Animal Care Specialist - Herpetology [Full-Time]

San Antonio Zoo•San Antonio, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Care Specialist - Herpetology performs various tasks related to providing proper handling, care, maintenance, exhibit areas, buildings, enclosures, shelters, and service areas. This role is responsible for ensuring suitable medical treatments of zoo animals following instructions of Zoo Veterinarians, and daily cleaning and maintenance of herpetology enclosures and service areas. As a Herpetology Animal Care Specialist, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by observing, evaluating, and reporting animal behavior and condition to a supervisor daily. You will perform routine and special duties involved in the daily care and maintenance of reptiles and amphibians in captivity, including venomous species. You will effectively document and communicate issues or concerns to team members and management. You will clean and maintain animal enclosures, service areas, and holding facilities. You will assist in treating zoo animals following instructions of a supervisor or Zoo Veterinarian. For the safety of our internal and external guests, you must secure animals, their enclosures, and other associated structures. You will assist in the construction and maintenance of animal enclosures, facility renovation, and/or animal transfer. You will provide educational information to the public in a professional manner. You will uphold all company policies and procedures. You will consistently exhibit an attitude of service inside and outside of the zoo, showing hospitality to all. You will be fully committed to the mission of San Antonio Zoo to create awareness that inspires action to care for the wild world we steward and animals we protect. Performs other work-related duties as required and assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of amphibian and reptile behavior and biology.
Knowledge/familiarity with AZA accreditation standards, code of ethics, and representative husbandry standards. Familiar with AZA or other captive population management programs.
Basic computer knowledge.
Must be able to work safely around delicate, wild, and dangerous animals.
Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relations with fellow employees.
Sufficient delicacy to handle, examine and move without harming sick, injured, or struggling small animals.
Sufficient strength, agility, and coordination to net, capture, and/or restrain animals of extreme size, strength, and agility.
Must be 18 years of age or older with a clean driving record for vehicle operation.
Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment National Sex Offender Search, Criminal Background Check, and Drug Screen.

Nice To Haves

Effective written and verbal communication skills preferred.
Associate degree in wildlife management, zoology, biology, related field preferred or work experience equivalency
One (1) year zoo keeping experience is preferred
Experience in care and maintenance of venomous snakes, crocodilians, and large constrictors preferred.

Responsibilities

Observe, evaluate, and report animal behavior and condition to a supervisor daily.
Perform routine and special duties involved in the daily care and maintenance of reptiles and amphibians in captivity, including venomous species.
Effectively document and communicate issues or concerns to team members and management.
Clean and maintain animal enclosures, service areas, and holding facilities.
Assist in treating zoo animals following instructions of a supervisor or Zoo Veterinarian.
Secure animals, their enclosures, and other associated structures.
Assist in the construction and maintenance of animal enclosures, facility renovation, and/or animal transfer.
Provide educational information to the public in a professional manner.
Uphold all company policies and procedures.
Consistently exhibit an attitude of service inside and outside of the zoo, showing hospitality to all.
Be fully committed to the mission of San Antonio Zoo to create awareness that inspires action to care for the wild world we steward and animals we protect.
Performs other work-related duties as required and assigned.