Career Openings
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve is a private, professionally operated facility. We insist on a drug-free facility.
See a list of our institution’s and personnel’s credentials and professional affiliations below.
General Curator
Full time | Year-round
Responsible for the physical and mental well being over 700 animals in the Poikilothermic, Homeothermic and Safari departments. Supervises a staff of 10 to 16 full time and part time animal care persons and 10 to 14 seasonal/part timers. Reports to Asst. Director of Zoological Affairs. At least 5 years supervisory experience managing a public collection in a medium sized zoological facility required. College degree in biology or related field or ten years experience in zoo field also required. Salary commensurate with experience and competitive in the field. Please do not apply if you do not have the required experiences.
Handyman
Handyman
$14.00-$17.00 per hour
Seeking a general handyman to perform routine maintenance and repair. Basic carpentry skills are required. Plumbing and electric skills preferred. We currently have both full and part time available. The job setting will be outdoor, must be able to work in all weather elements. Must be able to lift 50lbs.
This is a position that has a considerable amount of independence and will require strong work ethic and organization.
You must have the following minimum qualifications in order to apply for this position:
• Good customer service, leadership, and communication skills
• Personable and trustworthy.
• Physical aspects of the job may require heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, climbing, and carrying.
Schedule will vary some, normally scheduled between the hours of 8-5, weekends and holidays maybe required.
Animal Care- Safari Staff
Animal Care-Safari Staff Starting Pay $14.00/hr
Primary Responsibilities
Animal observations-appetite, habits, disposition and physical appearance
Inspect enclosures, fencing, exhibit furniture for cleanliness and upkeep, preform minor repairs as needed.
Diet preparation and distribution
Sanitation including pressure washing
Provide species appropriate and approved enrichment
Record keeping
Assist with medical procedures and administer medication as directed
Preform other duties as assigned
Communication
Provide regular updates to the Curator on the condition and status of the animals in your area
Attend general staff meetings
Promote the Preserves Mission
Attend all staff training sessions as directed
Communicate with Curator and team members
Give Keeper Chats as directed
Share approved information and activities with our visiting public
Minimum Qualifications
Must be able to carry up to 50 pounds. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb, balance;
Must be able to travel large areas on foot (3 mile at a time)
Weekends and Holidays are a must
40 +/- weeks
Must be able to work in all weather conditions, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures and wet or muddy conditions
Must be able to stand and remain active for an eight-ten hour shift
Able to be exposed to bleach and detergents
Safari Driver
Primary Responsibilities
• Drive the Safari (5 ton 10 Wheel Drive Army) Truck at set times.
• Public Speaking-Learn and communicate set information to our visitors
• Keep truck and area clean and ready for visitors
• Restock and prepare feed bags for truck rides
• Other tasks as needed
Communication
• Promote the Preserves Mission
• Attend all staff training sessions as directed
• Communicate with Curator and team members
• Share approved information and activities with our visiting public
Minimum Qualifications
• Must be able to carry up to 50 pounds. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb, balance;
• Must be able to drive a clutch
• Weekends and Holidays are a must
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures and wet or muddy conditions
• Some mechanical skills preferred
Animal Care- Venomous Animal Keeper
Pay: Commensurate with experience and competitive
Moving cost not covered
Primary Responsibilities
• Venomous Animal Handling, shifting and feeding
• Animal observations-appetite, habits, disposition and physical appearance
• Inspect enclosures, fencing, exhibit furniture for cleanliness and upkeep, preform minor repairs as needed.
• Diet preparation and distribution
• Sanitation including pressure washing
• Provide species appropriate and approved enrichment
• Record keeping
• Assist with medical procedures and administer medication as directed
• Preform other duties as assigned
Communication
• POC for venomous incident SOP’s and healthcare support.
• Provide regular updates to the Curator on the condition and status of the animals in your area
• Attend general staff meetings
• Promote the Preserves Mission
• Attend all staff training sessions as directed
• Communicate with Curator and team members
• Give Keeper Chats as directed
• Share approved information and activities with our visiting public
Minimum Qualifications
• Three letters of recommendation including a veterinarian and license venomous propagator.
• Must be able to carry up to 50 pounds. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb, balance;
• Must be able to travel large areas on foot (1 mile at a time)
• Weekends and Holidays are a must
• 40 +/- weeks
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures and wet or muddy conditions
• Must be able to stand and remain active for an eight-ten hour shift
• Able to be exposed to bleach and detergents
Animal Care-Reptile Animal Keeper
Animal Care-Reptile Animal Keeper Starting Pay $14.00/hr
Primary Responsibilities
Animal observations-appetite, habits, disposition and physical appearance
Inspect enclosures, fencing, exhibit furniture for cleanliness and upkeep, preform minor repairs as needed.
