Job Abstract

Availability: Must have 5 days of unrestricted availability to include weekends, holiday, mornings, and late nights

Hours: 40 hours per week.

Basic Job functions:

• 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 and facility maintenance

Principle Duties:

• 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 and applies advanced operant conditioning animal training techniques without supervision of Supervisor
• Interpret advanced animal behavior and make decisions appropriately
• 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
• Collects and labels blood, urine, fecal and other diagnostic samples as directed by veterinary staff
• Recognize and react quickly and reliably to unfavorable behavior and aid staff in development of above skill set
• 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
• Assists in the operation of heavy equipment such as trucks, forklifts, and palate jack
• Provide animal enrichment and husbandry training as well as mentor junior staff
• Maintain, recognize, and renovate facilities and equipment up to USDA standards
• Ability to perform basic trainer duties assisting other animal areas in the park as needed
• Plan and carry out special projects and staff training in husbandry techniques, animal identification and safety
• 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, Knowledge, Education, and Training:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be SCUBA, CPR and First Aid certified.
• Must have Bachelor’s degree in biology, psychology, zoology or related field preferred or equivalent of 8 years of relevant experience
• Must have at least two years experience as an Animal Care Specialist III or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Minimum of 5-year paid, full time experience in the care, husbandry and training of a variety of marine mammal species
• Minimum of 2-year experience at Animal Care Specialist 2 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
• SCUBA certified and 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

• Higher understanding and application of operant conditioning techniques with marine species
• Animal transports
• Interactive and public programming
• Experience handling and training of pinnipeds and cetaceans
• Show experience

Safety Sensitive Position