Position Title: Keeper Lead

Department: Husbandry/Entomology

Reports To: Assistant Curator/Curator of Entomology

Location: Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Type: Full Time

Who We Are

Audubon Nature Institute comprises Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and Audubon Wilderness Park

At Audubon Nature Institute, we are more than a collection of parks, museums, and conservation centers—we are a dedicated team with a shared mission to celebrate, protect, and connect people to the wonders of nature. Our work is guided by our culture code, which is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in Activating Impact by integrating tangible, real-world outcomes into all our initiatives, fostering a culture where every action contributes to a positive environmental impact. We are committed to Empowering Optimism, using positivity to inspire others to act and believe in their capacity to create meaningful change. We strive to Create Connection by engaging with people from all walks of life, knowing that the collective strength of a diverse community can address the most pressing challenges facing our natural world. At Audubon, we embody the spirit of Le Bon Temps, infusing the joy and vibrant culture of Louisiana into our everyday work, celebrating our unique heritage while advancing our mission. As Leaders of the Pack, we constantly seek smarter, innovative solutions, challenging conventions to drive the change we want to see in the world.

What You’ll Do:

Provide animal care to Audubon’s living collection at assigned facility-Insectarium or Insect Rearing Facility (IRF).

Provide education to the public about Audubon Insectarium’s animals and exhibits when working on the museum floor and occasionally off-site.

Provide proactive leadership to the team in daily operations of assigned facility.

Day to Day Responsibilities

Supervise animal care and exhibit maintenance, including, but not limited to, feeding, capturing and moving animals, enclosure setup, breakdown and cleaning, trash and debris removal, minor construction projects, filter maintenance, and providing enrichment items.

Staff mentoring in a professional setting with demonstrated success. Ability to provide guidance to teams on training, animal care, and onboarding for department.

Facility maintenance in animal care areas (sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, washing containers, etc.) including, but not limited to, trash and debris removal, minor construction projects, supply stocking, cleaning and upkeep.

Accurate recordkeeping for short-and long-term monitoring of health, behavior, tracking trends and advancing animal practices. Records of animal transfers between Insectarium facilities (IRF and downtown) and other institutions.

Participation in professional development via Audubon training department and outside sources. Willingly participates in AZA programs or other conservation- based initiatives.

Work with curatorial staff as a member of the animal management team on collection plans, decision making, acquisition and disposition of animals, enclosure purchasing, etc

Daily live animal presentations to educate visitors about our collection of animals, conservation initiatives, the interconnectedness of nature, and roles of arthropods in the ecosystems of the world. These interactions with the public will occur both on and off grounds.

Function as an interpreter and represent ANI as a spokesperson on media outlets, special tours, meetings, etc. 

Conduct behind-the-scenes tours for VIP’s, donors, and Audubon education programs as scheduled.

Supervise staff in daily compliance with all AZA and USDA standards regarding the health and containment of invertebrate collection.

Identify and correct both minor and major maintenance problems in a timely manner and report other, larger, maintenance needs to other departments. 

Work as a liaison between Entomology team and multiple departments of assigned facility.

Establish and maintain effective, efficient, and cooperative relationships with employees, senior administration, vendors, and customers.

Supervision of staff at assigned location. Besides supervising animal care, this also includes training staff on new protocols, providing constructive criticism, and otherwise providing productive and professional coaching of staff.

Additional/Overall Skills:

Maintain a positive attitude and a strong sense of accountability, fostering a collaborative team environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute.

Thrive in a team environment, using organizational and technical skills to ensure the smooth execution of creative projects that resonate with our audience.

Celebrate the successes of the team and bring enthusiasm to your work, reflecting the joyful culture that is at the heart of Audubon’s mission.

Stay adaptable and open to learning new skills, embracing change and innovation as opportunities to lead and grow.

The above listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

Must-Haves: (required for the role)

A degree from a recognized college or university is highly preferred, AND/OR a minimum of 5 years of paid experience in a zoological facility, public aquarium, or similar facility, OR a demonstrated and confirmed skill set via other comparable methods.

Minimum of 5 years working directly with arthropods in any of the following institutions: an accredited zoo or aquarium, a natural history facility, university, museum, or laboratory.

Previous experience supervising others and/or managing a section within one of the work settings cited above.

Extensive professional experience with the care of invertebrates with demonstrated success.

Extensive understanding of the principles of entomology.

Extensive understanding natural history, anatomy, behavior, and environmental parameters. Ability to identify and recognize health concerns with invertebrates.

Possessing a strong passion for arthropods and demonstrating this daily.

Complete understanding basics of professional animal care and welfare standards.

Ability to follow direction, act, and train others in accordance with all established protocols and procedures.

Ability to work independently and as a part of a team to facilitate daily animal care and excellence in welfare.

Demonstration of good decision-making skills with regards to human and animal safety.

Ability to accomplish multiple daily tasks within an acceptable/established timeframe.

Must be able to follow simple recipes (with insects as an ingredient).

Must be able to work weekends and holidays.

Must have access to reliable transportation to get to and from work duty locations.

Nice-to-Haves: (preferred for the role)

College course work in entomology, invertebrate zoology, biology, animal behavior, animal science, or related fields.

Cooking experience.

Staff schedule creation and ability to shift rapidly to cover absences when they arise.

ZIMS or other AZA record keeping experience.

Proven competency in the application of Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel computer programs is required, along with the ability to adapt to new record-keeping systems.

Physical Requirements:

Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Ability to sit for long periods of time.

Ability to walk or stand for long periods of time.

Ability to bend, stoop, and carry items weighing up to 30 pounds.

Adequate range of motion and mobility.

Regular near acuity with clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.

Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds.

Regular speaking and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language expected.

Ability to read, record, or type data accurately.

Working long hours between breaks or meals.

Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner.

Ability to handle exposure to high, medium, or low noise intensity.

Constant contact with co-workers.

Ability to work with people of all ages.

Exposure to fluctuations in temperatures and outdoor conditions.

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