Life Sciences Education Specialist (9723C), Lawrence Hall of Science

Company: Society for Conservation Biology
Location: Berkeley
Posted on: January 23, 2023

Job Description:

Life Sciences Education Specialist (9723C), Lawrence Hall of Science Life Sciences Education Specialist (9723C), Lawrence Hall of Science
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

Departmental Overview

The Lawrence Hall of Science is The University of California, Berkeley's public science center. Our mission is to inspire and engage through science discovery and learning in ways that advance equity and opportunity. The Animal Discovery Zone, one of four Learning Labs in the Lawrence's Public Engagement group, provides an opportunity for visitors to get up close to our live and friendly animal ambassadors in a safe and educational setting. This position involves the curation and maintenance of our live animal ambassador colony featured in some of the Lawrence's educational programs and demonstrations. The incumbent is also involved in the planning, developing, and implementing educational programs and demonstrations that enhance the public's understanding of the life sciences and conceptually related fields in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The incumbent provides administrative and operational support to the Animal Discovery Zone Manager related to maintaining a high standard of quality of life for our animal ambassador colony.

The Lawrence Hall of Science is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive organizational environment that fosters the success of the full range of our employees. We welcome candidates who have demonstrated the capacity to create inclusive work environments, work effectively on diverse teams, and serve the diverse communities with whom we currently work and want to attract. We are committed to hiring and retaining racially and gender-diverse, culturally competent leaders at all levels of the organization who reflect the demographics of our community and continually deepen their skills and competencies.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 11/15/2022.

Responsibilities

The Lawrence Hall of Science seeks a skilled leader with specialized knowledge in the care of live exotic animals and informal education in a science center setting. Under general supervision, the Life Sciences Education Specialists is involved in assisting with the care, maintenance and record keeping of the Lawrence's animal ambassador colony. The incumbent reviews and applies current, science-based research on best practices for maintaining appropriate species-specific health and behavior, and updates and prepares documents to assist Animal Discovery Zone (ADZ) lab assistants (UC Berkeley undergraduate students) with animal care duties. May assign and direct the activities of lab assistants and volunteers assisting with facilitating educational programs with the public, or in general animal care and habitat maintenance. The Life Sciences Education Specialist facilitates interactive animal ambassador presentations safely with live animals, and provides recommendations for new animal acquisitions to support educational programs and demonstrations. This position may also involve providing animal handling training and assisting staff from other program areas across the Lawrence with selecting appropriate animals for educational programs, demonstrations and camps.

Other position duties include cross collaboration with the Lawrence staff to develop and implement interactive educational programs for the ADZ and other related exhibits and Learning Labs, and to support visitor engagement and learning connections related to organismal biology and ecology. Additional duties include participating in the ADZ remodel project and long-term strategic program planning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Optimizes best practices for maintaining a high standard for animal welfare by developing training materials and procedure guides based on current, science-based research for the care of exotic animals including reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and arthropods.
• Provides animal care staff with work direction, operational support and on-going training as needed.
• Facilitates and trains staff on public education programming, adapting the program, pedagogy and materials to meet the needs of specific groups and a diversity of ages.
• Provides general administrative support, including organizing and maintaining supplies, and updating animal records and husbandry task checklists.
• Actively participates in the ADZ redesign and long-range strategic educational program planning.
• Collaborates with Lawrence staff to develop, prototype and improve educational free exploration activities and exhibit displays for the Animal Discovery Zone and related Learning Labs.Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree and/or equivalent training or experience.
  • Minimum 3 years professional experience with animal husbandry, including creating museum-quality live animal habitat displays and lighting.
  • Experience with handling and facilitating learning experiences with species similar to the current colony of Animal Discovery Zone animals, including thorough subject area knowledge of exotic animal natural history and ethology, as well as basic knowledge of appropriate species-specific behavior and its relationship to animal health.
  • Possess ability to understand, interpret and extrapolate applicable information from reliable resources and research studies on best animal care practices and ethology, and make recommendations based on findings, demonstrating organizational and problem-solving skills.
  • Minimum 2 years of experience facilitating and developing informal educational programs focused on ecology, conservation, zoology and/or a related field of the life sciences.
  • Experience managing and training animal care staff, volunteers, and professional educators to help facilitate program activities with diverse audiences.
  • Thorough knowledge of life sciences based educational program content and delivery, and developmentally appropriate practices, and effective pedagogy.
  • Working knowledge of informal educational techniques including the ability to engage diverse learners in experiences, programs, and exhibitions.
  • Thorough and effective verbal, written, interpersonal communication and public speaking skills.
  • Positive public service attitude and the ability to establish rapport with diverse public science center visitors, staff and volunteers and create an inclusive and engaging learning environment for all.
  • Commitment to teamwork-contributes to achieving group goals; supports team's efforts to succeed; balances team and individual responsibilities; willing to adjust schedules for the team; completes tasks on time; takes responsibility for own actions; reliable.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills-considers and responds appropriately to the needs and capabilities of different people in different situations; is tactful and treats others with respect; relates effectively to others when encountering difficult situations.
  • Computer Skills with business software systems and database software in the completion of work assignments (for example, Microsoft Office Suite and Filemaker Pro).
  • Possess strong organizational skills.
  • Capacity to work effectively, independently and with initiative.
  • Ability to work evenings, weekends and some holidays as needed.
  • Thorough knowledge of and/or ability to learn organization policies and procedures.
  • Physical ability to pick up and carry supplies (up to 50 pounds).Preferred Qualifications
    • Possess knowledge at a college level of science (biology or conservation and resource studies preferred).
    • Experience with exhibit planning, including the redesign and remodeling of a live animal exhibit.Salary & Benefits
      This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) non-exempt career position, which is paid bi-weekly and eligible for full UC Benefits. Hourly pay for this role is $27.09-$33.65/hr, commensurate with experience within predetermined steps.
      
      For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
      
      How to Apply
      
      Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment in the Resume section of your application.
      
      Other Information
      
      Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5:30pm, with occasional weekends and holidays.
      
      This is not a visa opportunity.
      
      Conviction History Background
      
      This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
      
      Physical Exam
      
      Employment is contingent upon passing a physical exam.
      
      Mandated Reporter
      
      This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.
      
      The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant see:
      
      https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf
      For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see:
      http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Keywords: Society for Conservation Biology, Berkeley , Life Sciences Education Specialist (9723C), Lawrence Hall of Science, Education / Teaching , Berkeley, California