Title:
AssistantCurator-Training Lead
Category: Fulltime, Year-round
Reports To: AnimalCurator
General Function
Responsible forassistingthe Animal Curator in tasks requiring specialized skills in connection with the care,maintenanceand trainingof the animalcollectionand exhibit facilities at the center.
Major Activities (Typical Duties/Responsibilities)
- Create and implementtraining plans utilizing positive reinforcement/operant conditioningtechniques.
- Train animal behaviors for voluntary veterinary proceduresas suggested by Vet Team/Curator
- Works days and hours assigned by the Animal Curator; changes based on season. Summer may require splitting overnight shifts during the calving season.
- Assists with covering animal care department Manager on Duty (MOD) shifts. On occasions, may need to double-duty and help cover main MOD shifts as well—facility wide. Aid the main MOD in the event of an emergency situation.
- Provides water and food for animals and cleans exhibits in assigned areas. Checks to make sure all areas are cleaned and maintained by keeper staff. Make daily animal observations and reports any abnormal behavior or health concerns, exhibit security, and/or safety concerns to the Animal Curator immediately.
- Make sure diet prep is completed for the next day’s consumption. If it is not completed, see to it that diets get prepped. Records diet consumption daily and notify the Animal Curator if feeding behavior changes. Monitors that inventory is being properly completed.
- Recommends improvements in animal care procedures and schedules, exhibit upkeep and employee and visitor safety.
- Carries out prescribed veterinary treatments as assigned by the contracted veterinary staff and Animal Curator.Assists in capture and crating/uncrating of animals.Assists with chemical immobilization and handling of dart projectors. Safe drug handling protocols must be upheld.
- Actively assists and participates in film projects that AWCC management signs up for in helping to promote the AWCC and gain supporters for long term funding.
- Performs routine maintenance and upkeep of walkways, zoo grounds and facilities as assigned. Reports needed major repairs andchecks and maintains equipment used.
- Acts as liaison with the public by courteously answering questions and enforcing facility rules and expectations. Presents educational programs and tours when assigned.
- Research and preparation of information regarding zoo specimens for discussion with the public and other professionals.
- Reports all departmental personnel concerns directly and immediately to the Animal Curator.
- Fulfills the responsibilities of the position in a professional and appropriate manner.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills/Abilities
- Ability towork in a team environmentto help achieve AWCC’s goals andobjectives.
- Strong communicationskills, both written and oral.
- Mustpossessa positive and respectful attitude.
- Excellent customerservicesskills.
- Exceptional work ethic, attention todetail,and time management skills.
- Abilities to lift 80#, bend, reach, stand, crawl, and work in a drastically changing weather environment
- Ability to compromise, listen, learn, understand, and follow instructions and directions.
- Skill inestablishingand maintaining cooperative working relationships with other employees.
- Ability to work directly with the public, providing information andassistanceas needed.
- Ability/willingness to learn and pass on to customers those areas of interest to visitors, such as local history, people, culture, geography, etc.
- Ability to operate UTVs, ATVs, snow machines, trucks, trucks with tongue and gooseneck hitches, and tractors.
- Ability to work with hand tools and small power tools, chainsaws, etc.
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule as needed
- Proven ability to effectively lead in a fast-paced environment
- Efficient organizational skills, time management and ability to multitask
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must be 18 years or older to apply
- Current tetanus vaccine, willing to obtain rabies vaccination
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (education, experience, skills)
- ABachelor of Sciencein animal sciencesor related field
- A minimum of3years of relatedanimal care experience, with progressing leadership responsibilities
- Experience working free contact with a variety of largehoofstockspecies
- A positive attitude and strong work ethic
