The Lead Live Animal Keeper will coordinate Live Animal Keeper schedules, assign tasks, and ensure effective daily operations in any space where live animals are exhibited or housed. This person will work alongside Live Animal Keepers to perform routine feeding, cleaning, and veterinary care. The Lead will also assist in recruitment of new Keepers and act as a mentor for incoming staff and volunteers.  

Supervisory Responsibilities:  
•	Acting as a mentor for Live Animal Keepers and Gallery Interpreters in education technique, safety and protocol as it pertains to the Live Animal Program.
•	Work alongside Live Animal Keepers to perform routine feeding and cleaning of live animals, and coordinate caretaker schedules and assign tasks.  On a daily basis, ensure general operations are running smoothly in any space where live animals are exhibited or housed 
•	Be able to perform all tasks as they are described in the Live Animal Keeper position.
•	Act as mentor to Live Animal Keepers and volunteers.
•	Develop and distribute shift schedules for Live Animal Keepers. 
•	Monitor and report staff/volunteer performance to the Vertebrate/Invertebrate Live Animal Program Managers as it pertains to their subsequent areas of responsibility.
•	Document minor workplace infractions and forward all documentation to the Vertebrate/Invertebrate Live Animal Program Managers, and work to resolve minor staff issues.

Educational Responsibilities:
•	Interact with visitors, answer public inquiries, deliver education programs, and participate in public relations activities, in consultation with the Vertebrate/Invertebrate Live Animal Program Managers.
•	Serves as Museum advocate and interpretation professional relating to all live animal programs.
•	May assist in the development of new live animal exhibits and education presentations.

Technical Responsibilities:	
•	Monitors and troubleshoots all facility, equipment, husbandry and health issues as they relate to animal health and well-being.
•	Implements procedures recommended by consulting veterinarian.
•	Understands and can oversee the husbandry needs of the Museum’s live animals. 
•	Assures that supplies are well stocked in both vertebrate and invertebrate animal care areas.
•	Assures that all USDA, DFW, DEA, veterinary premise, and city permit requirements are adhered to.

Education, Certificates, Experience, or Licenses, required: 
•	Associate of Science degree in Zoology, Biology, or related field, or a combination of 3 years’ education and professional experience or accredited certification in exotic animal husbandry. 
•	Demonstrated knowledge of reptile, amphibian, and small mammal biology.
•	Experience working safely around venomous reptiles.
•	Experience with aquatic systems.
•	Experience as assistant in exotic veterinary care. 
•	Demonstrated ability to lead a team of keepers and volunteers.
•	Possess valid California driver’s license.

 
Additional knowledge, skills, & abilities required for this position:
•	Excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills.
•	Ability to act as a positive, proactive team leader.
•	Ability to search reference materials or confer with colleagues about husbandry and natural history of live animals.
•	Ability to cover shifts of fellow Live Animal Keepers including holidays, weekends and sick days.
•	Use of safety equipment and clothing to protect Live Animal Program animals and staff.
•	Ability to work safely and efficiently around live animals in a way that promotes well-being of live animals and staff.
•	Ability to walk, stand, work outdoors in variable weather, lift 50lbs.


Salary is commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt position. 

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until position is filled. Interested candidates please visit www.nhm.org/jobs and click the link of the position for which you are interested or you may go directly to the online application by clicking https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=8142231. 

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Please, No Phone Calls, No Fax. 


