Lead Wildlife Specialist (Hoof stock)

Essential Duties

• Oversees and leads the daily care of the animals in designated area, to include feeding, cleaning, medicating, handling, and record keeping activities.
• Oversees and leads hand rearing, animal transfers, introductions, operant conditioning, and area research projects.
• Covers with the veterinary team to conduct animal care procedures and medical treatments.
• Completes requisitions and purchase requests for all supplies and animal feed needed in designated area.
• Oversees, leads, and performs animal care facilities maintenance duties, including mowing, weed-eating, pressure washing, dirt and substrate work, gate adjustments, lock lubrication, limb pick up, and other repairs.
• Conducts prep work, obtains permits, and assists with physical transport of animals.
• Maintains records and reports related to the assigned animal collection.
• Participates with research project reviews and approved project implementation.
• Assists Collection Managers in creating protocols, transfer plans, and other preparations.
• Assists Collection Managers with design and implementation of animal management and conservation breeding plans.
• Oversees and leads animal welfare assessment program for the area animals.
• Works with Support Services team and serves as liaison with contractors, as needed.
• Conducts routine meetings with individual staff members and the team.
• Informs and participates in employee evaluations with Collection Managers.
• Oversees and leads the highest level of safety in the workplace through staff training and implementation of safety protocols and procedures.
• Operates heavy equipment (skid steer, backhoe, tractor, chainsaw, etc.) to perform grounds/facility maintenance.
• Oversees and leads area intern training including animal husbandry and management, record keeping, research, conservation, and education projects.
• Oversees, facilitates, and participates in high level guest experiences in the assigned animal area.

Education And Work Experience Requirements

• A High School diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of five years of related wildlife animal care experience in a zoo or animal sanctuary.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in an AZA accredited/certified facility preferred.
• Experience working with wildlife animals in large acreage habitats is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with veterinarians and a working knowledge of common medical procedures.
• Experience with animal management plans, policies and tools, animal escape and recapture, and collection planning.
• Experience with diverse large animal management techniques including hands-on animal restraint, chemical restraint, and mechanical restraint.
• Ability to obtain Florida interstate transport permit as part of White Oak licensing and permitting.

Physical Requirements, Hazards, And Special Working Conditions

• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects.
• Climb a 5-foot ladder.
• Work outdoors in all conditions, including frequent high temperature and humidity.
• Exposure to fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts and vehicles.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes evenings, weekends, and holidays as well as during unforeseen emergency situations.