-THIS IS A SPECIAL DISTRICTS POSITION ONLY-

The San Bernardino CountyBig Bear Park and Recreation is recruiting for an Animal Keeper (PSE)* to perform general and routine animal care tasks at the District's Big Bear Alpine Zoo. Primary duties include feeding exotic animals, observing and documenting animal behavior, maintaining and cleaning animal enclosures, answering questions from the public, assisting with presentations, and performing light maintenance in and around animal enclosures.

This position is located in the mountain area of Big Bear, CA (approximately 1 hour/45 miles from downtown San Bernardino, CA).
*Public Service Employee (PSE) positions are considered non-regular, recurrent, limited term positions. Candidates shall be considered at-will throughout their employment, and will not retain regular status.

The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a rehabilitation facility offering injured, orphaned and imprinted wild animals a safe haven temporarily while they heal or permanently as they are unable to survive on their own. We are extremely proud that the vast majority of animals brought to us for rehabilitation are successfully released back into their native environment. Those that remain with us on exhibit are either too injured or have been imprinted by humans and cannot be released back into the wild to care for themselves.

The Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, a Special District of San Bernardino County, owns the zoo, the facilities and the animals. County employees are hired for animal care, grounds keepers, maintenance, education and administration. The zoo is located within the 3rd District of San Bernardino County. The Park District oversees the operation of the zoo, and the Curator oversees the day to day activities of the zoo. The zoo is located in the San Bernardino National Forest at an elevation of 7140 feet. For more information visit https://bigbearzoo.org/

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 

Location Availability: Candidates must be able to work in the mountain area of Big Bear, California. Be sure to check off your availability for Big Bear in the Agency-wide and Supplemental questions.

Work Schedule: Candidates must be available to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Position Type: Public Service Employee (PSE) positions are considered non-regular, recurrent, limited term positions. Candidates shall be considered at-will throughout their employment, and will not retain regular status. 

Travel: Travel within the County may be required. A valid California Driver License and proof of automobile liability insurance must be provided at time of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Working Conditions: Candidates must be able to work outdoors in varying mountain weather conditions, drive in all weather conditions, lift and/or carry heavy objects up to fifty (50) pounds, stoop, kneel, crouch, bend over, crawl, and perform other physical activities in the performance of job duties for this position.

Sponsorship: San Bernardino County is unable to consider candidates who require Visa Sponsorship at this time or in the future. Candidates must be able to present their legal right to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Option 1: 160 volunteer hours at Big Bear Alpine Zoo.

 -OR-

Option 2: Six (6) months of experience providing animal care, feeding, exercising, observing/documenting behavior, and cleaning enclosures, in a zoo, hospital/clinic, wildlife rehabilitation center or similar facility. Primary experience must include care of a variety of wildlife/exotic animals or sick/injured animals.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Personal, non-work related experience such as taking care of pets, dog sitting, breeding animals, and/or working in facilities such as pet boarding or grooming is NOT considered qualifying experience.

To be considered, you must submit an application. You may apply for one or multiple positions on one application. Apply on-line at www.sbcounty.gov/jobs anytime. Or visit the office at 41220 Park Ave in Big Bear Lake, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:00pm, to complete an application.
These are extra-help, non-regular positions classified as Public Service Employees and receive no benefits. These temporary positions will be employed for seasonal help, up to 12 months, and will vary in assigned weekly hours. Successful candidates shall be considered at-will throughout the term of their employment, and will not attain regular status. All new employees must adhere to the provisions of the County Dress Code, which prohibits all visible tattoos. Applicant must successfully pass a background check prior to appointment.
 
Applications will be processed continuously and qualified candidates will be contacted to interview as vacancies occur, so it is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible.

If you require technical assistance, please click HERE to review the Government Jobs online application guide, or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer or browser used to submit the application.

EEO/ADA: San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants.
 
ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and require accommodations in the testing process, submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of a recruitment filing deadline.
Veterans’ Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouse or widow(er) who are not current County employees may be awarded additional Veterans’ Preference points. Click here for information and instructions to request Veteran's Preference points.
Click HERE for important Applicant Information and the County Employment Process