Animal Care Specialist (Herps)

The Animal Care Specialist is responsible for the comprehensive management, welfare, and development of Tree Frog Treks' living animal collection and the facilities, staff, and systems that support it. Reporting to the Program Director, the Animal Care Specialist serves as the primary authority on animal husbandry, welfare, handling, collection management, and animal-related operations across all Tree Frog Treks activities. The role combines animal care leadership with facilities management, staff development, procurement and budgeting, educational programming, conservation outreach, and organizational planning, working closely with educators, camp directors, administrative staff, volunteers, veterinarians, and partner organizations.

Responsibilities
Animal Welfare, Husbandry & Collection Management

• Oversee the physical and behavioral welfare of all animals (reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and other educational animals) and maintain species-appropriate husbandry standards.

• Monitor animal health, behavior, and welfare indicators; coordinate veterinary care; and maintain detailed care and medical records.

• Establish and enforce protocols for animal use in programming, quarantine, and emergencies.

• Coordinate acquisition, surrender, transfer, adoption, and rehoming, and build partnerships with rescues, sanctuaries, zoos, veterinarians, and breeders.

Habitats, Facilities & Equipment

• Design, build, and maintain species-appropriate habitats and manage environmental systems (heating, UVB, filtration, humidity, ventilation).

• Oversee office space cleaning, sanitation, and waste management; inspect spaces/enclosures regularly; and coordinate repairs and improvements with vendors and building management.

• Maintain a safe, functional Frog Hall with preventive measures for fire, earthquake, power/water failure, animal escape, evacuation and extreme weather needs.

Procurement, Inventory & Budget Management

• Manage purchasing and inventory for animal food, supplies, equipment, and program materials, balancing welfare, quality, and cost.

• Monitor expenditures and develop and adhere to a departmental budget.

Staff, Volunteer & Intern Development

• Train and supervise staff, interns, volunteers, and educators in animal care, handling, safety, and emergency procedures, developing standardized training materials, and enforce Animal Care procedures among staff.

• Establish and oversee the Animal Care internship and volunteer programs.

• Public Face of TFT in office, welcoming walk-ins and speaking to the mission and animal collection.

Educational Programming & Outreach

• Develop and support educational presentations on animal biology, behavior, husbandry, conservation, and stewardship.

• Represent Tree Frog Treks at schools, community events, and outreach opportunities.

• Manage the educational specimen and natural-history collection.

Summer Camp & Off-Site Operations

During summer camp and off-site programming:

• Develop animal ambassador and transportation schedules with Camp Directors, and coordinate logistics between Frog Hall, the 409 Shrader warehouse, and camps.

• Lead animal time training for summer staff. Supervise Animal Time and related programming, maintain animal-use records, and enforce limits on frequency, duration, and recovery.

• Monitor animal welfare before, during, and after programming.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly lift and carry 50+ pounds and perform demanding cleaning, habitat maintenance, and facility tasks.

• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, with exposure to animal waste, chemicals, dust, insects, and potentially dangerous animals.

• Work indoors and outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of reptile, amphibian, and invertebrate biology, behavior, and husbandry, with practical experience managing a diverse living collection.

• Ability to develop husbandry protocols, operational systems, and recordkeeping practices, with strong handling, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Experience training and supervising staff, and managing budgets and facilities.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; proficiency with computers, spreadsheets, digital recordkeeping, and office software.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Preferred Experience:

• Managing a zoological, educational, rescue, or sanctuary collection; developing animal-care protocols and staff-training programs; animal rescue, rehabilitation, or rehoming; habitat construction, aquatics, or facility maintenance; developing internship or volunteer programs; working with conservation organizations; grant writing, fundraising, or nonprofit program development.