What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal & Habitat Specialist position at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh?
Carnegie Science Center connects people with science, igniting curiosity that endures for a lifetime. Our Science Center integrates science and technology, offering immersive experiences like exploring the human body’s mysteries and diving into river science and wildlife wonders. Embracing the spirit of exploration, we proudly feature Mars: The Next Giant Leap and showcase USS Requin (SS 481) submarine, offering firsthand glimpses into space and history. Beyond these exhibits, visitors can enjoy movies on Pittsburgh’s largest screen, engaging live theater performances, thrilling sports challenges, and the fan-favorite Miniature Railroad & Village®. Committed to inclusivity, our position on Pittsburgh’s North Shore by the Ohio River ensures accessibility for everyone, while our outreach initiatives actively involve Pittsburgh’s vibrant and diverse communities, extending our impact beyond local boundaries to a national scale. Join us as we ignite curiosity and forge deep connections between people and the limitless wonders of science!
This Part-Time position is eligible for many of the Carnegie Museums' Benefits.
Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.
This is a union position.
The Animal & Habitat Specialist is responsible for performing a wide variety of tasks relating to the proper care and public display of all components of the Animal and Habitat department. Primary responsibility is for maintenance of installed systems and equipment, proper care of animals and organisms and for maintaining proper inventory of animals, organisms, food and maintenance supplies. Specialist is responsible for the coordination and training of part time staff, interns, and volunteers - and must be able to work independently.
QUALIFICATIONS:EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.
This Part-Time position is eligible for many of the Carnegie Museums' Benefits.
Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.
This is a union position.
The Animal & Habitat Specialist is responsible for performing a wide variety of tasks relating to the proper care and public display of all components of the Animal and Habitat department. Primary responsibility is for maintenance of installed systems and equipment, proper care of animals and organisms and for maintaining proper inventory of animals, organisms, food and maintenance supplies. Specialist is responsible for the coordination and training of part time staff, interns, and volunteers - and must be able to work independently.
QUALIFICATIONS:EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Prefer a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology or related field with experience in Animal Husbandry.
- Candidate must be knowledgeable in the care and sustainability of various organisms, primarily fresh-water fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
- Specialists work with the public as well as subordinates and must have good public speaking skills, ability to work independently, and successfully motivate and train a team.
- Must demonstrate excellence in customer service and have problem solving skills.
- Proficiency of computer programs such as Microsoft word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Candidate should have some technical skills or familiarity with electrical, plumbing, and mechanical experience.
- Work is primarily active.
- Use of ladders, scaffolding and water testing equipment is necessary.
- Ability is required to lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally to lift up to 80 pounds with assistance.
- May need to work in small, enclosed spaces.
- Completes or delegates daily feeding, cleaning, and maintenance procedures for animal habitats.
- Inspects habitats daily in order to ensure the safety and health of the animals and to provide the best possible public display.
- Completes or delegates water quality testing of all of Animal & Habitat components, daily topping of tanks and daily inspection of all systems, equipment, habitats, and organisms to ensure the highest quality exhibition.
- Provides educational content to the visitors through small and large format presentations. These include, but are not limited to, group “Behind the scenes” tours, camp presentations, specimen identification, general aquarium questions, and animal presentations with touchable animals.
- Guides, trains, and motivates interns and volunteers in order to produce the highest quality exhibitions and customer services.
- Follows safety protocols and all components of Animals & Habitat operation procedures and maintenance operations. Exceed compliance of these areas and ensures others are as well.
- Documents infractions and communicates with Supervisor.
- Assists with logistics including acquisition of supplies needed, unloading deliveries, providing feedback and technical support with system maintenance.
- Maintains detailed logs and observations of animal health. Provides routine health treatment including, but not limited to; nail/beak trims, first aid and dispensing medication as needed.
- Assists with special projects and assists other departments and teams within the Exhibits Division to ensure CSC’s successful achievement of goals.
- Keeps abreast of new animal and aquarium care and maintenance methods.
- Researches and investigates materials for continued education and job knowledge.
Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.
- GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job. When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below. Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function? The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often? Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential. G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it? If so, it is more likely to be essential.
