WANTED: Experienced animal handler/educator who is looking for an opportunity to work with a wide variety of animals and use their knowledge to promote wildlife conservation through educational programs. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, The Creature Conservancy is an active and vibrant non-profit with the goal of “Conservation Through Education.” If you hold a similar belief, answer these questions: Do you enjoy working with exotic animals? Are you an engaging public speaker? Do you like interacting with people of all ages? Do you like to get your hands dirty? Are you someone who jumps into work and gets the job done? Do you want a job that has meaning and purpose?

If you answered “yes” to those questions, consider applying to be a Wildlife Educator at The Creature Conservancy. Your main duties and responsibilities would be:

• Providing daily care for our animals, including (but not limited to) feeding and enrichment

• Conducting informative and engaging presentations to the public to increase awareness and understanding of animals and the importance of conservation

• Interacting with the public during our Open Hours and leading private tours

• Participating in programming, such as summer camps, field trips, virtual and onsite education programs, as well as offsite programs

• Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations

• Maintaining records, inventories, providing other reports, as needed

• Cleaning animal enclosures and other exhibit areas

• Inspecting facilities to ensure the safety and security of the animals’ well-being

• Assisting with the training of new staff

• Other duties, as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, or a closely related field; plus 2-years’ experience in the care of animals in a professional setting;

• OR, Associate’s degree in a related field, plus 4-years’ experience in the care of animals in a professional setting

• Experience handling exotic animals

• Experience in public speaking

• Experience working with children and young adults

• Must be 21 years of age

• Must be able to work weekends, evenings, and holidays

• Able to lift 50-pounds without difficulty

• Must be vaccinated against COVID-19

Compensation & Benefits:

Full-time; $16-18 per hour (based on experience); paid time off; medical/dental benefits available after 60-days of full-time employment

How to Apply:

Submit a resume, a cover letter detailing your related experience and interest in the position, and three professional references to both Jorja Feldman & Steve Marsh at:

jfeldman@copperleafcrossing.com

smarsh@copperleafcrossing.org

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Job Description:

Are you looking for a unique position where you can utilize your plant care experience and knowledge of plants in a dynamic and engaging setting? If so, The Creature Conservancy is looking for an experienced and energetic plant care technician to oversee both its indoor and outdoor plants! While the focus of The Creature Conservancy is exotic animal care and education, our ultimate goal is to also include educational opportunities surrounding plant life. Therefore, this position will ultimately be engaged in creating educational materials related to our plants and the roles they play in conjunction with our animals in their natural ecosystems.

This position will be responsible for a variety of tasks related to plant care, such as: watering, planting, fertilizing, weeding, pruning, repotting, and maintaining healthy indoor and outdoor plants. The ideal candidate will be able to identify, evaluate, and treat plant diseases and pests following guidelines that are safe for our animals. This person will need to be comfortable with lifting and moving 50 pounds, using ladders, and working in enclosures with exotic animals (with supervision from our animal caretakers). The plant care technician will also be responsible for training and assigning tasks to our plant care volunteers. If you have professional or extensive personal experience working with and caring for indoor and outdoor plants, we’d love to hear from you!

20 hours/week, schedule is flexible

Compensation: $17 per hour (negotiable, based on experience)

Applicants must be 18 years or older and pass required background checks

Submit a resume, a cover letter detailing your related experience and interest in the position, and three professional references to both Jorja Feldman & Steve Marsh at:

jfeldman@copperleafcrossing.com

smarsh@copperleafcrossing.org

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Husbandry interns are hosted seasonally, with slots available in three yearly sessions. This unpaid position is arranged to meet college/university course required hours including animal care for our collection of over 80 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Interns have the opportunity to learn and participate in all aspects of animal care, including diet preparation and delivery, enrichment, health monitoring, behavioral training, and enclosure cleaning and maintenance. Opportunities to shadow tours, educational and special events, and other presentations are also included. Daily care and hands-on animal handling is limited.

The internship schedules are flexible and are based on college/university courses and The Creature Conservancy’s needs. In general, the hours are from 9am-1pm or 5-7pm. 

Priority is given to applicants with no planned absences (holidays included) and those who are pursuing degrees in an animal related field and are receiving college credit for their participation.

Deadlines
*Review of applications for Summer (May-August) begins February 10.
*Review of applications for Fall (September-December) begins June 1.
*Review of applications for Winter (January-April) begins October 1.

To Apply
Complete our application form, which will include a link to upload your resume and cover letter.

Questions
If you have any questions about the internship or the status of your application, email staffing@thecreatureconservancy.com.