Animal Care Specialist 1 - Marine Mammals $18.50/HR- $20.00/HR

Six Flags • Vallejo, CA

368d

About The Position

The position involves working in a fast-paced animal care environment, requiring a minimum of 5 unrestricted days of availability, including weekends, holidays, early mornings, and late nights. The role includes various responsibilities related to animal care, guest service, and maintaining a safe working environment. Employees will be expected to represent SFDK positively and provide excellent guest service while ensuring the well-being of the animals under their care. The position is safety-sensitive, requiring adherence to all federal, corporate, and departmental rules and regulations.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a minimum of 5 days of unrestricted availability including weekends, holidays, early mornings and late nights.
• Must have or be able to acquire a valid California driver's license.
• Must have an associate's degree or higher in a related animal science or have at least 1-2 years of work experience related to shaping and modifying animal behavior through operant conditioning and positive reinforcement completed within the last three years.
• Must be able to read, write and speak English and must be comfortable speaking in front of large crowds.
• Must have strong swimming skills. Note: Placement in specific areas may require additional swim competencies including but not limited to carrying two 20-pound buckets 30 ft (including stairs), surface diving to 15 feet to retrieve a 5-pound weight, swimming one freestyle lap (approx. 120ft), swimming 60 feet fully submerged underwater and pulling yourself, unassisted, out of the water onto the ledge all to be completed within 8 minutes or less.
• Must possess the mental and physical capacities necessary to perform the primary job duties including lifting/moving 50 pounds, working indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions, working around/in cold produced seawater.

Nice To Haves

• SCUBA certification
• Proficiency in MS office applications
• Previous experience in the husbandry and training of a variety of marine mammal species.

Responsibilities

• Represent SFDK in a well-informed, positive manner at all times.
• Provide excellent guest service by responding proactively to customer requests, expectations and special needs.
• Effectively communicate in a professional manner to staff of all levels.
• Practice safe work habits by properly wearing appropriate PPE and storing and handling all chemicals in accordance with MSDS and SFDK policy.
• Demonstrate reliable flexibility in working in a fast-paced and fluctuating animal environment.
• Collect breakout and prepare daily rations.
• Clean and sanitize animal habitats, food preparation kitchens, storage areas, and office spaces.
• SCUBA dive to help maintain exhibits as directed.
• Support animal care management in providing daily care to animals including, feeding, daily physical exams and husbandry care as directed, administering veterinary prescribed medications and supplements and providing daily environmental enrichment.
• Closely monitor and record animal behavior and notify leadership of potential health and social challenges.
• Provide support during animal presentations, interactions and tours including narrations.
• Under the supervision and guidance of an ACS II or higher, develop and demonstrate a consistent understanding and application of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement.
• Under the supervision and guidance of an ACS II or higher, develop proficiency in recognizing and interpreting animal behavior.
• Under the supervision and guidance of an ACS II or higher, learn to prepare for, collect and submit diagnostic samples as directed by animal management and veterinary team.
• Under the supervision and guidance of an ACS II or higher, help guide Apprentice trainers in their area development.
• Under the supervision and guidance of an ACS II or higher, train behaviors as assigned.
• Under the supervision and guidance of an ACS II or higher, effectively execute the daily schedule ensuring all tasks, feeds and other commitments are met.
• Support animal care management in animal capture and restraint procedures as directed by veterinary and management teams.
• Support animal care management in proactively maintaining area equipment and tools.
• Perform other duties as requested/assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees