Urban Jungle Wildlife Care Specialist - Part Time - San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance•San Diego, CA

7d•$32•Onsite

About The Position

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is seeking a Part-Time Wildlife Care Specialist to join their team in San Diego, CA. This role involves performing all job assignments with a positive attitude that supports the organization's mission of saving species worldwide. The Wildlife Care Specialist, under general supervision, will feed and provide for the general care and welfare of assigned wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, or birds. This position reports to a Lead or Supervisor and is distinguished from the Senior Wildlife Care Specialist class by working under supervision. The role performs a wide range of semi-routine functions at either the Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park and consistently demonstrates the desire and ability to engage in positive relationships with internal and external customers.

Requirements

A minimum of one year working with exotic wildlife in an accredited zoo or equivalent sanctuary-like organization that manages exotic wildlife.
Experience with a variety of mammal taxa.
Husbandry and behavioral knowledge.
A basic understanding of operant conditioning and the care and feeding of exotic wildlife.
Safety practices around exotic wildlife is required.
Guest interactions/ public presentations are required.
The qualified candidate is expected to be a team player and have good communication skills.
Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekdays, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Must have independent and critical thinking ability to respond appropriately to expected and unexpected animal care situations.
Must be able to problem solve based on experience and observation and must be able to follow proper procedures.
Must be able to safely manage the daily care of non-domesticated wild animals representing multiple dangerous species.
Must be able to quickly process and respond to novel situations with professionalism and clear judgment.
Must be able to accept irregular shift times, last minute schedule changes, variance in workload, and changing of daily tasks.
Must be able to respond appropriately to the animals’ dynamic social and physical states.
High School Diploma Required
California Driver License within 30 Days required
Knowledge of animal behavior, animal biology and zoology, care, feeding and handling of wild animals, safety practices around wild animals, techniques for restraining or capturing wild animals, and public speaking.
Ability to respond to cautions from co-workers, monitor animal behavior and appearance, operate motorized equipment and vehicles, use computer programs (Word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and Internet), communicate and work effectively with others, work in a diverse team environment and motivate others, multi-task and prioritize, understand and follow directions effectively, deal tactfully and courteously with others, adhere to the organization’s policies, procedures and regulations, and competently perform the essential functions outlined above.
This position requires successful completion of a Physical Ability Test.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ungulates and marsupials helpful.
12 to 16 college credit hours in zoology, animal biology or animal husbandry; or, work experience in a Zoo or similar environment where appropriate knowledge and skills in animal care could be acquired preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepares food and water for animals, loads and unloads food from trucks, and feeds animals.
Observes assigned animals.
Maintains appropriate health and behavior records on assigned animals.
Provides species-appropriate enrichment to assigned animals.
Assists medical staff in treating wildlife and moving animals.
Performs minor or routine maintenance on habitat enclosures and reports maintenance needs.
Operates a variety of light and medium equipment.
Cleans habitat areas, pools, animal sleeping areas, and service areas.
Cleans and disinfects utensils, work tools, and containers.
Participates in and supports animal training programs.
Administers prescribed medication and keeps feeding records.