Availability Must have 5 days of unrestricted availability to include weekends, holidays, early
mornings, and late nights
Hours 40 hours per week.
Basic Job Enthusiastically represents SFDK by displaying a positive attitude, high level of
Functions 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 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 (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 operant conditioning animal training techniques with supervision of an ACS 3 or higher.
- Interpret animal behavior and make decisions appropriately with the aid of ACS3 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
- Under the direction of management, develop and conduct research projects with the assistance of other team members of ACS3 or higher
- Collects and labels blood, urine, fecal and other diagnostic samples as directed by veterinary staff
- 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 with the aid of ACS3 or higher
- Assists in the operation of heavy equipment such as trucks, forklifts, and palate jack
- Provide animal enrichment and husbandry training as well as aid in mentoring junior staff
- Maintain, recognize, and renovate facilities and equipment up to USDA standards
- 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 Must be at least 18 years of age.
Knowledge, Must be SCUBA, CPR and First Aid certified.
Education, and Must have Bachelor’s degree in biology, psychology, zoology or related field preferred or equivalent of 5 years of relevant experience
Training Must have at least two years experience as an Animal Care Specialist III or
equivalent combination of education and experience
- Minimum of 2-year paid, full time experience in the care, husbandry and training of a variety of marine mammal species
- Minimum of 1-year experience at Animal Care Specialist 1 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
- Must possess 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 Understanding and application of operant conditioning techniques with marine species
Qualification's and Animal transports
Expertise Interactive and public programming
- Experience handling and training of pinnipeds and cetaceans
- Show experience
Safety Sensitive Position
