Animal Caretaker at Ernie Miller Nature Center

Join the award-winning Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD) team and help make a real impact in this community! As part of our National Gold Medal Award–winning organization, you’ll help bring joy, adventure, and enrichment to millions each year. JCPRD welcomes over 7 million visitors to our parks and engages 3 million+ participants in more than 4,000 programs—and we’re still growing.

When you work at JCPRD, you’re joining a team recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for excellence in parks, recreation, culture, education, and public service. Enjoy outstanding benefits, retirement plans, employee incentives, and a workplace culture built on passion, creativity, and teamwork.

Named Best Large Employer in Johnson County for two years running, JCPRD is the perfect place to grow your career, make a difference, and have fun doing it. Come work where you play—and help us inspire healthier, happier lives for everyone!

The Animal Caretaker will care for the education ambassadors and exhibit animals that are in Ernie Miller Nature Center.

• Feeds and prepares food for all animals. (Animals include birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects, spiders, and mouse colony)
• Cleans all cages and animal exhibits, indoor and outdoor. (Aquarium, snake enclosures, recirculation pond etc.)
• Follow and record data on animal cleaning and feeding forms including aquarium.
• Keeps animal rooms clean and organized.
• Clean and maintain equipment. (Travel cages, bird feeders, aquarium filtration, bird perches, etc.)
• Communicate to staff members any animal issues (illnesses, injuries, or unusual behavior) and equipment issues.
• Disseminate medications and change dressings as required.
• Purchases animal food and supplies and notify staff when supplies will need to be ordered with sufficient notice.
• Works 10-12 hours per week, 4 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday), including holidays.
• Work with and train volunteers.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• Salary: $14.50/ hour.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum age 18 years and older.
• One-month related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. 
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

• Current driver's license and able to pass criminal history and driving background check.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. 
• The employee is required to sit; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.