Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Live Animal Assistant (Hourly)
REQUISITION #: req8562
DEPARTMENT: Cultural Services
LOCATION: MUSEUM/DISCOVERY CENTER
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly Hourly Employee Benefit Highlights.pdf
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
HOURLY RATE: $15.16 per hour
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT on 8/13/2026
The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Post-Offer Requirements

- Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)


While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

At the City, we
are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize
that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When
reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge,
skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum
qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to
view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best
prepare you for the role.

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

The Live Animal Assistant is a part of a team that is
responsible for the daily care and husbandry of FCMoD’s live animal collection
on display in the Animal Encounters area of the museum. This position is under
the supervision of the Live Animal Technician and works closely with the Technician,
other Live Animal Assistants, and volunteers. The Animal Encounters area of the
museum is one of the most popular areas on the gallery floor. Presenting
healthy animals in clean and comfortable habitats is critical to both the
health and safety of the animals as well as a high-quality visitor experience.

Caring for live animals is a 365 day a year job. The Live
Animal team usually spends 2 hours every day (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.) feeding
and watering the animals as well as cleaning and maintaining each animal’s
habitat prior to the museum opening to the public. Currently the museum has 24
different animal species whose husbandry needs are met each day. Working as a
team allows flexible scheduling among team members. Usually, each team member
works 6-8 hours per week. Holidays are covered in a shared and equitable manner
by the whole team. The ideal candidate would have some experience in the care
and handling of a variety of species ranging from arthropods to small mammals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
-Daily care and feeding of FCMoD’s live animal collection.
-Communicating with teammates about the status of the animals daily.
-Attending team and museum meetings when required.
-Occasionally interacting with visitors interested in the live animals.
-Presenting live animal programs to the public as assigned.
-Communicating with the Live Animal Coordinator any supply needs, questions of care, or any issues or concerns in a timely fashion.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory
responsibilities but will oversee the work of volunteers.

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly
required to stand, walk, and sit; extended periods of walking and moderate
physical activity required. Use hands to feel and manipulate tools and
materials and reach with hands and arms. Employees must frequently lift and/or
move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

QUALIFICATIONS
The requirements
listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required
to perform the necessary functions of this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
-Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, able to analyze situations, responding quickly to deliver effective solutions.
-Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
-Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers.
-Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
-Ability to keep and maintain accurate records.
-Ability to comfortably interact and communicate with the public which includes ages ranging from toddlers to senior citizens and people with a wide variety of abilities.
-Knowledge of basic computer skills such as email, and Microsoft Word and Excel.

VALUES-BASED BEHAVIORS
-Listens attentively to others.
-Asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other person’s views and assumptions.
-Works effectively in a team
environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly
cooperates with co-workers.
-Identifies and takes advantage of
opportunities for personal and professional development.
-Comes to meetings prepared and on
time; honors work commitments; follows through on commitments; meets
deadlines.
-Collaborates with other work
groups and outside organizations as appropriate, in a proactive and
responsive manner.
-Honors the private and
confidential matters of co-workers.
-Protects the proprietary and
confidential information of FCMoD.
-Follows rules, regulations, and
policies.
-Positively contributes to problem
solving and implementing changes.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
8th grade education and 1-2 years of proven experience and
success working with and caring for a range of live animals or equivalent
combination of education and experience. Prior experience working in a museum
environment a plus.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read,
analyze and interpret instructions, timelines, and standard business documents.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedural guides.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from
co-workers and the public. Bi-lingual English/Spanish a plus.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
None.

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The
City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and
employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws
prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate
behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being
adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any
behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee,
the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from
unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or
harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national
origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived
sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability,
age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status
or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any
other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In
addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the
City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee
who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government
health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City
employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions
giving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.