lift up to 40 pounds;
Ability to stand for extended periods of time, walk across the length of the Park and navigate uneven terrain (e.g. natural shoreline);
Ability to work weekends and holidays as well as occasional extra hours for special programs;
Either a valid NYS driver’s license or ability to ride a bicycle, preferred.

This is an on-site position based out of our 99 Plymouth Street Environmental Education Center. This position reports to the Community Science Manager.

Compensation and schedule:

This is a part-time, non-exempt position, 22 hours per week, the compensation range is $25 - $30 /hour. The Animal Care Specialist is expected to work a 9:00am-5:00pm seven-hour work day on Mondays and Saturdays, and a 1:30pm-5:30pm four-hour work day on Thursdays and Fridays. Due to the nature of our programming and when the animal care duties occur, the schedule is non-negotiable.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy is deeply committed to an inclusive and equitable work environment. BIPOC, women, and gender-nonconforming candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We know that systemic inequities in hiring have caused people from historically marginalized groups to only apply to jobs if they meet all of the qualifications. We encourage you to break this statistic and apply, as no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.