Facility
Chehaw Park & Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
This leadership position will work closely with our Living Collections Manager to improve and maintain husbandry practices and mentor staff in the performances of these practices. This is a working position that will require direct, hands-on animal care work.
JOB DUTIES
• Attend to assigned animals; prepare diets, feed, and provide water; sanitize enclosure furniture/floors and food/water dishes as scheduled or necessary
• Lead capture and restraint events in the absence of a Manager or Director
• Ensure compliance with standards of the profession, and maintain all facilities and protocols in compliance with those standards; consult with other professionals in the field to exchange information, give/receive advice, and resolve problems
• Assist Manager with coordination of supply acquisition, veterinary procedures, and animal nutrition programs; assist other staff and supervisors with coordinating the daily operations of the department
• May assist with developing and writing departmental policies and procedures
• Assume leadership when working with other animal care staff; provide guidance and training to fellow staff and delegate tasks, as appropriate; communicate training needs to supervisors; as requested by supervisors, assist with preparing draft evaluations and presenting evaluations to the staff
• Inspect animals for health problems; collect fecal samples for testing; condition/train animals for veterinary procedures; assist veterinarians with medical exams and procedures, including surgery and necropsies; administer medications to animals
• Record relevant information in facility’s recordkeeping database, including animal observations, health concerns and treatments, acquisitions/births, dispositions/deaths, etc.; objectively complete animal welfare assessments, as assigned
• Perform routine repairs and maintenance on exhibits/enclosures as needed; construct improvements, furnishings, and decorations for exhibits
• Competently assess needs within assigned area and initiate feasible solutions to problems with minimal assistance
• Assist in planning and conducting educational and interactive guest programs; engage the public to encourage curiosity and facilitate a positive experience
Education and Pre-requisites
• High school diploma or equivalent
• 3+ years of previous experience and/or training involving animal care
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation to/from work
• Significant knowledge about animal husbandry and captive management; ability to build upon this knowledge and to adapt as necessary to animal collection changes
• Basic computer skills
• Must be able to lift 60 pounds and work outdoors in all weather conditions on a daily basis; must be able to tolerate strong odors, dust, hay, dander, and dampness; may be required to stand or sit for extended periods of time and/or to twist, bend, crouch, squat, climb, crawl, kneel, jump, swim, or carry objects for short distances; may be exposed to chemicals, fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts, vehicles, and potentially dangerous animals
• All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation
Compensation and benefits
Job Type: Full-time
Starting Pay: $30,000 – 32,500 per year, based on experience
Benefits:
• Paid-time-off (vacation, holiday, sick)
• Vision, dental, and health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Participation in staff vaccination program
• Relocation package available to eligible new hires
The Albany Metropolitan area includes welcoming cities such as Leesburg, Putney, Sylvester, and Sasser. These cities boast cost-of-living numbers much lower than the national average and are all within easy commute of Flint RiverQuarium and Chehaw Park & Zoo.
• Leesburg: 13% lower COL, 18 minute commute
• Putney: 28% lower COL, 15 minute commute
• Sylvester: 26% lower COL, 28 minute commute
• Sasser: 24% lower COL, 22 minute commute
https://visitalbanyga.com/
Application instructions
Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to ssassone@chehaw.org.