Zoological Specialist

About the role

Busch Gardens is a place of thrills, fun, and positive, lasting memories. This role supports the zoo's team in bringing happiness and excitement to visitors.

Responsibilities

• Support training sessions for a wide variety of zoological animal areas and programs.
• Perform daily husbandry tasks, including administering vitamins and medications as directed, preparing food, and maintaining a safe and sanitary working area for all animal habitats.
• Cleaning, maintenance, and landscaping of animal habitats and husbandry facilities according to standard operating procedures.
• Ensuring park maintenance teams and vendors safely access animal habitats for repair and new construction.
• Providing mental and physical stimulation to animals through positive reinforcement training techniques.
• Participating in husbandry training for animal management program procedures, working alongside the veterinary team as needed.
• Ensuring excellent guest experience and providing dynamic public presentations for educational programming, camps, special events, media, and in-park guest interpretations.

Requirements

• At least 18 years of age.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet company driving guidelines.
• A positive, team-minded attitude and desire to grow in your career.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) allowing for efficient and professional communication with teammates and management.
• A strong work ethic with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities appropriately.
• The flexibility required to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• The desire to promote conservation messages to various audiences.
• Able to operate light and possibly heavy equipment including tractors, skid-steers, mowers, weed-eaters, trailers, and other equipment as needed.
• Able to work in a physically demanding work environment in a variety of outdoor weather conditions (ex. dust, extreme heat, cold, rain).
• Able to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50lbs as needed in the specified area.
• Able to stand, walk, lift, bend, climb, and squat as needed in the specified area.
• Able to follow all park safety guidelines and standard operating procedures for the specified area.
• Able to complete all provided SEA training as assigned.
• Flexibility in work locations/animal areas as placement will depend on business needs and career development opportunities.
• Able to work at least 28 hours per week, with a flexible schedule to include mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overnights.

Preferred Qualifications

• College degree in Zoology, Biology, Psychology, or related field.
• Experience in animal care at an AZA or equivalent facility.
• Experience and skill in operant conditioning using positive reinforcement techniques.
• Previous public speaking experience in demonstrations or presentations.
• SCUBA certification.

Pay

$14 per hour.

Benefits

• FREE park admission.
• Discounts on park admission tickets and passes for family and friends.
• Park discounts on food, merchandise, etc.
• Scholarship opportunities.
• Exclusive employee events and giveaways.

Company Information

EEO Employer SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, PREGNANCY, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, DISABILITY OR COVERED VETERAN STATUS.