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Regional hiringpublishedExternal employer
SDSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife AllianceConservation

Wildlife Care Specialist Hospital

Location

San Diego, California, United States

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full Time

Experience

1-5 years

Compensation

$33 - $33 per hour

Posted

7h ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

The Wildlife Care Specialist Hospital provides routine care, feeding, and surveillance for all wildlife (mammals, reptiles, birds) quartered in the hospital area. This role involves assisting Wildlife Health staff with medical procedures, maintaining accurate records, and medicating patient wildlife while ensuring their overall well-being and appropriate habitat setup.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION

The Wildlife Care Specialist Hospital under general supervision, feeds, maintains surveillance over all wildlife and provides routine care for all wildlife (mammals, reptiles and birds) quartered in the hospital area. This position reports to the Veterinary Services Wildlife Care Supervisor, Veterinary Services Manager, or designated staff.

This class performs a wide range of standard duties and is distinguished from the Wildlife Care Specialist classification in that this position works exclusively in the Hospital and must handle, care for, and observe all types of wildlife (bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian).

WHAT YOU WILL DO

  • Ensure overall care and well-being of patient, housed, and quarantine wildlife while at hospital, including appropriate habitat setup, diet preparation, feeding, habitat cleaning and disinfection

  • Under general supervision, assists Wildlife Health staff with immobilization, medical procedures, and relocation of wildlife between hospital and grounds

  • Perform accurate and complete record keeping, including ICU logs, treatment sheets, ZIMS, welfare assessments, and other required reports on general health, habits, behavior, fecal output, and appetite of wildlife under care

  • Medicate and provide treatment to patient wildlife, including those with compromised health. Communicated clearly with wildlife health staff regarding wildlife health needs

  • Dedicated to providing and promoting the relationship our wildlife have with their environment at every opportunity and in every aspect of our wildlife care programs

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Our ideal candidate has a broad background in animal care, handling, and restraint and has experience working in a veterinary medical facility.

JOB EXPERIENCE

Education, training, and/or experience which would clearly demonstrate the essential functions, knowledge and skills outlined, and example would be 12-16 college credit hours in zoology, animal biology, or animal husbandry required

Prior animal care in a zoological or hospital setting preferred

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

High School Diploma Required

Valid California Driver License Upon Hire required

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of:

  • Animal behavior; animal biology and anatomy; zoology

  • Techniques for immobilizing, handling and moving wild animals

  • Safety practices for working with wild animals

  • Care, feeding, and set-up of animals

  • Requirements for quarantine guidelines

  • Public speaking

  • SDZ Wildlife Alliance hospital policies, rules and practices

Ability to:

  • Respond to cautions from co-workers

  • Monitor wildlife behavior and appearance

  • Operate motorized equipment and vehicles

  • Use computer programs and electronic medical record keeping systems (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, ZIMS, and Internet

  • Work in a diverse team environment and motivate others

  • Multi-task and prioritize

  • Deal tactfully and courteously with others

  • Communicate and work effectively with others

  • Work in a team environment and independently

  • Understand and follow directions effectively

  • Adhere to the organizations’ policies, procedures, and regulations

  • Knowledge of governmental and accreditation rules and regulations

SOME OF THE REWARDS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

  • Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

  • Family Passes

  • Complimentary Tickets

  • Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park

  • Local and In-House Discounts

  • Employee Assistance Program

  • Wellness Program

Updated 2h ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Animal behavior • 1+ yrs
Animal biology • 1+ yrs
Zoology • 1+ yrs
Wildlife handling • 1+ yrs
ZIMS • 1+ yrs
Record keeping • 1+ yrs
Communication • 1+ yrs
Teamwork • 1+ yrs

Experience

1-5 years

Certifications

Valid California Driver License • Required

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

$33 - $33 per hour

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodHourly

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationSan Diego, California, United States
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleMedium6/10
physicalHigh8/10
cognitiveMedium7/10
executionHigh8/10
creativityMedium5/10
uncertaintyMedium6/10
communicationMedium7/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Team size

Growing team

Location

San Diego, California, United States

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international, nonprofit conservation organization with two front doors: the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We integrate wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions.

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Wildlife Care Specialist Hospital

San Diego, California, United StatesFull Time