Facility
Big Bear Alpine Zoo, Big Bear Lake, CA
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Under the general supervision of the Curator, the Veterinarian of Record and Lead Keepers, will perform general health, routine animal care and emergency triage duties at the District’s Big Bear Alpine Zoo. The position requires a dedicated individual who will take direction from the Veterinarian of Record and the Curator in carrying out laboratory, diagnostic and treatment directions. This includes routine veterinary technician responsibilities such as specimen collection and analysis, medical record keeping and updating, as well as assisting the staff with treatments, euthanasia, emergency triage and other diagnostic procedures.
THE FACILITY:
Big Bear Alpine Zoo is unique in that we are both a zoo and a rehab facility. The animals in our collection are orphaned and imprinted wild animals that have been offered a safe haven; temporarily while they heal or permanently as they are unable to survive on their own. 90% of all the animals brought to us for rehabilitation are successfully released back into their native environment. Those that remain with us on exhibit are either too injured or have been imprinted by humans and cannot be released back into the wild to care for themselves.
The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is home to more than 130 mammals, birds, and reptiles representing more than 60 different species. The Zoo is open to the public 364 days per year and the Zoo hosts a hundred thousand visitors annually.
The zoo is located in the San Bernardino National Forest at 7140 feet elevation. There are approximately 20,000 full time residents and is a popular vacation and day trip destination.
As the Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a small facility, it needs to be noted that the Vet Tech will also perform Zoo Keeper duties on a daily basis. An exciting note: the animals are scheduled to moving into the new facility fall of 2017. It is a great time to join our team as we all prepare for the big move!
BIG BEAR ALPINE ZOO MISSION
To enhance human understanding and respect for the value of the ecosystem through rescue, rehabilitation and education; enhanced by our unique collection of animals that have been permanently impacted by humans and can never be released back into the wild.
Key Messages
• Our unique identity as a zoo and rehabilitation facility
• Our role in conservation
Connecting people to wildlife
• Raising awareness about our native wildlife, flora and habitats
• Inspiring people to care about the wellbeing and conservation of wildlife
Elevating animal care
• Through evidenced based animal care management
• Through behavior based enrichment programs
Stewardship
• We will support conservation efforts in the wild, accentuating our goals and objectives.
• We passionately commit our expertise and resources to saving animals and enhancing their long-term survivability whether in the wild or permanently within our facility.
Guest experience
• We provide animal interactions that create lifelong memories
Our Enrichment philosophy
• The natural behaviors of our animals will direct our behavioral enrichment and will assist our keepers in the determination of enrichment activities based solely on the behaviors they wish to elicit.
Education and Pre-requisites
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Registration:
Must possess and maintain a valid Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) Certificate issued by the State of California Veterinary Medical Board. Applicants must indicate their number and expiration date in the Certificates and Licenses section of the application.
Drivers License:
Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Drivers License.
DESIRED QUALFICATIONS:
Applicants with two years of experience working with wild or exotic animals (e.g. black bear, bobcat, bald eagle, etc.) at a zoo or related facility are highly encouraged to apply.
The ability to work independently, react quickly in emergency situations, assess and triage wounds, work closely with the Vet of Record to provide the best care possible to the animals in our care.
Compensation and benefits
The Salary: $17.90-$22.92 hourly, $37,232 to $47,673 annually
BENEFITS:
Comprehensive health care benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, help make the County of San Bernardino an employer of choice. The County strives to provide employees with security, flexibility, and convenience.
Application instructions
Apply online at: http://www.sbcounty.gov/hr
Deadline: 05-08-2015 5:00 pm
For more information contact Lorie Judd 909-866-9700