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APPLICATION DEADLINE: 28 March 2024. Are you passionate about caring for a diverse range of mammal species? Join our team at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as an Animal Care Specialist, where you'll play a crucial role in the welfare of our diverse mammal species. You'll have the exciting opportunity to work with iconic wildlife like Elephants, Giraffes, Rhinos, Zebras, Lions, and more. A fulfilling day is dedicated to providing exceptional care for our animal residents, tending to their habitats, and engaging with guests to share knowledge about our incredible collection. Whether you're feeding Elephants, observing White Rhinos, or interacting with guests alongside our Giraffes, every day will bring new and rewarding experiences. You're a passionate individual with strong observational skills, a stellar safety record, and excellent communication abilities. You have prepared with six (6) months of experience in animal care, maintenance of habitats, and a knack for engaging with the public.
Animal Care:
- Ensure the upkeep of animal habitats, including feeding, cleaning, and minor repairs along with maintaining records, mentor unpaid staff, and practice compliance with industry regulations.
- Guest Interactions: A dynamic communicator proficient in sharing basic facts and natural history with guests, supporting educational programs, and leading tours in public settings and events.
- Safety and Security: Adhere to designated Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), policies, and protocols to ensure the safety of both humans and animals. Familiarize yourself with zoo-wide and area-specific lock policies and protocol
- Join us in creating an enriching environment for our animal residents, fostering a culture of safety, innovation, empowerment, and collaboration. Together, let's bring our mission of "Connecting the community to wildlife with wild places" to life!
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work outdoors and indoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
- Ability to transport and move items frequently up to 50 pounds for short distances without difficulty.
- Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs.
- Ability to access and navigate each department at the organization on foot, including any construction sites.
- Ability to consistently speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and communications.
- Ability to consistently remain on your feet for prolonged periods of time.
- Manual dexterity for standing, reaching, flexibility, and body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling, stoop, bend, lift, kneel, crawl, climb, jump, dig and prolonged standing.
- Auditory ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, two-way radio, and face-to-face interactions.
- Visual and auditory acuity appropriate for safety and discern differences in documents.
- Exceptional visual acuity is required, along with the ability to communicate, comprehend and decipher/hear information accurately, using a two-way radio.
Inclusion, diversity, and equality as a value
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens embraces diversity in a meaningful way and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
- Equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of a person's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight, or height.
EOE / DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE
Experience Required
- Do you have... a high school diploma or equivalent? six (6) months experience in a similar role?
- experience working with large mammals, particularly hooved species such as elephants, rhinoceroses, hippos, and other similar-sized animals?
- strong observational, organizational, and recordkeeping skills? the ability and endurance to meet the physical demands of working outdoors and indoors under various environmental conditions and temperatures?
- the ability to analyze a problem or emergency situation and respond appropriately? ability to maintain a valid driver license and clear driving record to operate organization vehicles?
- working knowledge of Microsoft Office, and willingness to learn applicable technology for position?
- flexible schedule outside of typical working hours, with the ability and willingness to work occasional nights or weekends, as necessary?
- A Plus… a degree in a related life science field, or are you currently pursuing one.
- paid experience in wildlife care within a zoological setting, specifically at an AZA-accredited facility.
Further Comments
- Compensation depends on experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities with a budgeted range between $17.30-$21.31.
Salary
- Non-exempt/Hourly