Diet preparation and distribution
Sanitation including pressure washing
Provide species appropriate and approved enrichment
Record keeping
Assist with medical procedures and administer medication as directed
Preform other duties as assigned
Communication
Provide regular updates to the Curator on the condition and status of the animals in your area
Attend general staff meetings
Promote the Preserves Mission
Attend all staff training sessions as directed
Communicate with Curator and team members
Give Keeper Chats as directed
Share approved information and activities with our visiting public
Minimum Qualifications
Must be able to carry up to 50 pounds. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb, balance;
Must be able to travel large areas on foot (3 mile at a time)
Weekends and Holidays are a must
40 +/- weeks
Must be able to work in all weather conditions, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures and wet or muddy conditions
Must be able to stand and remain active for an eight-ten hour shift
Able to be exposed to bleach and detergents
Animal Care-Small Animal Keeper
Animal Care-Small Animal Keeper Starting Pay $14.00/hr
Primary Responsibilities
Animal observations-appetite, habits, disposition and physical appearance
Inspect enclosures, fencing, exhibit furniture for cleanliness and upkeep, preform minor repairs as needed.
Diet preparation and distribution
Sanitation including pressure washing
Provide species appropriate and approved enrichment
Record keeping
Assist with medical procedures and administer medication as directed
Preform other duties as assigned
Communication
Provide regular updates to the Curator on the condition and status of the animals in your area
Attend general staff meetings
Promote the Preserves Mission
Attend all staff training sessions as directed
Communicate with Curator and team members
Give Keeper Chats as directed
Share approved information and activities with our visiting public
Minimum Qualifications
Must be able to carry up to 50 pounds. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb, balance;
Must be able to travel large areas on foot (3 mile at a time)
Weekends and Holidays are a must
40 +/- weeks
Must be able to work in all weather conditions, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures and wet or muddy conditions
Must be able to stand and remain active for an eight-ten hour shift
Able to be exposed to bleach and detergents
Guest Services Attendant
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve is now seeking full and part time seasonal (March-October) Attendants. Must be at least 16 years old and be able to work outside during ALL seasons. Hours will vary between 8 am – 7 pm up to 25-40 hours per week.
The Gift Shop is a fast-pace environment and has the responsibility of being the first- and last- impression for most guests at the preserve. Therefore, a friendly nature and an excellent customer service attitude is required.
Required tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Working a cash register (admission, outpost, gift shop purchases, memberships, etc.)
- Provide guests with helpful information and answering questions
- Maintaining the gift shop and appropriate facilities in a clean, organized, and presentable manner
- Maintaining the outside of the gift shop (trash cans, sideways, etc.)
- Maintaining the restrooms (trash removal, cleaning counters, sweeping floor, etc.)
- Restocking shelves
- And more…
Guest Service Attendants provide an exciting and welcoming service for guests entering the preserve and a memorable experience for guests leaving the preserve.
Qualifications: Must be able to communicate well, follow instructions, work well with money, and be patient, alert, efficient, and courteous at all times. Should have a cheerful, courteous manner with a natural smile and be mature, level-headed, and not easily flustered by large crowds. Two years’ experience in a retail environment is preferred
Long-term efforts to sustain and expand the population of animals in protected environments have resulted in successfully breeding multiple generations of rare and endangered animals, including:
Ring-tailed and Ruffed Lemurs, Bengal Tigers, Sun Bears, Scarlet Macaws, Cottontop Tamarins, Geoffroy’s Marmosets, Jaguars, Australian Dingos, Asian Fishing Cats, Yellow-fronted Amazon Parrots, Swinhoe Pheasants, Booted Macaques, Tonkean Macaques, Yellow Anaconda and Monocle Cobra.
Our Maryland facility is:
- Institutional Member of the American Association of Zookeepers and a participating facility in American Association of Zoos and Aquariums Studbook records
- Accredited Member of the Zoological Association of America (ZAA)
- A member of the Tourism Council of Frederick County and the Maryland Travel Council
- A member of the Better Business Bureau and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce
- Founded the International Herpetological Symposium
- Organized and hosted the First Venomous Animal Husbandry and Safety Course in conjunction with the Frederick Community College and the American Association of Zookeepers
- Licensed by: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Inspection Services; U.S. Department of the Interior Animal, Fish and Wildlife Division; U.S. Department of Natural Resources of Maryland
- A participating facility in the Suitcase for Survival program hosted by the U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Featured in media including the Washington Post, Washington Times, Frederick News-Post, Hagerstown Herald, Baltimore Sun, Martinsburg Journal, WHAG TV 25, Hagerstown; and WJZ TV 13, Baltimore; Fox 45
- Provides live animal programs for National Geographic Museum Explorers Hall, National Academy of Sciences, Johns Hopkins Wilderness Survival Course students, National Capital Area Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout day camps, and hundreds of schools and learning centers throughout Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
Our staff members regularly attend professional conferences and continuing training, including those sponsored by:
- International Zoo Design Symposium
- International Herpetological Congress
- The American Association of Zookeepers
- The American Association of Zoo Horticulturists
- The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
- The American Association of Zoos and Aquariums
- Federation of Aviculturists
- The Feline Conservation Federation
- 1st University of Nebraska Medical School Symposium on Snakebites in the New Millennium
- The Zoological Association of America
- USDA Big Cat Symposium
- The International Turtle Alliance
Send us a cover letter, your resume,
and references:
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve, Attention Hiring Office, 13019 Catoctin Furnace Rd., Thurmont, MD 21788
Or email materials to administration@cwpzoo.com