Animal Care Specialist - Gorillas

San Antonio Zoo • San Antonio, TX

214d

About The Position

As an Animal Care Specialist in our Gorilla department, you will perform a wide variety of tasks related to providing proper husbandry and ensuring the wellbeing of the animals. You will be responsible for the daily cleaning and maintenance of animal habitats and service areas as well as medical treatments, record keeping, guest engagement, and training/enrichment. Here, you will make an impact by: Daily Care, Animal Wellbeing, Safety, Collaboration, Creating Community, and Staff Management and Development.

Requirements

• Associate degree in wildlife management, zoology, biology, or related field preferred.
• Minimum one-year zoo keeping experience preferred.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills is preferred.
• Must be 18 years of age or older with a clean driving record for vehicle operation.
• This position requires a valid Class 'C' Texas Driver's License or a valid driver's license from another state with the ability to obtain a Class 'C' Texas Driver's License within 45 days of becoming employed.
• Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment drug screening, background check, and TB test.
• Must be able to work in varying climate and weather conditions (rain, snow, hot, or cold).
• Must be available days, nights, weekends, and occasional after-hour assignments.

Responsibilities

• General husbandry and daily care of assigned animals, including preparing and distributing approved animal diets.
• Inspect, clean, and maintain both on-exhibit and off-exhibit areas.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills with the ability to maintain, train, and troubleshoot complex animal behavior daily.
• Maintain detailed daily records on assigned animals.
• Knowledge of safety SOPs, safety concerns, and reporting protocols.
• Demonstrate the ability to assist other team members with their animal-related goals and challenges.
• Utilize daily behavioral observations, animal training, and operant conditioning techniques to maintain current behaviors and build new repertoire in experienced and naïve animals.
• Continually observe and evaluate animal behavior and conditions for animals in the department and report any issues to your manager.
• Perform regular animal wellbeing assessments.
• Propose and perform species specific enrichment.
• Exercise sound judgment in analyzing animal concerns or emergencies and respond with the appropriate action.
• Work safely around delicate, wild, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous animals.
• Delicately handle, examine, and move without harming sick, injured, or small animals.
• Have sufficient strength, agility, and coordination to net, capture, and/or restrain animals of various sizes.
• Secure animals, their enclosures, and other associated structures for the safety of our internal and external guests.
• Assist veterinary staff in the treatment of zoo animals.
• Assist in animal procedures including, but not limited to, translocations, veterinary practices, and crating.
• Effectively document and communicate issues or concerns to team members and management.
• Participate in or assist with the capture and restraint of a variety of taxa, including dangerous species.
• Engage with the Zoo guests as well as staff and volunteers at habitats to include VIP programs and training demonstrations, and/or shows.
• Promote active guest engagement through interactions during both formal and informal discussions and events.
• Study-specific reference materials pertinent to animal care, behavior, and natural history as assigned.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with fellow employees.
• Perform other work-related duties as required and assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
• Education Level: Associate degree