Maryland Zoo is an EEO Employer - M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status
General Summary: Under the supervision of the Director of Animal Facilities, the Exhibits
Specialist provides day-to-day monitoring, repairs and preventive maintenance
of all animal exhibit/holding/service area features, e.g. rock work, pools, hot wire systems, exhibit
furniture, plant material, animal enrichment, and animal caging. Additionally,
the Exhibits Specialist will support the Zoo’s mission to save wildlife and
protect wild places and contribute to its environmental, social, governance
sustainability, conservation, education, and DEAI (Diversity, Equity,
Accessibility, and Inclusion) goals.
Essential Functions:
Primary Functions:
- Assist Horticulture
department with landscaping and planting projects, as required;
- Provide seasonal assistance
with landscaping needs and pruning in and around animal exhibits;
- Provide repair and maintenance
of barriers, caging and
fences in and around animal habitats;
- Install and maintain hot
wire systems in animal exhibits;
- Move, maintain and grade
substrate to meet animal department needs;
- Advise and assist with
installation of new plant material in exhibits;
- Develop a schedule of
preventative maintenance for all animal habitats;
- Maintain a current
inventory of exhibit construction materials and SDS information;
- Assist with the storage of
chemicals per OSHA requirements
- Service and maintain department
equipment, including power tools and yard equipment;
- Provide training for
animal staff on safe operation of department tools and equipment;
- Assist Facilities
contractor with maintenance and construction projects, as required;
- Provide construction
services in the renovation of existing exhibits or exhibit features;
- Provide construction
services to assist in preparing new habitats for animal and staff use;
- Maintain certification on
power equipment such as skid steers and back hoes;
- Assist with pest control
measures and wild animal exclusion in and around animal habitats;
- Advise Animal department
management on current and new industry safety standards;
- Assist with snow and ice
removal and storm clean up, as required;
- Available on call for
nights and weekends, as required
- Perform other duties, as
assigned;
- Adhere to all policies and
procedures of the Zoo.
Communication (Internal and External):
- Actively
collaborate with all areas of the Zoo to ensure that exhibit management practices
are to the highest standards;
- Represent the Zoo to
guests, media, donors, zoo community associates, and the general public;
- Answer the
public's questions concerning exhibit management;
- Actively
collaborate with the other
departments to ensure that exhibit features in
public areas are maintained in good repair;
- Attend
area, department and All Staff meetings as required; and,
- Coordinate
exhibit management activities with animal department staff.
Management of Resources (Financial, Human Resources, Facilities):
- Recommend,
schedule and perform preventative maintenance services for all animal exhibits;
and
- Provide
repair/ maintenance service for animal enrichment devices, fences, gates, plant
material (in cooperation with the Horticulture Department), rock work, hotwire
systems, exhibit barriers and exhibit substrates.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
- High school degree
required, AA or bachelor’s degree in art, science, horticulture or mechanics is
desirable.
Experience/Training:
- Two to three years of
experience working in an exhibits/horticultural program at an AZA accredited
zoo or aquarium or related experience in art, horticulture or mechanical field;
- Valid
driver’s license;
- Experience
using heavy construction equipment;
- Fabrication experience;
- Proficiency with welding,
carpentry and concrete construction;
- Proficiency with
landscaping, pruning, and plant identification;
- Working
knowledge of industry and government
safety standards.
Traits Desirable:
- Ability to work with a
wide variety of individuals from ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds;
- Extremely
well-organized;
- Excellent
customer service skills for internal customers; and,
- Self-directed,
collaborative and detail-oriented.
Equipment:
- Must be able to operate a variety of
machines and equipment including telephone, two-way radio, motor vehicles,
electric golf carts, hand tools, gardening/carpentry tools, power equipment,
e.g. leaf blower, weed eater, lawn mower, chain saw or power washer and
construction equipment, e.g. backhoe, Bobcat, farm tractors, large trucks, and
welding equipment.
Working Conditions:
- Must be able to
exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 25 pounds frequently and/or a
negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull
or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those for
sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop,
kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb, balance;
- Must be able
to walk large areas of the Zoo as needed;
- Must be able to
work in an outdoor weather environment in all seasons and weather, including
heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions;
- Ability to
work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays, and special events;
- Must be able
to lift and/or carry weights of up to 50 pounds and climb a ladder;
- Exposure to
zoonotic diseases and risk of animal attack;
- Exposure to
potential environmental hazards such as poison oak/ivy, uneven terrain, insect
bites/stings, and Hepatitis B depending on the position; and,
- TB test and
physical required.
Benefits:
- We offer an excellent
benefits package including 24 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), Sick and Safe Leave,
and 2 paid holidays.
- Eligible for medical, dental,
vision, short- and long-term disability and life insurance.
- 401(k) with employer match.
Disclaimer:
The
statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being
performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not
intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties
and/or skills required of all personnel so classified. Therefore,
management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or
different tasks be performed when circumstances change.
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