Zoological Specialist

What you get to do:

• This role supports training sessions for a wide variety of zoological animal areas and programs. You will perform daily husbandry tasks, including administering vitamins and medications as directed, preparing food, and maintaining a safe and sanitary working area for all animal habitats.

• Cleaning, maintenance, and landscaping of animal habitats and husbandry facilities according to standard operating procedures.

• Ensuring park maintenance teams and vendors safely access animal habitats for repair and new construction.

• Providing mental and physical stimulation to animals through positive reinforcement training techniques.

• Participating in husbandry training for animal management program procedures, working alongside the veterinary team as needed.

• Providing for animals’ best wellbeing with attention to animal behavior and training, enrichment, nutrition, breeding, and habitat maintenance.

• Ensuring excellent guest experience and providing dynamic public presentations for educational programming, camps, special events, media, and in-park guest interpretations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the full-time zoological specialist team with area tasks as needed.

• Support animal husbandry and wellbeing, conditioning, enrichment, and medical care for a variety of species including large and potentially dangerous animals.

• Assist the veterinary team during animal health diagnostics and care procedures as needed.

• Use strong observation skills to evaluate animal health and behavior, communicating concerns to appropriate team members and management for further evaluation.

• Provide physical stimulation and mental challenges for our animals by contributing to the development of animal enrichment devices or activities.

• Assess and report animal health, behavior, and enrichment via the electronic record-keeping system TRACKS.

• Communicate professionally and effectively with ambassadors and guests within a team environment.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• At least 18 years of age.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet company driving guidelines.

• A positive, team-minded attitude and desire to grow in your career.

• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) allowing for efficient and professional communication with teammates and management.

• A strong work ethic with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities appropriately.

• The flexibility required to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• The desire to promote conservation messages to various audiences.

• Able to operate light and possibly heavy equipment including tractors, skid-steers, mowers, weed-eaters, trailers, and other equipment as needed.

• Ability to work in a physically demanding work environment in a variety of outdoor weather conditions (ex. dust, extreme heat, cold, rain).

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50lbs as needed in the specified area.

• Ability to stand, walk, lift, bend, climb, and squat as needed in the specified area.

• Ability to follow all park safety guidelines and standard operating procedures for the specified area.

• Ability to complete all provided SEA training as assigned.

• Flexibility in work locations/animal areas as placement will depend on business needs and career development opportunities.

• Able to work at least 28 hours per week, with a flexible schedule to include mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overnights.

• Must attach resume to be considered for this role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• College degree in Zoology, Biology, Psychology, or related field

• Experience in animal care at an AZA or equivalent facility.

• Experience and skill in operant conditioning using positive reinforcement techniques.

• Previous public speaking experience in demonstrations or presentations.

• SCUBA certification.