Zoological Specialist, Aviculture (Associate - Senior)

SeaWorld•Orlando, FL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Discovery Cove Orlando is seeking dedicated Ambassadors to provide care and compassionate training to animals. The role includes daily animal husbandry, such as preparing food, administering vitamins and medications as directed, maintaining safe and sanitary habitats, observing animals and reporting abnormalities, and maintaining animal records and equipment. Responsibilities vary by position level and experience. Under supervision, team members work on basic animal behaviors and behavioral modification. At higher levels, they may serve as primary trainers, train behaviors to completion with increasing independence, develop and implement new behaviors, maintain conditioned behaviors, build relationships with animals, and lead educational shows and guest interaction programs. The role also involves engaging guests, supporting public education, and communicating professionally with colleagues, vendors, and guests. This position works across locations as business needs and career development opportunities dictate. It requires a flexible schedule at a year-round, 365-day operation, including opening, mid-day, and closing shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays. The work takes place indoors and outdoors in varying weather, including extreme heat, and may involve exposure to fumes, dust, odors, cleaning chemicals, and temperature extremes. Position level and compensation depend on professional zoological animal-care experience at an AZA or equivalent facility, as assessed by Zoo leadership.

Requirements

Able to complete provided CPR training and certification.
At least 3 years of animal care experience.
Strong verbal communication skills and enthusiasm for sharing a passion for animals and conservation with guests.
Comfortable speaking to large groups on stage during presentations.
Able to lift, push, pull, and/or carry up to 50 pounds.
Able to walk and stand extensively throughout the work shift and climb or ascend heights if needed.
Able to kneel, squat, bend from floor to waist and waist to overhead, reach overhead, and perform simple grasping and fine hand manipulation tasks, including using tools, a keyboard, and writing.
Able to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather, including extreme heat, with possible exposure to fumes, dust, odors, and cold or hot temperature extremes.
Able to perform cleaning duties, including using cleaning chemicals.
Able to work a flexible schedule based on business needs, including opening, mid-day, and closing shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Flexible to work in different locations based on business needs and career development opportunities.
Professional zoological experience at an AZA or equivalent facility determines position level: Specialist requires at least 12 months (2,080 hours); Senior requires at least 2.5 years (5,200 hours); Senior 1 requires at least 5 years (10,400 hours). Associate is entry level.

Responsibilities

Perform daily husbandry tasks, including preparing food and administering vitamins and medications as directed.
Maintain safe and sanitary working areas for animal habitats.
Observe animals and report abnormalities to a supervisor and team.
Maintain animal records and equipment.
Follow established workplace guidelines and safety procedures.
Support educational and general public shows and develop speaking skills and stage presence.
Engage proactively with guests and respond to guest inquiries.
Help prepare educational aspects of shows.
Serve as a secondary animal person and safety spotter when needed.
Act as primary trainer when approved and directed by leadership.
Work with animals on basic behavior and behavioral modification techniques under supervision.
Perform primary roles as assigned by area leadership.
Participate in all aspects of guest interaction programs.
Train animal behaviors to completion under minimal supervision.
Lead educational and general public shows and guest interaction programs.
Apply behavioral modification techniques across the organization, including developing and implementing new behaviors, training naïve animals, training behaviors to completion, maintaining conditioned behaviors, and forming relationships with animals.
Communicate professionally and effectively with Ambassadors, vendors, and guests.
Perform other duties as assigned.