Animal Caregiver Supervisor

GENERAL SUMMARY

Do you love to work with a diverse group of animals in a beautiful setting? This position will be overseeing the Animal Care Department. The position will be ultimately responsible for all aspects of daily animal care at Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary and Animal Caregivers performance. This is a full-time position with benefits.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure that the highest animal care and welfare standards are upheld and continuously improved according to established policies and procedures, and standards set by regulatory agencies.
• Provides daily care to animals and their enclosures. Including, but not limited to cleaning, feeding, watering, securing, observing, animal training and enrichment, record keeping and maintaining exhibits.
• Cleans and maintains animal exhibits including use of chemical agents and special tools which are used to ensure the health and safety of the animals as well as the proper presentation to the public and maintains biosecurity between managed animals and free-ranging wildlife.
• Ensure animal diets and medications are being administered correctly as prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Monitors health of animals daily by observing eating habits, general activity, behavior and appearance, interaction with others, etc. Reports on abnormal behaviors and problems to the Executive Director.
• Identify and report potential safety problems, finding ways to reduce risks and injuries.
• Represent the veterinary needs and interests of the animals to the Veterinarians.
• Facilitate, oversee and evaluate behavioral husbandry and enrichment programs.
• Track pending maintenance and improvement work requests for animal exhibits and holding areas, authorizing and prioritizing those requests.
• Tasks may include heavy manual and skilled work such as moving and manipulating heavy food items, hoses, bales of hay, equipment and crated animals.
• Maintains and operational and in date inventory of equipment and supplies that is stocked and in good working order.
• Ensure that Animal Caregiver staff is allocated appropriately for optimal animal care, including arranging coverage for vacation, illnesses and other absences for the animal management department.
• Adheres to established animal handling and related safety guidelines
• Responsible for oversight, performance evaluations, and resolving personnel issues for direct reports on animal caregivers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITITES

• 4 years’ experience performing animal care activities in a zoo, sanctuary or like institution is required.
• Experience with a broad range of animal species.
• Knowledge of general husbandry practices and methods
• Knowledge of animal behavior as an indication of general health, reproductive potential and wellbeing. Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations, and to respond with appropriate action.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards involved and the safe work practices to employ while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals. Experience with training others.
• Successfully demonstrated leadership and management skills with a minimum of 4 years’ supervisory experience.
• Capacity to achieve results working both independently and as a member of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational communication skills.
• Outstanding organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks.
• This position may require that the individual be available or on-call 24 hours a day; weekends, evenings, and holiday work may be required.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Biological Sciences (i.e. Biology, Zoology, and Ecology) or a closely related discipline is preferred.
• Previous experience performing animal care activities in a zoo, sanctuary or like institution is required. Experience in managing others.
• 4 years’ experience performing animal care activities in a zoo, sanctuary or like institution is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to remain on feet for long periods of time.
• Ability to regularly perform a variety of physical tasks that include but are not limited to climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and crawling.
• Physical strength, including ability to frequently move up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Ability to work in small, confined spaces.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to wear requisite Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that may include rubber/latex gloves, steel-toed boots/shoes, face shields, eye goggles.
• No allergy related to plants or animals that may interfere with the ability to work
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch balance and ability of movement that might interfere with ability to work

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Available to work all necessary hours, including weekends, holidays, special events and all shifts if needed.
• A valid driver’s license with a good driving record

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.00 - $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19 - $21