Temporary - Nature Based Activity Specialist (Animal Care/Austin Nature & Science Center/PARD

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

Activity Specialist (Salary: $21.63 per hour):

• Must have a High School diploma/ GED , and no experience required.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Appropriate certifications as specified for the assignment.
• May require certification in CPR , First Aid, Water Safety Instruction, or other areas as specified for the assigned class.
• Texas Class “C” Driver or Commercial Driver license if required for the assignment.

Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of the Temporary - Nature Based Activity Specialist is to provide care for exhibit and program animals at the Austin Nature & Science Center, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and invertebrates. Animal care is provided 7 days a week and 365 days per year. They ensure animal health through enrichment, maintenance, diet adjustments, and health support.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Driving Requirement: This position requires that you must have or be able to obtain a valid Texas Class “C” Operator’s License within 90 days of employment. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite . To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Must be physically and mentally able to work with participants adapting to a variety of conditions such as daily walking, hiking, climbing, standing, balancing, kneeling, stooping, running, bending, crawling, swimming, stretching and reaching in rugged terrain. Tolerate loud noise associated with enthusiasm and excitement. Ability to work outside in all types of weather and/or inclement conditions, and in confined spaces.

Other Information:

• Application Status Communication: Please note that you will be contacted if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process. Once the department is no longer hiring for this position, you may receive a notification informing you the position is closed and the hiring process is concluded.
• Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Pay Range
$21.63 per hour
Hours
Work Location/Schedule Notes:

• Variable schedule, 30 - 40 hours per week: Tuesday - Saturday or Sunday - Thursday; 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
• May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends & holidays.
• Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.

Job Close Date 11/08/2024 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Temporary Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location Austin Nature & Science Center - 301 Nature Center Dr. Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience caring for live animals, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and invertebrates.
• Experience in the safety practices and procedures of assessing the health of live animals.
• Experience in preparing diets and administering medications for live animals.
• Experience cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures.
• Experience in entering animal care records.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Safely facilitate and actively supervise participants at all times while engaging in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Develop, modify and teach program activities to accommodate various ages, abilities and interests. Regular attendance is mandatory for this position. Attend all sessions of scheduled staff training. Serve as a role-model, exercising appropriate decision-making and boundary setting. Utilize effective behavior management skills including enforcing policies fairly, consistently, kindly and firmly. Communicate clearly and professionally with participants, parents, co-workers and supervisor. Work cooperatively with co-counselors and other staff. Provide excellent customer service. Complete reports and forms and assist with maintaining records in accordance with City of Austin ( COA ) and Parks & Recreation Department ( PARD ) policies and procedures. Other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities - Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of youth programs and activities.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Ability to work with children and teens, including youth with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the City and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires a High School diploma and/or GED. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* In a few short sentences, please describe your experience in animal care including the institution(s) in which you have worked, tasks performed, and any specialized animal care training you have.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please list all current certifications and/or trainings related to this position:
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to obtain CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications within the first thirty (30) days of hire?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver license. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver license or, if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire one by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have the ability to drive a fifteen (15) passenger van?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).

* Please note that you will be contacted if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process. Once the department is no longer hiring for this position, you may receive a notification informing you the position is closed and the hiring process is concluded.

• Yes. I acknowledge and understand the statement above.

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents

• 

• City of Austin

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