Job Details
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
* Must have minimum of 4 days of unrestricted availability to include weekends, holidays, early mornings, and late nights
* 30 hours per week minimum
* 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, facility maintenance, and general animal care
* 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 a 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 and learn 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 (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, fluids and assisted feedings, and participates 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
* Maintains area equipment such as tools and equipment such as scuba gear, transport units, squeeze cage, electric carts and more
* Provides 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.
Skills and Qualifications
* Must be at least 18 years of age.
* Must be SCUBA, CPR and First Aid certified.
* 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 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 Qualifications and Expertise
* Understanding and application of operant conditioning techniques with marine species
* Interactive and public programming
* Experience handling and training of pinnipeds and cetaceans
* Show experience