The Role
Provides daily care for butterflies throughout their life cycle, maintains exhibits and records, monitors animal health, and delivers engaging conservation and educational programs to zoo guests. The role includes handling live and expired butterflies, training volunteers and interns, supporting special events and conservation initiatives, maintaining sanitation and safety standards, and working outdoors, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours.
Summary Generated by Built In
JOB SUMMARY
This is an entry-level position responsible for advancing the Dallas Zoo’s mission by facilitating experiential learning opportunities in a temporary butterfly habitat. Lepidopterists will actively engage guests and program participants through educational programming that inspires and empowers audiences to Create a Better World for Animals. Lepidopterists must be comfortable handling butterflies throughout their entire life cycle and interpreting topics relevant to the Zoo and wildlife conservation, as they relate to butterflies, to a wide variety of audiences on the Dallas Zoo campus.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Provide overall daily care of butterflies and exhibits to ensure animal health, safety, and welfare, staff and public safety as set forth by AZA, USDA, and DZM to include:
* Observe and monitor butterflies’ general health and behavior, reporting any abnormal behavior to supervisor and/or veterinary staff.
* Prepare and provide food for butterflies, following written instructions, provide water and administer medication as instructed to ensure proper nutrition and health;
* Clean animal exhibits, butterfly food stations and equipment, maintaining a high level of sanitation, conducting pest control activities and reporting any mechanical defects that would endanger the animal, zoo staff, and/or guests;
* Provide care for butterflies throughout their life cycle, including chrysalis handling, butterfly releasing, and clean-up of expired butterflies.
* Maintain accurate butterfly records.
* Proactively engage audiences through mission-driven experiences that inspire and empower audiences to take part in conservation actions on behalf of wildlife:
* Reinforce and encourage interest in wildlife through age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate, positive engagement with guests via programming;
* Actively inspire and empower audiences to develop an interest in and empathy for wildlife through positive and engaging interactions via experiential education programming focused on Dallas Zoo conservation priorities;
* Deliver education programs to groups of all sizes and ages;
* Keep current on conservation issues, interpretive techniques, and conservation psychology/community-based social marketing best practices;
* Maintain positive, professional relationships with Dallas Zoo staff, guests, and volunteers;
* Assist as new hire trainer for volunteers and interns as assigned; Act as a trainer for new hire Conservation Interpreters as assigned;
* Assist in the organization and maintenance of educational materials as needed.
* Collaborate with other Zoo personnel as needed to meet the Dallas Zoo’s mission. This can include, but is not limited to, assisting and participating in media events, special tours, and public relations projects;
* Participate in and support Zoo-wide initiatives, committees, and work groups; Understand and support Dallas Zoo’s Strategic and Master Plans and departmental goals;
* Follow all safety protocols and understand the position’s role in emergency procedures, responding to emergencies as required;
* Assist with the beautification of our park by removing litter and debris whenever you see it;
* Assist with and raise awareness for AZA SAFE programs and Dallas Zoo conservation efforts;
* Assist with other miscellaneous projects assigned by Dallas Zoo’s Education leadership team;
* Must be willing to support the Dallas Zoo’s Mission and Vision statement.
* Dallas Zoo is open to the public 364 days out of the year, therefore, all positions at the Dallas Zoo may require employees to work weekends, holidays, and evenings.
* Perform other duties as assigned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Two years of relevant experience in interpretation or a related field.
• Excellent presentation and public engagement skills required;
• Strong knowledge of best practices in interpretation required; National Association for Interpretation (NAI) certification preferred;
• Bilingual speaking and writing skills preferred;
• Excellent natural history and wildlife conservation knowledge with attention to scientific accuracy;
• Must maintain a high level of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity while performing interpretive programs on a regular basis;
• Must be comfortable working with and handling live and expired butterflies;
• Must be a flexible, efficient, self-motivated team player, and solution-oriented: finding creative solutions to complex challenges;
• Must be able to establish and maintain an effective rapport with all levels of management, employees, interns, volunteers, and zoo guests;
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, following instructions and documenting information appropriately;
• Ability to represent the Dallas Zoo in a professional manner at all times;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action;
• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull bend, climb stairs and ladders and carry up to 50 lbs.;
• Must be able to work holidays and weekends, both regular and irregular hours as required;
• Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance is an essential function of this position;
• Must be able to actively work outdoors in hot, cold, or inclement weather;
• Successful candidates must complete pre-employment drug screening, background check, and TB test;
• Must have a valid driver’s license to operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this job and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties to be assigned.
Skills Required
- Excellent presentation and public engagement skills
- Strong knowledge of interpretation best practices
- Excellent natural history and wildlife conservation knowledge with scientific accuracy
- Comfort handling live and expired butterflies
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, or inclement weather
- Ability to walk, stand, kneel, climb stairs and ladders, and carry up to 50 pounds
- Ability to work weekends, holidays, and irregular hours
- Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening, background check, and TB test
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
- Two years of relevant interpretation or related experience
- National Association for Interpretation certification
- Bilingual speaking and writing skills
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
Dallas Zoo is a nonprofit zoological organization and the largest zoo in Texas, caring for more than 2,000 animals representing 406 species. Founded in 1888 as the first zoo in the Southwest, it is owned by the City of Dallas but privately managed. Its work centers on animal care, conservation, education, and engaging visitor experiences, supported by employees and volunteers.
