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CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Position Summary:
Wildlife Program Assistants support essential operations of the Wildlife Program within the Klingsberg Aviary and Litzinger Herpetarium at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center of Penn State University. This includes completing daily tasks like diet preparation, husbandry, enrichment, water tests, facility maintenance and record keeping. Assistants also work alongside and support students and other emerging professionals in comprehension, comfort, and completion of designated daily tasks.
This is an emerging professional’s position – the selected candidate can expect to be trained on the job and is expected to gain comfort and competence in higher level responsibilities over time. The candidate will be supported with career development and guidance from full-time staff.
Primary Duties:
- Support and ensure completion of daily tasks within the Aviary and Herpetarium
- Support students in completion of daily tasks of Wildlife Career Development Program
- Develop new skills in wildlife care and conservation under support of full-time staff
Position Scope:
Assistants are entry-level positions for Emerging Professionals with an interest in working with wildlife under human care. Assistants work with continuing full and part-time staff to support daily operations of the Wildlife Program.
Competencies Required:
- Effective Knowledge - no experience is required. Assistants will be trained in all aspects of the position, including animal behavior, husbandry, training, enrichment, and facility maintenance.
- Accountability and Self Management - the varying daily tasks require Assistants to manage their time effectively to accomplish time sensitive assigned tasks and support daily operations flow.
- Teamwork and Leadership - Assistants must work with a variety of staff and educational operations. Assistants must be timely and clear communicators and follow through on their obligations.
- Communication – Assistants are expected to communicate with full-time staff to prioritize a diverse portfolio of needs. They are expected to communicate workload balance and distribution, if they need support accomplishing their work, or if assistance is otherwise needed.
- Innovation and Problem Solving – Welfare and husbandry concerns, frequent changes in weather, and other unforeseen events require Assistants to engage in basic problem solving to address new situations.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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