Animal Care Technician

JOB SUMMARY:

The Animal Care Technician is part of the terrestrial team in the husbandry department.  The Animal Care Technician is responsible for the daily care of the Great Lakes Aquarium’s diverse collection of avian species, mammals, invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians. While performing the essential functions of this position, the individual has regular contact with employees at all levels as well as contact with outside customers, suppliers, and vendors.

The Animal Care Technician will be working closely with the Curator of Terrestrial Animals. They will work closely with our resident Bald Eagle and Turkey Vulture. This person may also train and do programming with our resident American crow, as well as clean enclosures and provide enrichment. We also house two North American River Otters. This person will care for and train the otters as well. All training will be supervised by the Curator. This person will also be responsible for our Duck Pond which houses several ducks and several different species of turtles. There are opportunities to train some new behaviors with several of the above. They will also care for other various mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. They will assist with record keeping and learn to cover some aquatic systems. This position requires some weekend and holiday work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Animal Care Tech duties include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing and administering animal diets.


• Cleaning habitats and work areas.


• Testing and understanding water quality parameters.


• Maintaining life support systems.


• Maintaining accurate records.


• Observing animal behavior.


• Assisting with animal health issues including: working with veterinarian staff, animal observations, and administering treatments.


• Assisting with animal acquisition and quarantine.


• Following and assisting with operant training protocols.


• Writing and executing training plans.


• Passion for conservation and environmental stewardship.


• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage positively with diverse audiences, volunteers, and educators.


• Flexibility to work some holidays and occasional evenings.


• All other duties assigned by supervisor.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

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

Individual must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Individual must be able to communicate professionally with the public and during media events. Individual must have basic computer skills in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Access (or other database software). In addition, individual must also have and maintain a valid driver’s license. Scuba certification and ability to operate a boat is desired

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, or related discipline.

One year of animal care experience

Must have experience working with raptors

Experience working with turtle species/amphibians is also desirable

SCUBA certification preferred but not required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and/or WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment 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 essential functions of this job, individual must have ability to lift 50 pounds. Individual must have a flexible schedule for overnight, weekend, holiday shifts and extra hours when needed. Individual must be capable of working safely with exposures, which may include but are not limited to: dust, dirt, chemicals (sanitizing and cleaning products, chlorine, and aquarium water conditioning chemicals) and humidity. In addition, employee is regularly expected to walk, crawl, kneel, climb, work overhead, listen and talk.

While performing the essential functions of this position, the individual has regular contact with employees at all levels as well as contact with outside customers, suppliers and vendors. Individual must be able to work both independently and within a team.

WORK SCHEDULE:

40 hours per week, Monday-Friday with shifts starting at 7:30am. Usually one scheduled work weekend per month.

START DATE:

December 1st, 2026

BENEFITS:

Great Lakes Aquarium offers a competitive benefits package, as follows: 

• 401k through Ascensus, with a 3% company match.


• Medica health insurance, with the choice of a standard insurance plan or an HSA plan. Rates are determined annually. 


• Delta Dental provides our dental insurance. The insurance covers basic needs, like cleanings, and a portion of other dental needs, up to $1500 per person per year. 


• Delta Dental provides our vision insurance. 


• Life/accidental death & dismemberment insurance, as well as long term disability insurance through Unum. Life insurance is equal to one year’s pay. Long term disability is 60% of your income, or 70% minus any other sources of income, whichever is less. Long term disability starts after 90 days.


• Short-term disability insurance is provided through the state's Paid Leave system.


• New employees earn 4.0 hours of vacation per pay period. All employees earn 1.0 hours of Earned Safe and Sick Time for every 30 hours worked, per Minnesota state law.


• Free parking in the Aquarium lot, when available.


• Discounts at the gift store and for Aquarium programming, as well as free passes for friends and family.


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*Please note, insurance rates are negotiated annually, and may be subject to change as needed.