Position Summary:

This position requires a dedicated leader who will work with the Director of Horticulture and Operations to support the rest of the Curatorial team in identifying, organizing, and carrying out the team’s goals in husbandry, horticulture, and guest-forward interactions with the public. This includes ensuring that all Curatorial team members and volunteers understand their assignments for the day and know who to contact when they need assistance. The position’s priorities are excellence in animal care, exhibit and plant presentation & maintenance, guest experience, and leading with positivity. This position reports directly to the CEO of Butterfly Tampa and Little Red Wagon Native Nursery.

Duties

• As a member of the Curatorial Team, you will:
  • Lead by example by being patient, kind, humble, respectful, honest and committed when interacting with guests and fellow team members.
  • Direct and assist in the daily, weekly, and yearly maintenance aspects of the Butterfly Tampa nature exhibits to include Bug Bungalow, the native and exotic invertebrate and vertebrate exhibits.
  • Monitor growing conditions for all plant species within the nature center’s exhibits
  • Assists in the horticulture tasks as needed
  • Acts in accordance with facility SOPs to meet USDA guidelines
  • Direct and function in tasks relating to the care of butterflies and non-lepidopteran arthropods
  • Identify, direct, and function in the keeping of records in accordance with the husbandry needs as identified by this position and in concert with the CEO
  • Assist in the care of birds in accordance with policies established if added to the education exhibit.
  • Greets and escorts visitors in and out of the Exhibits in a friendly and guest-forward manner.
  • Gives “keeper talks”, providing additional information on various program animals as needed. Welcomes educational/engaging guest interactions.
  • Ensure there are an adequate number of invertebrate species on exhibit during all the months of the year.
  • Coordinate collection of invertebrates with team.
  • Create signage content for new species and coordinate with project manager as new species are added with photographs for exhibit education signage.
  • Do wellness checks on all reptiles and insects each shift and ensure husbandry is up to exhibit standards.
  • Coordinate and review husbandry care sheet weekly that ensures the dietary, moisture and care standards are met and maintained for all animals in the facility.
  • Coordinate and manage USDA Permitting and Florida Fish & Wildlife permitting as required.
  • Facilitate supervised outside time for specified herps several times a week.
  • Ensure all USDA and APHIS standards are being met.
  • Train all herpetology and entomology husbandry staff and volunteers.
  • Communicate updates and changes regarding nature center and husbandry care team with CEO.
  • Create and maintain SOPs for all existing and new species in the facility.
  • Maintenance and upgrading of Lepidoptera collection in cabinets.
  • Identify research opportunities as time permits for our team to participate with.
  • Maintain exhibit areas at all times for visitors.
  • Maintain butterfly lab and ensure it is cleaned up at the start and end of each day.
  • Ensure exhibit lights are shut off at closing of exhibits on your shifts.
• As a Curatorial Team Leader, you will:
  • Monitor visitor behavior and safety in the nature center to maintain a safe environment for all guests, team members and animals by engaging and correcting in a professional manner.
  • Provide team members with their daily assignments and copy CEO for backup supervision as needed.
  • Maintain open communication with team members to identify team needs and support those team members that require additional assistance.
  • Provides guidance and mentoring for new team members.
  • Work with the Curator of Herpetology, Curator of Horticulture and CEO to identify weekly curatorial goals and ensure that progress is made towards those goals.
  • Maintain open communication with CEO as to updates and other items requiring their attention.
• All other duties as assigned by Little Red Wagon Native Nursery/Butterfly Tampa and Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation management.

Responsibilities and working conditions may include:

• Lifting, pulling, pushing of up to 30 lbs.
• Lifting of up to 50 lbs. with assistance
• Standing for up to 2 hours at a time
• Climbing up and down OSHA approved step ladders (3 steps) during maintenance duties
• Tolerating warm, humid conditions inside the exhibit spaces, outside, and supporting lab
• Tolerating intense sunlight levels outside in the garden space

Expectations:

• Ability to communicate and relate well to all ages of general public and with co-workers
• Ability to perceive and respond to verbal and visual direction, as well as surrounding environment
• Ability to work flexible hours to include weekends, evenings for events, and holidays
• Ability to work as part of a team in a constantly changing environment, as well as individually, with minimum supervision
• Must be able to follow all safety protocols noted in the Crisis/Emergency Manual

Required Experience:

• Knowledge and understanding of general biology and basic geography
• Experience in the practice and implementation of horticulture
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record
• Successful completion of background screening

CORE VALUES

HONESTY: Transparency in all aspects

INTEGRITY: Do what is right, not popular

DEDICATED: People, animals and environment

RESPECTFUL: Resources & Community

GRATITUDE: Who we are, what we do & the ability to create it

COLLABORATE: To better ourselves, our communities & the volunteers, staff and the general public.

Interested applicants email your resume to Anita@ButterflyTampa.com with availability for interviewing.