Animal Care Specialist 1-Marine Mammal Pinniped Department $21/hour

Responsibilities

• Prepares daily rations, feeds animals, and stores food according to schedule duties
• Cleans and sanitizes animal enclosures, food preparation, storage areas, and office spaces
• Administers medications as prescribed by veterinarians
• Closely monitors and records animal behavior and notifies staff of potential health and social challenges
• Assist veterinarians with examinations, treatments, surgery, emergency care and necropsies
• Effectively and efficiently communicates in a professional manner to staff of all levels
• Demonstrates an understanding of operant conditioning animal training techniques and how to apply it for maintaining animal behavior with supervision of an ACS 2 or higher
• Understand how to interpret animal behavior and make decisions appropriately with the aid of ACS2 or higher
• Perform in shows as well as conduct educational lectures and/or animal interactions and tours as assigned
• SCUBA dive in exhibits as required
• Collects and labels blood, urine, fecal and other diagnostic samples as directed by veterinary staff
• Provides support on carrying out capture and restraint procedure for animals in the assigned area with veterinarian and management's assistance as well as assist in emergency situations
• Responsible for the daily operations in area assigned
• Provide animal enrichment and husbandry training maintenance with the animal collection
• Maintain, recognize, and aid in the renovation of facilities and equipment up to USDA standards
• Maintain area equipment such as tools and equipment such as scuba gear, transport units, squeeze cage, electric carts and more
• Support in the implementation and/or 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.

Qualifications

• 32 hours per week minimum
• Must have minimum of 4 days of unrestricted availability to include weekends, holidays, early mornings, and late nights
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• SCUBA certification preferred
• Must have an Associate’s degree in biology, psychology, zoology or related field preferred or equivalent of 2 years of relevant experience
• Minimum of 1-year paid, full time experience in the care, husbandry and training of a variety of marine mammal species
• Minimum of 6 months experience as an Animal Care Intern
• Must have valid California driver's license
• Must have strong written/verbal communication skills, able to speak effectively before large groups
• Must be able to lift and/or move 50 pounds
• Must possess strong swimming skills
• 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
• Must be able to work with chemicals and adhere to the MDS and company standards
• Must have a basic understanding of water chemistry