Animal Care Specialist 3 $22.00/HR-$26.00/HR (Marine Mammal)

Availability: Must have 5 days of unrestricted availability to include weekends, vacation, mornings, and late nights

Hours: 40 hours per week.

Basic Job Functions

Enthusiastically represents SFDK by displaying a positive attitude, high level of energy and commitment to quality throughout all aspects of the job

Responsible for the care, training, husbandry, and enrichment of all animals in an assigned area

Focus is customer service, animal husbandry, training, enrichment, reproduction, medical assistance, transports and facility maintenance

Principle Duties

Prepares daily rations, feeds animals, and stores food according to schedule

Cleans and sanitizes animal enclosures, food preparation, storage areas, and office spaces

Administers medications as prescribed by veterinarians (orally or injectable)

Closely monitors and records animal's behavior and notifies staff of potential health and social challenges, and assist veterinarians with examinations, treatments, surgery, emergency care and necropsies

Effectively and efficiently communicates in a professional manner to staff of all levels

Demonstrates and applies advanced operant conditioning animal training techniques without supervision of Supervisor

Interpret advanced animal behavior and make decisions appropriately

Perform in shows as well as conduct educational lectures and/or animal interactions and tours as assigned

SCUBA dive in exhibits as required

Under the direction of management, develop and conduct research projects with the assistance of other team members

Collects and labels blood, urine, fecal and other diagnostic samples as directed by veterinary staff

Recognize and react quickly and reliably to unfavorable behavior and aid staff in development of above skill set

Provides support on organizing and carrying out capture and restraint (voluntary or un-voluntary) and rehabilitation operation for animals in the assigned area with veterinarian and management's assistance as well as assist in emergency situations

Assists in the restraint of animals, administers fluids and assisted feedings, and participates in emergency situations

Responsible for the daily operations in area assigned

Development of less experienced personnel

Assists in the operation of heavy equipment such as trucks, forklifts, and palate jack

Provide animal enrichment and husbandry training as well as mentor junior staff

Maintain, recognize, and renovate facilities and equipment up to USDA standards

Ability to perform basic trainer duties assisting other animal areas in the park as needed

Plan and carry out special projects and staff training in husbandry techniques, animal identification and safety

Maintains area equipment such as tools and equipment such as scuba gear, transport units, squeeze cage, electric carts and more

Supports and aides in implementation of modifications to presentations and guest interactions

Properly handles, uses, and stores all chemicals in accordance with SFDK policy

Represents SFDK in a well-informed, positive manner before other zoological facilities, professional and educational organizations, the media, and federal and state agencies.

Ensure excellence in guest service by responding promptly to customer requirements, expectations and special needs

Practices safe work habits

Performs other duties as requested/assigned.

Required Skills, Knowledge, Education, And Training

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Must be SCUBA, CPR and First Aid certified.

Must have Bachelor’s degree in biology, psychology, zoology or related field preferred or equivalent of 8 years of relevant experience

Must have at least two years experience as an Animal Care Specialist III or equivalent combination of education and experience

Minimum of 5-year paid, full time experience in the care, husbandry and training of a variety of marine mammal species

Minimum of 2-year experience at Animal Care Specialist 2 level

Must have valid California driver's license

Must have strong written/verbal communication skills, able to speak effective before large groups.

Must be able to lift and/or move 50 pounds

SCUBA certified and strong swimming skills (in an open water area only)

Must be able to read, write and speak English and be proficient in MS office applications

Must be willing and able to work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions

Must be available to work weekends, evenings and holidays

Must possess quick reflexes and be able to react quickly to changing animal situations

Must possess the mental and physical capacities necessary to perform the primary job duties

Must be willing and able to work in and around cold saltwater (in an open water area only)

Must be able to demonstrate an annual swim competency (in an open water area only)

Must be able to work with chemicals and adhere to the MDS and company standards

Must have a basic understanding of water chemistry (in an open water area only)

Preferred Qualifications And Expertise

Higher understanding and application of operant conditioning techniques with marine species

Animal transports

Interactive and public programming

Experience handling and training of pinnipeds and cetaceans

Show Experience

Safety Sensitive Position