General Purpose

This position is responsible for the daily care, feeding and enrichment of animals in Asia Central with a focus on the smaller mammals and primates. This animal care team prioritizes animal training and welfare and is looking for an individual who can thrive in a fast-paced team environment, communicates effectively, and able to adapt to changes quickly. This is an excellent opportunity to gain working animal experience. Duties include maintaining cleanliness of animal enclosures and ensuring that Zoo policies and protocols are followed consistently. This position will regularly interact with Zoo guests to answer questions, provide animal information, and ensure an excellent guest experience.

This position will be assigned to our Asia Central team providing excellent animal care to a variety of carnivores and primates, including lions and orangutans, but may be reassigned or requested to work in other sections as needed at the discretion of the Animal Management team. This team has been heavily involved in the design and construction of our new Kingdoms of Asia exhibits scheduled to open in the Spring of 2023. They are excited to care for sloth bears, otters, and Malaysian tigers in these dynamic, naturalistic, and expansive exhibits which are at the forefront of exhibit design and animal wellness. Prior experience with current orangutan husbandry and training would be beneficial to the successful candidate.

We are pleased to offer this Part-time position an Employee Assistance Program, 401k, Paid CA Sick time on an accrued basis. The pay range for this position is $16.00-$21.00 per hour. Offers will be based on the successful candidate's experience.

Essential Accountabilities

• Maintains accurate feeding, health, and welfare records of assigned animals.
• Observes animals behavior, checking for any signs of illness or disorder; reports irregularities and abnormal behavior to supervisor; works with vet staff to address observed behaviors.
• Thoroughly cleans and disinfects assigned animal enclosures and ensures cleanliness throughout the day. Maintains adequate stock of all section supplies and reports low inventory levels to manager in a timely manner.
• Implements effective behavioral enrichment for selected animals.
• Watches for and immediately reports any vandalism or animal welfare concerns.
• Effectively trains animals in designated section according to zoo policies and procedures.
• Provides training and guidance to volunteers assigned in the section
• Completes animal welfare assessments as assigned by manager in the allotted time frameworks with team to problem solve welfare concerns.
• Prepares and administers appropriate daily diets at designated times; sees that animals have sufficient water that is refreshed regularly throughout each day.
• Assists the Emergency Response team in animal events.
• Crates and moves animals as directed, ensuring the safety and well-being of the animals.
• Performs special assignments and projects as requested, and assists with other shifts as needed.
• Exercise good judgment when making choices that affect our collection.
• Assists hospital staff in all aspects of animal treatment within the assigned section.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written English skills and the ability to communicate effectively with the public. Bilingual skills a plus.
• Associates degree or Teaching College Certificate from an accredited college or university
• Ability to work evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Valid California drivers license and good driving record may be required for placement on specific animal teams.
• Minimum one (1) year related experience in a zoological or wildlife facility

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

These are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed. Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, the Zoo may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.

• This position is regularly required to bend, stoop, crouch, and kneel; use hands and arms for care of animals and cleaning of enclosures. Regularly required to climb stairs or ladders.
• The employee is regularly required to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds, and occasionally team lift up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Evaluating animal health, diet, or environment requires, sight, hearing and sense of smell.
• Visual acuity to read printed instructions and safety information, and to assess animal behavior. Color perception is also required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The employee is regularly exposed to a variety of animals with risk of animal bites (including venomous), zoonotic disease, and other animal-related injury.
• The position functions both indoors and outdoors, with potential exposure to heat, cold, and inclement weather.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• The employee may be required to work at heights.