Animal Care Specialist

Global Wildlife Center

The Animal Care Department at Global Wildlife Center is looking for a positive and energetic individual to join our growing team as an Animal Care Specialist. The selected candidate will contribute to and further develop the mission and values of Global Wildlife Center.

Global Wildlife Center is a privately owned, 900-acre, safari style facility with over 2,000 native and exotic animals. Our facility currently houses over 20 different species of animals, with a strong emphasis on hoofstock. Our Animal Care Specialists work with all taxa and uphold the best standards of care in captive animal management and welfare.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the daily care of the entire collection. Daily responsibilities include husbandry, diet preparation, enrichment, exhibit maintenance, general welfare, public education, record keeping, and other assigned responsibilities.

A glass-half-full, collaborative, and engaging attitude is a critical requirement of the individual looking to join our team. Our team prides itself on the positive, can-do outlook each member brings to the table, and our next team member must be able to mesh seamlessly with this established team quality.

Other qualities of the interested candidate include accountability, ability to work independently while sharing the daily workload equally with teammates, demonstration of strong time management skills, flexibility, and creativity. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers and visitors.

Our current collection is hoofstock dominant. While we are excited to expand our taxon diversity in the future, an interested candidate must have a willingness to care for hoofstock in an open safari setting. This willingness includes heavy lifting of hay bales and feed sacks, large enrichment items, cleaning of very large stalls, and working in all weather conditions (Louisiana summers, torrential rain, cold and wet winters, no shade, mosquitos, etc.). We do offer on-the-job training, but previous animal care experience, especially with hoofstock, is a plus. Lack of experience does not preclude a candidate from consideration. It will be imperative that a candidate without prior hoofstock experience be able to

- quickly learn herd behavior and movement and use this knowledge to successfully anticipate animals in the field

- learn and demonstrate best human safety practices while working around free roaming ungulates

At Global, we believe in staff development and helping our team members to become the best version of themselves. The potential candidate must have an interest in strengthening their interpersonal and leadership skills, while sometimes stepping out of their comfort zone. Beyond daily animal care responsibilities, our Animal Care Specialists are asked to engage with our guests, assist with education endeavors, and take on leadership roles in our organization. We believe our Animal Care Specialists should have the knowledge and skills to work with both animals and people. It is imperative that the interested candidate acknowledges the dual functionality of this role and welcomes self-growth.

Our current full-time schedule is four day shifts a week (35-45 hours) with alternating off days. The successful candidate will be required to work weekends, holidays, and select evening events throughout the year.

The successful candidate will be asked to visit the facility for a working interview. We wish for the candidate to experience our facility and meet and interact with the team.

We wish for the interested candidate to understand that we are a growing facility. Flexibility, patience, open-mindedness, humor, understanding, humility, and kindness are critical traits of any candidate looking to join our team. We are excited to hear ideas and new perspectives while also asking the candidate to be open to trying new things. For the candidate with a lot of hoofstock experience, we are looking for that individual to be ready to teach and help bring out the maximum potential of our established team. We are looking for a candidate who graciously accepts and provides constructive feedback.

This is a rewarding, hands-on animal care opportunity. If you are passionate about working with animals and have the necessary skills, experience, and commitment, we invite you to apply for this rewarding position as an Animal Care Specialist.

Please look at our website www.globalwildlife.com to get a sneak peak of our facility.

Please submit a resume’, a letter of intent (not to exceed 300 words), and three professional references with contact information as your application.

Job Duties:

• Provide daily animal care and maintenance in a professional and compassionate manner.
• Feed and water animals according to their specific needs.
• Clean and sanitize animal facilities as well as human work areas.
• Provide enrichment to animals to promote their physical and mental well-being.
• Assist with animal training sessions for encounters and medical needs.
• Ability to recognize and understand animal behavioral changes.
• Monitor animals for signs of illness or distress and report any concerns to the appropriate personnel.
• Administer medications and treatments as directed by veterinary staff.
• Maintain accurate records of animal care, including feeding schedules, medical treatments, and behavioral observations.
• Look after and work closely with a wide variety of species, including deer, antelope, equids, kangaroos, giraffes, cattle, etc.
• Participate in assigned continuing education endeavors, virtual or in person.
• Support Global Wildlife Center (GWC) conservation endeavors.
• Initiate communication with guests and assist them as needed. Educate the public.
• Demonstrate respect for and pride in our facility. Present a professional image while in uniform and on the radio.
• Follow all GWC policies and procedures, including safety regulations.
• Bring a team-oriented attitude to work each day.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as delegated.

Experience:

• Previous experience in animal care or related field is preferred, especially with hoofstock.
• Knowledge of customer service principles and practices.
• Experience working with a variety of animals, including equine, ruminants, small and large mammals, and exotics.
• Proficiency in animal handling techniques and safety protocols.
• Ability to perform heavy lifting (up to 70 lbs) and physical tasks associated with animal care.
• Experience in a zoological setting is beneficial.

· An interest in and experience with operant conditioning and training.

· Knowledge of USDA Animal Welfare Standards as well as AZA or ZAA standards.

• Familiarity with veterinary procedures and terminology is beneficial.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of animal experience preferred (farm, wildlife, or zoo setting a plus).
• Must have the ability to lift 70 pounds.
• Must be willing to work in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to work around a variety of plant materials (hay, other grasses, etc.).
• Must have the ability to self-manage and work alone when necessary.
• Must be able to communicate well with a small team.
• Ability to work 7AM - 7PM including weekends and holidays.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must be 18 years old.
• Basic knowledge of computer programs including Microsoft Office software.

Job Notices:

· This position requires the ability to lift up to 70 lbs. In addition, sitting, standing, bending and kneeling for extended periods of time are required. The candidate must be able to physically participate in animal care daily tasks, meetings, training sessions, presentations, and more.

· This position requires the candidate to be tolerant of loud noises (construction and mechanical equipment) and strong smells (animals, cleaning products).

· This position requires a candidate who can handle emotional stress. The successful candidate will work intimately with sick or injured animals, as well as deceased animals, and must be able to continue with completion of daily tasks in a timely manner.

· This position requires exposure to outdoor elements including summer and/or winter conditions as well as contact with plant and animal material. Common plant material encountered includes (but is not limited to) hay, alfalfa, various browse, other grasses.

Please include any training or licenses that may pertain to your animal experience in your application.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Commensurate with experience, skills, and qualifications

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 35 – 45 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Holiday pay for holidays when the facility is closed

Schedule:

• 10-hour shifts, four days a week, alternating days off
• Holidays

Experience:

• Animal handling: 1 year (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Folsom, LA 70437 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Folsom, LA 70437: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Deadline for applications is Friday, May 31, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• 4x10
• 4x12
• Holidays
• Rotating weekends

Experience:

• Animal Care: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Folsom, LA 70437 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Folsom, LA 70437: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person