SUMMARY
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is a unique and high profile tourist attraction. We provide customer-service-focused education that promotes the appreciation of butterflies and other invertebrates and highlights the important role these animals play in our ecosystem. We value our positive work culture, prioritize a work-life balance, and encourage collaboration among our strong team of passionate experts.
This role will be part of the team responsible for regular maintenance, care, welfare and exhibition of our diverse live invertebrate collection. This person shall perform aspects of care including: feeding & cleaning of terrariums, and maintenance and upkeep of display terrariums.
The Invertebrate Keeper Assistant will work closely with the Naturalist and Conservatory Manager and will assist with a diverse assortment of Conservatory duties that reflect the immediate needs of the organization. Typical daily responsibilities of the Invertebrate Keeper Assistant include improving and enhancing our live collections and participating in visitor education.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responsible for the regular maintenance, care, welfare and exhibition of our diverse live animal collection consisting primarily of exotic invertebrates
- Perform all aspects of care including feeding and managing the live invertebrate collection, both on display and in breeding colonies, and maintenance and upkeep of display terrariums
- Help to interior-scape, clean, and maintain display terrariums
- Maintain organised daily records
- Work closely with the Conservatory Manager & Naturalist, Invertebrate Keeper, and Conservatory Supervisor to improve and enhance our live collections
- Prepare nectar and other food for butterflies
- Maintain the emergence window and prepare it for chrysalis shipments
- Help to unpack and glue/display chrysalis shipments
- Participate in visitor education as part of a team of talented and enthusiastic nature interpreters
- Assist visitors in identifying butterflies, plants and birds in the Conservatory
- Assist visitors in their discovery of the Conservatory and exhibits by engaging them in conversation about interesting/unique insect facts
- Help to open and/or close the Conservatory daily
- Follow the Conservatory's CFIA protocols with respect to maintenance of the animals in the Conservatory
- Assist with the pest management pitfall trap program
- Maintain a clean, organised & debris-free work area at all times to support the health of the invertebrate collections
- Ensure pathways in conservatory are tidy and free from slip & trip hazards including plant material
- Keep windows, surfaces, exhibits and signage clean in work and display areas
Additional Duties
- Other duties to support daily operations and customer service as assigned
- Assist other departments as needed
- Adhere to all Company policies, rules, systems and procedures which are outlined in the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory Employee Handbook, as well as all Health and Safety policies and procedures and safe work practices
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Education
- An interest in or pursuing post-secondary education in ecology, animal husbandry, zoology, or related field an asset
- Background knowledge in nature study, interpretation and education are an asset
Skills & Abilities
- Strong customer service skills and a high level of organization and attention to detail
- Ability to initiate conversations with visitors, and interact in a positive and enthusiastic manner
- Interest in insects, invertebrates and plants
- Willing to handle live creatures including but not limited to millipedes, cockroaches, stick insects, and caterpillars; willing to work with venomous insects (tarantulas, scorpions)
Certifications
- Police Background Check (Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check)
UNIFORM
Staff are required to wear the appropriate uniform, footwear and safety equipment at all times
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This is a fixed-term, part-time position. The shifts are typically from 8 am to 4 pm on both weekdays and weekends. The rate of pay is expected to be $18.00/hour.
All staff receive discounts for tickets, Gift Store merchandise, and food from the Chrysalis Café. CBC also offers an Employee Assistance Program to all employees.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and strive to create an accessible experience. We will accommodate in accordance with the Human Rights Code in all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
PROCESS
This posting is for an upcoming vacancy.
Don't meet every qualification? If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
We thank all applicants in advance; however, we will be corresponding only with selected candidates.
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 4-5 months
Pay: From $18.00 per hour
Expected hours: 15.0 – 30.0 per week
Benefits:
- Company events
- Discounted or free food
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Cambridge, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Are you available to work a schedule that consists of shifts on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays?
Work Location: In person
