Job Description
Job DescriptionSalary: $45,000 - $50,000/year
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, one of the nations oldest and most visited historical public gardens, is seeking a Wildlife Center Manager to lead the management and operations of the Wildlife Center. This role involves training and overseeing the Wildlife Center team and volunteers, ensuring effective animal care through operant conditioning techniques, and spearheading new programming initiatives to enhance guest engagement and education. The Wildlife Center Manager will also be responsible for maintaining animal enclosures, supporting veterinary care, and serving as the primary point of contact for facility coordination and program evaluation.
What you will be doing:
- Offer dynamic leadership to direct reports and volunteers and create schedules that maximize guest interactions. Ensure staff receive appropriate training and safety guidance.
- Engage with guests and stakeholders regarding the Wildlife Center and its mission, animal care programs and conservation initiatives such as supporting Marketing and media requests that relate to Animal Care.
- Collaborate with the Education department in the design and implementation of programs related to the Wildlife Center for tour groups, on-site events, school groups, and pop-ups.
- Establish and maintain animal husbandry protocols and procedures that meet and/or exceed all SCDNR, USDA, USFWS, and community standards. Update and maintain animal health, behavior, and training records.
- Coordinate the purchase, pick-up, and ordering of supplies and food.
- Perform daily husbandry duties for a wide range of animal species including but not limited to reptiles such as snakes and alligators, birds of prey, carnivores such as a bobcat.
- Observe animal behavior to be able to interpret and distinguish signs of unusual behavior which may indicate illness/injury.
- Perform deep cleans, routine maintenance, upkeep, and small-scale repairs of enclosures and holding areas as needed. On occasion requiring the use and operation of a compact tractor.
- Manage reconfiguration of enclosures and habitat development; install and maintain appropriate perching and enclosure accessories essential to species-specific husbandry requirements.
- Maintain tools and equipment used in daily animal care and exhibit maintenance.
- Represent a team-player spirit when assigned other duties as required.
Who you are:
- You are wildly passionate about animals and educating the public. Youve got a degree in a relevant field such as but not limited to Biology, Ecology, or Animal & Veterinary Science and 3+ years of experience (internships and volunteer work included) in a captive wildlife setting. Experience from a zoo, aquarium, nature center or comparable facility is preferred!
- Youve got a strong knowledge of the natural history of the southeastern USA, including identification, ecology, and conservation. You have the ability to interpret unique adaptations and behavior for a wide variety of native species found within the region.
- You are comfortable connecting with a wide variety of people, and do so by flexing your presentation style to meet the unique needs and backgrounds of the people youre with
- Youre tech savvy, and utilize technology to not just streamline and automate process, but to collect data to support decisions regarding the care and interactions with animals.
- As Magnolia is a tourist attraction, this position may require long-days and/or work on the weekends as needed. Were mindful that in order for you to be the most effective in your role, its important that you balance that work with time to rest, so we offer generous PTO and other benefits to support you.
Employee Benefits:
- Magnolia realizes the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offers a generous amount of PTO, Sick Days & Paid Holidays.
- Happy Birthday.. off! If you are scheduled to work on your special day, you can request 8 hours of pay.
- Magnolia contributes 80% of medical premiums for employee-only coverage and 40% to all other levels of coverage.
- No cost $10,000 life & accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.
- 401K retirement plan matching at 3%.
- If enrolled in our medical plan, access to covered MinuteClinic and Teledoc services are offered to you free or at a lower cost. Covered medical participants can also enjoy Peerfit (helps you stay active with monthly credits that can be redeemed for group fitness classes), Wellness tools (health assessment and online programs to help you meet your goals), Discount program (helps you save on health products and services), 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (helps in all aspects of life, from emotional well-being, legal and financial help), behavioral telehealth/virtual providers and services, no-cost diabetic meters and enhanced maternity program. Plan participants are also offered free, online will preparation with claimant support services and emergency travel assistance.
Employee Discounts
- Experience our history, horticulture and nature with your loved ones! Employees can host their immediate family members (on non-scheduled working days) to Magnolia! This includes free admission to the gardens and to all tours. If immediate family members visit during an employee's scheduled working day, eligible family members are welcome to visit the gardens with free admission. Please contact the Welcome Center for more information.
- Save 50% on all on-site venue rentals (includes standard fees), 40% off at our charming Gift Shop and meal discounts at our impeccable Peacock Cafe!
- Employees and their immediate family members can join Community Events for free!
- Enjoy discounted pricing for Magnolia's prime Special Events.
- Earn your Reciprocal Admission Pass after your first 90 days! This gold pass allows you and one guest free admittance to over 40 participating attractions such as: SC Aquarium, SpiritLine Cruises, Charleston County Parks, Children's Museum of the Lowcountry and many more!
- Team Members are provided company branded uniform items at no cost!
Training & Development
- No-cost continuing education training for current licenses that benefit both you and MPC.
- Limitless internal training and development opportunities!
Additional Perks
- It really pays! Referral bonus for an employee's referral that is hired and completes three months of service. $500 for full-time hires and $250 for part-time hires.
- 6mi of Biking and Walking Trails for you to use.