Gorilla Caregiver / Research Assistant
The Gorilla Foundation - Woodside, CA
Posted: 03/02/2010
Application Deadline: 05/01/2010
Description
The Gorilla Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated
to the preservation, protection and well-being of gorillas through
interspecies communication research and education. The foundation was
established in 1976 and is best known for its groundbreaking work with
two western lowland gorillas, Koko and Michael, who were taught to
become fluent in American Sign Language.
We are seeking a highly dedicated, experienced, and qualified individual (who also has a sense of humor and significant animal care and/or research experience and skills) to join our team as a full-time Gorilla Caregiver/Research Assistant. Candidates should be service-oriented with an attitude of loving kindness toward all life forms and interested in making a contribution to great ape research, education and conservation (with great ape broadly defined to include humans as well as gorillas, bonobos, orangutans and chimpanzees).
This is an hourly full-time position from 8:30 (or 9) AM to 5:30 (or 6) PM, 5 days per week. Work-schedule flexibility required, including the ability to work weekend days and some evenings (12-9 PM).
We are seeking a highly dedicated, experienced, and qualified individual (who also has a sense of humor and significant animal care and/or research experience and skills) to join our team as a full-time Gorilla Caregiver/Research Assistant. Candidates should be service-oriented with an attitude of loving kindness toward all life forms and interested in making a contribution to great ape research, education and conservation (with great ape broadly defined to include humans as well as gorillas, bonobos, orangutans and chimpanzees).
This is an hourly full-time position from 8:30 (or 9) AM to 5:30 (or 6) PM, 5 days per week. Work-schedule flexibility required, including the ability to work weekend days and some evenings (12-9 PM).
Responsibilities
• Monitor, evaluate, and help maintain the health and
well-being of gorillas through behavioral observations, (non-invasive)
biomedical samples, and sign-language communication
• Clean and perform general maintenance in gorilla facilities
• Assist with the preparation and delivery of meals to gorillas
• Support and document communication-based research with gorillas, via American Sign Language, natural gorilla gestures, and spoken English
• Assist with environmental enrichment for the gorillas, and plans for a new preserve
• Clean and perform general maintenance in gorilla facilities
• Assist with the preparation and delivery of meals to gorillas
• Support and document communication-based research with gorillas, via American Sign Language, natural gorilla gestures, and spoken English
• Assist with environmental enrichment for the gorillas, and plans for a new preserve
Requirements
Required Job Qualifications
• At least three [3] years of full-time, paid work experience (ideally in animal care or non-invasive animal research)
• Medical degree, Vet/Tech degree, or advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., biology, anthropology, psychology, animal behavior, animal science, linguistics, zoology, etc.)
• Strong affinity for animals (reflected in work experience, volunteerism, etc.)
• Superior written and verbal communication skills (evidenced by writing and presentation samples)
• Excellent employment history (reflected by references and non-proprietary work samples)
• Commitment to learn American Sign Language at an accelerated pace (must pass an ASL proficiency test within 3 months of hire)
• Computer savvy (Mac/PC, Excel, Powerpoint, Google, and databases like Access or FileMaker, etc.)
• Required personal attributes:
• Superior work ethic
• Excellent attendance/on-time record
• Attention to detail while being aware of the bigger picture
• Service-oriented and self-motivated
• Positive attitude
• Self-reliant — able to learn by asking lots of questions
• Self-assured — able to advance by acknowledging/correcting mistakes
• Self-advancing — able to learn by both self-study and questions
• Well-organized (able to use technology to minimize clutter and time-to-find)
• Eagerness to follow and learn from defined protocols (before suggesting or implementing new ones)
• Resonance with the Gorilla Foundation’s Mission
Desirable Job Qualifications
• Experience planning research, gathering data and publishing results
• Knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL) and/or Linguistics
Special Requirements for this Job
• Desire to make a long-term commitment— the gorillas value long-term relationships and consistency
• An initial evaluation period to establish compatibility with the gorillas
• Ability to work full-time (40 hrs/wk) including weekends and some evening shifts
• We are focusing on candidates who live in the Peninsula or Silicon Valley region of the San Francisco Bay Area
• Must have own car for reliable transportation to/from work and to pick up supplies
• The Gorilla Foundation is a drug and smoking-free environment; background checks are a part of the hiring process
• At least three [3] years of full-time, paid work experience (ideally in animal care or non-invasive animal research)
• Medical degree, Vet/Tech degree, or advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., biology, anthropology, psychology, animal behavior, animal science, linguistics, zoology, etc.)
• Strong affinity for animals (reflected in work experience, volunteerism, etc.)
• Superior written and verbal communication skills (evidenced by writing and presentation samples)
• Excellent employment history (reflected by references and non-proprietary work samples)
• Commitment to learn American Sign Language at an accelerated pace (must pass an ASL proficiency test within 3 months of hire)
• Computer savvy (Mac/PC, Excel, Powerpoint, Google, and databases like Access or FileMaker, etc.)
• Required personal attributes:
• Superior work ethic
• Excellent attendance/on-time record
• Attention to detail while being aware of the bigger picture
• Service-oriented and self-motivated
• Positive attitude
• Self-reliant — able to learn by asking lots of questions
• Self-assured — able to advance by acknowledging/correcting mistakes
• Self-advancing — able to learn by both self-study and questions
• Well-organized (able to use technology to minimize clutter and time-to-find)
• Eagerness to follow and learn from defined protocols (before suggesting or implementing new ones)
• Resonance with the Gorilla Foundation’s Mission
Desirable Job Qualifications
• Experience planning research, gathering data and publishing results
• Knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL) and/or Linguistics
Special Requirements for this Job
• Desire to make a long-term commitment— the gorillas value long-term relationships and consistency
• An initial evaluation period to establish compatibility with the gorillas
• Ability to work full-time (40 hrs/wk) including weekends and some evening shifts
• We are focusing on candidates who live in the Peninsula or Silicon Valley region of the San Francisco Bay Area
• Must have own car for reliable transportation to/from work and to pick up supplies
• The Gorilla Foundation is a drug and smoking-free environment; background checks are a part of the hiring process
Compensation
• Salary commensurate with experience; opportunity for advancement
• Benefits include health insurance, vacation, sick/personal leave, and a 403(b) retirement plan.
• Benefits include health insurance, vacation, sick/personal leave, and a 403(b) retirement plan.
How to apply
To be considered for an interview, please send cover letter (directed
personal statement), resumé, salary requirements and contact
information for three [3] professional references to:
jobs-gorilla@koko.org
Please do NOT email attachments; paste everything into the email body.
Thank you!
jobs-gorilla@koko.org
Please do NOT email attachments; paste everything into the email body.
Thank you!