Animal Care Assistant (Full-Time) | The Bio Dude Inc.

Animal Care Assistant (Part-Time)

The Bio Dude Inc.

Location: Webster, TX 77598

• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:15 PM
• Reports To: Operations Supervisor

Position Overview

As an Animal Care Assistant, your main responsibility is to ensure the health and well-being of the animals in your care while collaborating with the Animal Wrangler and Bug Wrangler. This involves feeding and watering the animals, monitoring their behavior and physical condition, addressing any health concerns, and maintaining a clean and safe environment. You will also provide excellent customer service by answering questions and guiding customers on the care and maintenance of reptiles and amphibians.

Job Duties

General Responsibilities

• Be a team player: stay organized, communicate effectively, ask questions, and collaborate with your team.
• Follow The Bio Dude Inc. dress code policy: maintain clean, neat, and professional attire and hygiene.
• Adhere to safety standards and maintain a safe, efficient work environment.
• Practice warehouse safety and effective communication with associates.
• Maintain accurate clock-in and clock-out records using the designated computer.
• Uphold company policies, standards, and ethics as outlined in the employee handbook.
• Assist management with spreadsheets tracking losses, mistakes, inventory, and daily operations.
• Follow OSHA safety guidelines.
• Perform additional duties as directed by management.

Animal Husbandry

• Care for and monitor the well-being of springtails, isopods, and other invertebrates, ensuring their health and reproduction.
• Monitor and create in-house cultivation for feeder insects like crickets, fruit flies, and roaches to ensure a continuous supply.
• Ensure the health and well-being of all reptiles and amphibians in the store; ensure feeder insects and invertebrates are properly gut-loaded and hydrated.
• Maintain proper temperature, humidity, and lighting for various species.
• Provide appropriate environmental conditions for each species, such as temperature, humidity, enclosure size, habitats, and substrates.
• Monitor and maintain clean, safe living environments.

Feeding and Nutrition

• Prepare diets for reptiles and amphibians, including live insects, rodents, or specialized reptile food.
• Educate customers about the nutritional needs of different species.
• Monitor and track feeding schedules to ensure proper nutrition.

Customer Service

• Assist customers in selecting appropriate invertebrates, feeder insects, reptiles or amphibians, and related supplies.
• Offer advice on habitat setup, maintenance, and handling.
• Address inquiries and concerns about caring for reptiles, invertebrates, and amphibians, including care, feeding, and compatibility.

Health and Veterinary Care

• Monitor animal health and identify signs of illness or distress.
• Support the Animal Care team by helping to maintain accurate and detailed health and medical records.

Handling and Interaction

• Safely handle reptiles and amphibians to demonstrate techniques to customers.
• Teach customers how to handle animals responsibly.
• Process and handle shipments of live animals based on the outlined shipping policy.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Clean enclosures, habitats, and accessories regularly.
• Replace substrate components, water, and food as needed.
• Maintain hygiene to prevent disease spread.

Inventory Management

• Support the animal care team by monitoring inventory levels of invertebrates and feeder insects to ensure consistent availability.

Education and Outreach

• Promote responsible pet ownership and conservation efforts.

Animal Enrichment

• Provide enrichment activities to stimulate animals’ mental and physical well-being.
• Encourage natural behaviors, such as climbing or burrowing.

Problem Solving

• Troubleshoot health issues, behavior concerns, or habitat setups with the animal care team.

Continuing Education

• Stay informed about the latest reptile, invertebrate, and amphibian care through training and research.

Technological Skills

• Contact center software (Nextiva).
• Email software (Microsoft Outlook, Front).
• Internet browser software (Shopify Ecosystem, SKULabs).
• Office suite software (Microsoft Office).
• Point-of-sale (POS) software.
• Spreadsheet software (Google Sheets, Excel).
• Time accounting software (HR Solutions).
• Word processing software (Google Docs, Microsoft Word).

Skills and Abilities

Core Skills

• Active listening and clear communication.
• Strong reading comprehension and written expression.
• Critical and analytical thinking.
• Problem sensitivity and decision-making.
• Time management and adaptability.

Interpersonal Skills

• Service orientation and social perceptiveness.
• Effective teamwork and leadership.
• Dependability and integrity.
• Concern for others and self-control.

Technical Competencies

• Deductive and inductive reasoning.
• Category flexibility and selective attention.
• Oral and written clarity and comprehension.

Work Activities

• Observing and obtaining relevant information.
• Communicating effectively with supervisors, peers, and subordinates.
• Handling and moving objects safely and efficiently.
• Documenting and recording information accurately.
• Performing general physical activities, such as climbing, lifting, and walking.
• Organizing, planning, and prioritizing tasks.
• Inspecting equipment and materials for defects.
• Using computers for data entry and task management.
• Scheduling work and delegating tasks as needed.
• Developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships.
• Solving problems and making informed decisions.

Education and Certifications

• Required: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Optional: Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Hands-on experience with reptiles, invertebrates, CUC, and amphibians.
• Certifications or training in animal welfare or ethics (preferred).

Competencies

• Attention to Detail: Complete tasks thoroughly.
• Dependability: Reliable and responsible.
• Cooperation: Maintain a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Integrity: Maintain honesty and ethical behavior.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Handle criticism and stress calmly.
• Persistence: Overcome obstacles and maintain focus.
• Innovation: Generate creative solutions.
• Social Orientation: Work effectively with others.

Role Summary

This role requires passion, dedication, and a genuine interest in the well-being of reptiles, invertebrates, and amphibians. By combining technical expertise, interpersonal skills, and a commitment to exceptional service, you will contribute to The Bio Dude Inc.'s mission of promoting responsible pet ownership and animal care.

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination/harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.