Animal Care Coordinator, Recreation Arts Instructor (NCS) - Baltimore City Recreation and Parks

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

Salary Range:

$15.00 - $30.00 Hourly

Hiring Salary Range:

$15.00 - $24.00 Hourly

Get to Know Us

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or are interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits

Job Summary

The Animal Care Coordinator is responsible for the daily care, training, enrichment, and welfare of the Carrie Murray Nature Center’s live animal ambassador collection, with a particular focus on birds of prey. This position ensures the highest standards of animal care while supporting the responsible use of ambassador animals in educational programming that fosters curiosity, stewardship, and connection to the natural world. The position supports staff and volunteers in maintaining excellent animal husbandry practices, coordinates enrichment and training programs, and maintains animal care records, supplies, and exhibits throughout the center. Work takes place in a nature center environment including indoor animal care areas, outdoor aviary, the campus, and trails of Gwynns Falls Leakin Park. Work involves exposure to animals, animal waste, insects, cleaning chemicals, and outdoor weather conditions. Schedule may include weekends, holidays, and occasional evening programming as needed. Position requires adherence to all animal care safety protocols and wildlife handling guidelines

Essential Functions

• Animal Care and Husbandry
• Oversee daily care of animal ambassadors including feeding, cleaning, handling, training, and enrichment, along with weekly and monthly animal care tasks.
• Ensure proper maintenance of feeder insect colonies to support healthy and sustainable populations
• Support naturalist staff with daily animal care as needed
• Ensure animals have proper physical and behavioral health
• Support animals through natural biological events such as shedding, molting, egg laying, and other seasonal changes
• Conduct monthly health checks on animal ambassadors
• Perform health maintenance tasks as needed, ex: beak/talon care for birds of prey
• Coordinate veterinary care when necessary
• Make determinations regarding animal retirement and end-of-life procedures when appropriate
• Animal Enrichment and Training
• Develop and maintain species-appropriate enrichment programs that provide challenges, stimulation, and opportunities for natural behaviors
• Ensure animals are receiving a high quality of life through diverse forms of enrichment including habitat, sensory, food, social, toys, and training enrichment
• Ensure enrichment remains engaging and appropriate by testing and implementing new methods throughout the year
• Work with birds of prey in handling, carrier training, perch training, and preparation for indoor and outdoor programming
• Track enrichment and training interactions and adjust care practices as needed
• Animal Handling and Program Support
• Facilitate relationship building between staff/volunteers and animal ambassadors, particularly birds of prey
• Train staff and volunteers in safe animal handling, transport, and program procedures
• Determine when animals should not participate in programming due to conditions such as shed, molt, gravid status, illness, stress, or behavioral concerns
• Animal Exhibits and Facility Areas
• Ensure animal exhibits and enclosures are well maintained
• Maintain high levels of cleanliness in all animal areas including enclosures, food preparation areas, sinks, refrigerators/freezers, and storage areas
• Curate animal artifacts (feathers, sheds, pellets) for educational use
• Animal Care Records and Documentation
• Maintain accurate records regarding feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and health observations
• Review animal care records regularly and take action when necessary
• Evaluate animal care protocols and guidelines periodically to ensure alignment with best practices
• Animal Care Supplies and Resources
• Manage and organize animal care supplies and food inventory
• Prepare purchase orders for animal care supplies
• Purchase fresh produce regularly to support varied and appropriate diets for animal ambassadors
• Volunteer and Staff Support
• Provide training, support, and guidance to staff and volunteers assisting with animal care duties
• Assign and prioritize animal care tasks and coordinate seasonal schedules as needed
• Conduct check-ins regarding animal care work assignments and provide mentorship when appropriate
• Facilitate regular animal care meetings or check-ins
• Help recruit, screen, and onboard animal care volunteers
• Foster a collaborative and supportive animal care work environment

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Associate or bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, zoology, environmental education

AND

Experience: Minimum two (2) years of experience working with birds of prey, including daily care, training, and handling Demonstrated experience working with raptors using falconry equipment such as jesses, gloves, carriers, and perches Experience supporting raptor health care tasks including beak and talon maintenance, molt monitoring, and general wellness observation Experience providing daily husbandry for ambassador animals including feeding, enclosure cleaning, enrichment, and health monitoring Experience maintaining animal care records including feeding logs, enrichment documentation, and health observations Experience working with educational ambassador animals in a nature center environment, wildlife center, zoo, or aquarium Experience training birds of prey for educational programming or public demonstrations Experience coordinating volunteers or supporting part-time staff in animal care tasks

OR

Equivalency Notes: Have equivalent professional experience working with live animal collections in a nature center, wildlife rehabilitation facility, zoo or similar organization

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with enrichment planning and behavioral observation techniques
• Knowledge of Mid-Atlantic native wildlife species and natural history
• Familiarity with animal welfare standards commonly used by AZA accredited institutions or similar facilities
• Ability to safely handle a variety of ambassador animals including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a public nature center setting
• Knowledge of wildlife husbandry, enrichment, and training practices
• Ability to safely handle and train birds of prey and other ambassador animals
• Ability to observe animal behavior and recognize changes in health or welfare
• Ability to maintain accurate animal care documentation and records
• Ability to train and support volunteers and staff in proper animal care practices
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple animal care responsibilities
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with staff, volunteers, and visitors
• Commitment to humane animal care and animal welfare best practices

Additional Information

Background Check

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening, and must be successfully completed.

Probation

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-month mandatory probation.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodation should not be attached to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER