Facility
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Browse Specialist is responsible for the procurement and distribution of browse material (tree branches, shrubs, bamboo, and misc. plant material) to meet the specialized dietary and behavioral needs of the Zoos animal collection. This position will be involve seeking out new browse sites both onsite and within the community and establishing relationships with site owners to cultivate a sustainable source of browse for the Fresno Chaffee Zoo year-round.
This position will also be trained to assist as needed in the animal nutrition center where all animal diets are prepared. This position will regularly interact with Zoo guests and community members and must ensure excellent guest experience and community relations.
This is a full-time benefitted position that requires a motivated, dedicated team player who is a key contributor to excellent animal care by providing natural foraging material for many species including Giraffes, Elephants, Antelope, Great Apes and lesser primates, sloths, macropods and many more!
Essential Functions
Assist with planting, caring for, and harvesting from approved browse locations both on and offsite.
Cultivates relationships and create partnerships with local resources (tree trimming/landscaping companies, school districts, private citizens etc.) to establish a sustainable source of browse for the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Deliver, prepare, cut, and stage browse in selected animal areas at the Zoo.
Ability to learn and identify toxic and approved species of trees, shrubs, and plant material with and without leaves so that appropriate browse can be harvested year-round.
Safely operate various types of machinery including, but not limited to, chainsaws, forklifts, bobcat, pallet jacks, and large vehicles including flatbed trucks and trailers.
Use and maintain equipment utilized in the collection and distribution of browse (truck, trailer, hand saws, etc.), in a safe manner.
Exercise good judgment when making choices that affect our collection.
Assists the Emergency Response team in animal events.
Provides training and guidance to volunteers assigned in the section
When assisting in the nutrition center:
Helps maintain the kitchen and all food storage areas, including walk in fridges and freezers, in a clean, organized fashion consistent with industry standards and regulations. Maintains adequate stock of all section supplies and reports low inventory levels to supervisor in a timely manner.
Assist in receiving deliveries and checking against packing slips, ensuring that animal food is of an appropriate quality through inspection at arrival and at the time of preparation.
Prepares daily diets for Zoo’s animal collection, follows written and oral instructions concerning type and quantity of foods to be prepared and size of portions, obtaining necessary ingredients from the warehouse/barn/coolers/freezers, and washing, cleaning, peeling, dicing and/or slicing as required
Performs special assignments and projects as requested and assists with other shifts as needed.
Education and Pre-requisites
Qualifications/Minimum Job Requirements
Preferred experience in landscaping, tree trimming, arborist, or horticulture.
Can demonstrate knowledge of safety rules regarding driving large vehicles and machinery, horticulture hand tools and power tools.
Valid California drivers license and a clean driving record.
Strong written and verbal English language communication skills required as well as the ability to communicate effectively with the public, partners, and contractors. Bilingual (Spanish or Hmong) communication skills a plus.
Ability to work evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
Associates degree or Teaching College Certificate from an accredited college or university preferred.
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 operation of gardening equipment and other machinery; use fingers for fine manipulation of hand tools and plants.
The employee is regularly required to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds, and occasionally up to 75 pounds.
Visual acuity to operate machinery and read printed instructions and safety information, and to assess the thoroughness of the work assigned. Color perception is also required.
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.
Work Environment
The position primarily functions outdoors, with exposure to heat, cold, and inclement weather.
The employee is regularly exposed to hazardous chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.), fumes from equipment operation, and dust/dirt from Zoo grounds.
The position works in close proximity to Zoo animals.
Frequent local travel may be required.
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 employee may be required to work at heights.
Compensation and benefits
Our comprehensive compensation package includes Medical/Dental/Vision, Employee Assistance Program, 401k, 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick and Paid Vacation time on an accrued basis. The minimum pay for this position is $18.66/hr. Offers will be based on the successful candidate’s experience.