Volunteer Aviculture Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ACS – Lory Landing Interpreter
Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio
Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.
The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
As a Lory Landing Exhibit Interpreter in the Aviculture Department, you will perform a variety of tasks related to the handling and care of animals/birds and their environments. As Exhibit Interpreters, you will also provide educational information along to the public through informal interpretations. Interpreters use exhibit graphics, biofacts, and live animals to deliver informative conservation messages in an interactive aviary.
As a Lory Landing Interpreter, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:

Daily Care

• Inspect, clean, and maintain both exhibit and off-exhibit areas.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to maintain, train, and troubleshoot bird behaviors daily.
• Maintain detailed daily records on assigned birds.
• Demonstrate the ability to assist other team members with their animal-related goals and challenges.
• All work must perform the following industry best practices, safety protocols, standards, and guidelines established by San Antonio Zoo, governing agencies, and regulatory/accrediting bodies.
• Upholds all company policies as outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures, Team Member Handbook, and Code of Business Conduct.
• Consistently exhibit an attitude of service inside and outside of the Zoo, showing hospitality to all.
• Be fully committed to the mission of San Antonio Zoo to create awareness that inspires action to care for the wild world we steward and animals we protect.

Safety

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in analyzing bird behavior concerns or emergencies, and to respond with the appropriate action
• Ability to work safely around delicate, wild, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous birds.
• For the safety of our internal and external guests, you must secure birds, their enclosures, and other associated structures.

Collaboration

• Assist veterinary staff in the treatment of the collection of birds.
• Assist in bird procedures including, but not limited to, translocations, veterinary practices, and crating.

Creating Community

• Engage with staff, volunteers, and VIP programs along with Zoo guests in/around exhibits, and training demonstrations.
• Promote active guest engagement through interaction with guests during both formal and informal discussions, during events, and as otherwise assigned.

Staff Management and Development

• Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relations with fellow employees.

Other Responsibilities

• Performs other work-related duties as required and assigned.

Your Skills and Expertise
To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:

• Basic understanding of aviculture, general husbandry, and bird anatomy.
• Knowledge of avian behavior and biology is preferred
• 1-year customer service experience
• Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relations with fellow employees.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills is preferred.
• Ability to handle, examine, and move sick, injured, or struggling birds safely and appropriately.
• Ability to handle, examine, and transfer eggs safely.
• One-year zoo keeping experience preferred.
• Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment drug screening and background check.
• Responsible for completing all online training courses by assigned deadlines.
• We enjoy year-round operation for all staff, must be available days, nights, weekends, and occasional after-hour assignments.

The San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.