Animal Care Specialist

Longneck Manor

Animal Care Specialist

Newly accredited by the AZA, Longneck Manor is seeking an Animal Care Specialist to join our dynamic team in providing daily care for a growing collection of giraffe, rhinos, and one sloth. The selected candidate will be responsible for all aspects of daily animal husbandry, enrichment, and training. Animal Care Specialists are also responsible for leading daily conservation education tours. The ideal candidate is very comfortable with public speaking and engaging with the public throughout most of the day.

General Tasks

• Husbandry tasks include, but are not limited to, cleaning, disinfection, diet preparation and feeding, shifting and securing animals, behavioral observations, training, and preparing and distributing enrichment.
• Tasks may include manual and skilled work such as driving skid steers and tractors, as well as moving and manipulating heavy food and/or enrichment items.
• Frequently responsible for enclosure maintenance, including constructing furnishings, performing minor repairs and modifications, and reporting repair needs promptly to supervisors.
• Under supervision, administers medication and supplementation as prescribed by the veterinarian. Monitors animal health daily by observing eating habits, general activity, behavior, and appearance. Reports abnormal behavior and concerns to management without delay.
• Prepares detailed written daily reports and can learn how to enter daily data and observations into ZIMS.
• Makes recommendations regarding diet change, habitat redesign, and enrichment, and takes initiative where appropriate to complete independent projects.
• Maintains a clean and safe work environment.
• Maintains an up-to-date inventory of equipment and supplies and reports restocking needs to management promptly.
• Participation in all emergency response drills and procedures, including both animal and non-animal emergencies. Ability and willingness to be safely trained on appropriate firearm usage, in accordance with Longneck Manor's policies and procedures for emergency management resolution.
• Under supervision, captures, restrains, and transports animals.
• Ability to regularly perform a variety of physical tasks that include, but are not limited to, climbing, lifting (up to 50 lbs), standing for long periods, bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and crawling.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• Additional responsibilities assigned as needed. Expected to work holidays, weekends, and overtime as needed.

Education and Pre-requisites

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Biological Sciences (i.e. Biology, Zoology, and Ecology) or a closely related discipline. Relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a college degree.

• Previous experience performing animal care activities in a zoo, aquarium or similar facility is required.
• Comfortable speaking to the public multiple times a day for long durations of time is required.
• Experience in relevant taxonomic area preferred.
• Experience and proficiency in animal training using operant conditioning is preferred
• Knowledge of general husbandry practices and methods for ungulates and small mammals.
• Knowledge of animal behavior and natural history, common environmental enrichment and animal training practices, biology, conservation, and related subjects.
• Knowledge of animal behavior as an indication of general health, reproductive potential, and well-being.
• Knowledge of materials, methods, tools, and equipment used in daily zoo operations.
• Ability to prioritize and efficiently accomplish goals. Whether that's with the team or independently.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in analyzing animal behavior issues or emergencies, and to respond with appropriate action.
• Ability to work with and be comfortable around potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species.
• Ability to work with heavy machinery, restraint devices, and toxic chemicals and/or drugs.
• Ability to interact courteously, respectfully, and productively with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, visitors, and the general public.
• Strong work ethic, easy-going nature, and appropriate sense of humor.

Compensation and benefits

DOE

Application instructions

Please send resume and cover letter to:

Samantha Cox, Director of Animal Care

...

Salary

DOE

How to Apply

Please send resume and cover letter to:

Samantha Cox

Director of Animal Care

...

Longneck Manor

1749 Beyer Rd.

Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Phone: ...

Visit our website