The Animal Discovery Zone (ADZ) houses over 40 live animal ambassadors (reptiles, mammals, amphibians, insects, etc.) at The Lawrence Hall of Science. ADZ Animal Caretakers & Facilitators provide care for the animals in this exhibit space and facilitate experiences for visitors of all ages to observe and interact with our animal ambassadors, educating them about the behavior, conservation needs and habitats of exotic species. If you love animals and children, please apply!

Student Assistant II
Starting Pay Range: $18.67-18.92, dependent on experience

Hiring Timeline

We might not hire every semester, depending on current staffing levels. Applications received after “apply before” dates may be deferred to the next term. Off-season hiring happens occasionally based on operational needs.

Scope Overview

We are currently looking for student staff available to work from summer to fall 2025, or longer. This is not your typical campus lab position. This job integrates animal care and education. Our animal care team’s main duties consist of providing the daily care needed to maintain a healthy animal colony, and interacting and engaging with visitors in the Animal Discovery Zone. Visitors consist mostly of school groups (primarily elementary-aged) and families with young children. This position also involves working with and supporting ADZ youth and adult volunteers. Training guides and on-the-job-training will be provided and generally takes 1-2 months to complete.

Time Commitment

Work hours are between 9am-5:30pm, Sun-Sat. This is NOT just a school break (winter or summer) position, and Animal Caretaker and Facilitator student assistants are encouraged to commit to at least 2 semesters. ***Animal care is a big commitment and animals must be cared for 7 days a week, regardless of holidays or weekends.*** 

On weekdays, the Hill Shuttle leaves from Hearst mining circle every half hour and goes directly to the Lawrence Hall of Science. There is no direct public transportation option on weekends. Weekends and holidays will require carpooling with other staff or driving your own vehicle. 

Key Responsibilities

• Upholds the daily quality of life for the ADZ animal ambassador colony, including feeding; watering; monitoring habitat parameters; providing enrichment; communicating health concerns; providing medication as needed (usually oral or topical treatment); etc.
• Maintains and creates functional, species-appropriate and safe enclosure habitats for an aesthetically pleasing and enriching display for our animal ambassadors and the public to enjoy.
• Delivers basic public educational program presentations both informally (in conversation with a small number of guests) and/or in a more structured manner (a presentation for a bigger audience or guided activity for a school group)
• Participates in professional learning with peers and independently, including attending monthly ADZ staff meetings, practicing safe animal handling, and reviewing animal care guides and resources. Engages in critical self-reflection to develop as an informal educator over time.
• Guides and supports ADZ adult volunteers. Mentors, provides work direction and trains youth volunteers assisting in the ADZ.
• Miscellaneous husbandry, administrative and lab duties: mopping, sweeping, data entry, maintaining an organized and clean work space.

Knowledge or Skills

Required:

• You must be currently enrolled as a UC Berkeley undergraduate student
• School breaks (winter, spring, summer) require a minimum of 16-35 hours/week, including 1 weekend day. When school is in session (spring/fall/summer school), availability to work 12-19.5 hours/week is required, including weekdays and at least 1 full (8hr) weekend day, as well as some holidays and school breaks. 
• Ability to work for an extended period in a fast-paced and occasionally loud environment
• Effective reading, verbal, written communication and presentation skills.
• Basic understanding of what is involved in taking care of animals and previous experience with being the primary caretaker for an animal, including pets.
• Previous experience with or interest in learning how to handle a diversity of exotic animals, including snakes, spiders and insects.
• Enjoys interacting with children and adults
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs.
• Reliable transportation to The Lawrence Hall of Science on weekends and holidays (public transit is only available Mon-Fri; carpooling with other staff is an option)

Preferred:

• Previous experience with or ongoing interest in informal education, science communication and customer service best practices preferred. 
• Flexible schedule and availability for 2 semesters preferred. Prefer applicants who are available for all or winter and/or summer breaks. 
• Experience in mentoring students 14-17 years of age preferred (background check required for working with minors). 
• Experience working with the public, including young children, in an educational setting is also preferred. Prior experience with reptiles and their unique husbandry needs is a plus.

To Apply

Send the following to Alondra Blandon at ablandon@berkeley.edu with the subject line: ADZ Student Position Application:

1. A screenshot of your summer school schedule, including what session(s) you’re taking, if applicable
2. Resume/CV
3. Cover letter

• Accepted a new Working Towards Racial Equity (WTRE) cohort.
• Wrapped up initial research and evaluation on cohorts 1 & 2 of WTRE “1.0”
• Submitted 5 grant proposals, including:
  • Affirming Youth and Communities in Outdoor Environmental Learning
  • Building Teacher Leadership for Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Outdoor STEM Experiences
  • Rightful Presence: Transforming Public Science with Ohlone Perspectives
  • Conference: Elevating Joy, Power, and Leadership of Professionals of Color in Environmental Learning through Radical Storytelling
  • Lawrence STEM Pathways Scholars Program: Empowering the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders
• Launched 3 new National Science Foundation-funded projects
  • Understanding the Impact of Outdoor Science and Environmental Learning Through Community-Driven Outcomes
  • Centering Indigenous Science in K-12 Science Instructional Materials
  • Working Toward Racial Equity: Building Capacity to Institutionalize Equity in Outdoor and Environmental Science Education
• Submitted papers for publication, like…
  • Romero, V. F., Sanchez, A., Cavero, D., Collins, M. A., Gattozzi, E., & Totino, J. (Under review). STEM, culture, and power – where does it fit? Exploring the enactment of culturally relevant and sustaining pedagogy in a summer STEM program. Submitted to Cultural Studies of Science Education.
  • ​​Strang, C., Dorph, R., Romero, V. F., Collins, M. A., Foreman, J., Young, A., Laina, V., & Pande, A. (Under review). Just outside the door: How outdoor science learning addresses key challenges for youth and schools. Submitted to Connected Science Learning.
• Attended and presented at so many conferences, like:
  • North American Association for Environmental Education: Building Bridges
  • Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education’s Annual Statewide Conference
  • Association of Nature Center Administrators Annual Summit
  • American Evaluation Association Annual Conference
  • We Are ONE Conference (First 100 coalition, Justice Outside, PGM ONE)
  • Blue Sky Funders Forum 10th Anniversary
• Engaged in many professional learning opportunities, including:
  • Facilitating for Freedom Fundamentals from AORTA (anti-oppression resource & training alliance)
  • Courageous Conversations
  • Equity Meets Design’s “What is Codesign?”
  • and more!

we are looking forward to continuing our work in 2025, and finding new ways to advance equitable and accessible environmental learning

Learn more about us and what we are up to on our main webpage.