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SalaryAn exciting opportunity to work for the Forest Preserves of Cook County in the department of Conservation & Experiential Programming (CEP) to fulfill the department’s mission to connect people to nature through experiences that build lifelong relationships with the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the natural world.
The Ambassador Animal Specialist works at nature centers across the District and reports to the Ambassador Animal Program Coordinator. The Ambassador Animal Specialist strives to provide progressive, high standards of care to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of animals within the Ambassador Animal Program. The Ambassador Animal Program includes the routine daily care of AMBASSADOR ANIMALs, enclosures, and related facilities at nature centers as well as involving AMBASSADOR ANIMALs in interpretation activities and engagement with the public both on and off-site. Routine care of AMBASSADOR ANIMALs focuses on the day-to-day responsibilities of animal welfare, husbandry, trainings, and enrichment. As subject matter experts, the Ambassador Animal Specialist will act as the team point-person for AMBASSADOR ANIMAL best practices, mentoring, and training.
The Ambassador Animal Specialist is an important member of their assigned team(s) but can be asked to work with other teams. The Ambassador Animal Specialist supports the operations of the team where they are assigned which could include daily visitor engagement, outreach, youth development, and other duties as assigned. The Forest Preserves is a seven day a week operation and an Ambassador Animal Specialist needs to be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and evenings. Provides programming to Chicago Public Schools and other schools after passing institution’s background processes. CEP employees are Illinois Department of Child and Family Services Mandated Reporters for Child Abuse and Neglect.
Typical Duties
Supports the missions of the District and the Conservation & Experiential Programming Department.
General husbandry and daily care of assigned animals, including preparing and distributing approved animal diets, providing enrichment, and completing daily records.
Advances behavioral enrichment program by planning, implementing, and evaluating enrichment activities.
Serves on committees and teams departmentally and District-wide for special programming, projects, trainings, and other activities.
Serves on Animal Care Committee as assigned team liaison.
Administer medication and other medical care to live animals.
Assists with custodial maintenance of nature center buildings as needed as it pertains to animal enclosures and exhibits.
Maintains, prepares, inventories, and orders equipment, food, and supplies for AMBASSADOR ANIMAL programs and activities.
Inspects, cleans, and maintains both exhibit and off-exhibit areas.
Demonstrates critical thinking skills and the ability to maintain, train, and troubleshoot complex animal behavior daily.
Maintains detailed daily records of assigned animals.
Updates and maintains animal protocols as needed.
Participates in welfare discussions and conducts assessments.
Prepares and delivers animal-based, interpretive, and environmental education programs at nature centers, in schools, virtually, and at other District and off-site locations.
Supports Nature Centers, Zone Teams, Campground, and Outreach Teams at many Forest Preserve sites and offsite in the community such as at schools, community agencies, and parks.
Assists with assigned teams’ planning, implementation, and evaluation of AMBASSADOR ANIMAL related activities and programs.
Oversees and coordinates volunteer AMBASSADOR ANIMAL projects.
Represents the District to professional, community, and interest groups, and at workshops.
Provides support for youth development and job training programs run by the District.
Answers questions, informs, and advises the public in person and by telephone, email, and other communication methods, on a variety of nature topics pertaining to the District such as plants, wildlife, the environment, and other concerns.
Minimum Qualifications
Must possess an associate degree or higher in natural sciences, environmental sciences, environmental education, education, biological sciences, zoology, or a substantially similar area from an accredited college or university AND at least 2 years of work experience in wildlife management, zoology, or animal care and husbandry at a nature center, zoo, or other agency with live animals; OR possess a high school diploma or GED AND at least 5 years of work experience in wildlife management, zoology, or animal care and husbandry at a nature center, zoo, or other agency with live animals.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and enter the information in the license field provided on the online application.
Must be First Aid/CPR certified OR willing to be trained and certified within 10 months from date of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
Ability to communicate in Spanish or Polish; OR possess at least 1 season of work experience as a Seasonal Youth Outdoor Ambassador; OR at least 1 season of work with the Forest Preserves of Cook County; OR at least 1 season of work experience as Conservation Corp Crew member; OR at least 1 season of work experience on property of Forest Preserves District of Cook County (FPCC) with partners such as the Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Greencorps Chicago; OR at least 1 season of work experience with other partners such as Friends of the Forest Preserves, the Student Conservation Association, Cook County, or the Chicago Park District.
Requirements For Applicants
As an attachment to your online application, upload a PDF document containing an Ambassador Animal profile or care plan for an animal that you have cared for.
Must be prepared to present a brief introduction of the animal and the care you provided during the interview and answer follow up questions about your submission and your presentation
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
Knowledge and interest in Ambassador Animal trends, specifically, new concepts related to care, enrichment, training, handling as well as programming and interpretation.
Knowledge of animal husbandry, animal welfare, animal enrichment, animal behavior, and training.
Ability to maintain physical and digital logs and databases of daily care, feeding, husbandry, animal locations, and body conditions.
Ability to learn and identify local birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, herbaceous and woody plants.
Ability to interact with community groups and members of the public to keep program components responsive to community needs.
Ability to lead animal and nature-based, hands-on activities, interpretive programs, and events for a variety of participant groups, in a variety of settings that actively engages the audience and uses inquiry-based and experiential teaching and learning methods.
Ability to handle and care for live animals including mammals, birds of prey, other birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Ability to provide medication and other medical care to live animals.
Knowledge of and experience with behavioral enrichment and animal training programs.
Ability to adjust programming on short notice based on the needs of the audience and unexpected changes.
Ability to provide excellent customer service and communication and to demonstrate timeliness and professionalism at all times.
Ability to communicate well, including the ability to clearly articulate thoughts and ideas and prepare documents that are coherent, grammatically correct, and professional.
Ability to work with minimal supervision, to be flexible, to work well in groups, and to communicate with people from various disciplines and communities.
Ability to expand and adapt to changing departmental needs.
Competence with Microsoft Word, Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel (in a Windows operating system).
Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Ability to work outdoors in all weather and to facilitate a wide range of programs in outdoor settings.
Ability to perform various types of physical exertion, including, but not limited to lifting, pulling, pushing, and moving objects of up to at least 50 lbs.
The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.
Benefits Package
Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
Basic Term Life Insurance
Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:
http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/
Veteran’s Preference
When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:
Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
Identify themselves as a Veteran on their employment application by answering Yes to the question “Are you a military veteran?”
Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).
Veteran must provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.
General District Employment Requirements
PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR LICENSES MUST BE PROVIDED.
MUST BE A RESIDENT OF COOK COUNTY OR ESTABLISH RESIDENCY IN COOK COUNTY WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT AND REMAIN A RESIDENT AT ALL TIMES DURING EMPLOYMENT WITH THE DISTRICT.
MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED AT THE TIME OF HIRE OR SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WITHIN 1 WEEK OF START DATE.
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. We value our employees and the different talents, expertise, and viewpoints that each bring to the table. We believe a robust exchange of ideas results in better decision-making and we commit to providing a constructive, safe, and positive work atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and empowers individuals to thrive in their jobs.
