Facility
Bear River Ranch
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Bear River Ranch is currently looking to fill the position of Lead Animal Care Specialist. Our Lead Animal Care Specialist is responsible for the daily management and care of the animals at Bear River Ranch as well as assisting with the supervision of the animal care team, which includes paid staff, volunteers, interns, gap year students and summer camp campers. This person must possess compassion and patience as well as stamina and physical strength. This position requires excellent animal knowledge, time management, team work and supervisory skills.
*We are looking to fill our Lead ACS position with someone who will grow beyond strictly animal care and become our Animal Staff and Animal Program Supervisor (ASAP Supervisor), with responsibilities to include the supervision of our Animal Care Team and Animal Programs at Bear River Ranch, including our:
Paid and Intern Animal Care Staff
Gap Year Program (Fall, Winter and Spring)
Volunteer Program (Fall, Winter and Spring)
ASIT program (summer)
*The ideal candidate will move into the ASAP Supervisor position within 6 months of hire
About the Bear River Ranch and its programs
Bear River Ranch
Is a 350 acre summer camp facility, near Rolla, Missouri. The Ranch has a capacity to sleep 350 people, with over 30 building including 15 cabins, 20 activity pavilions, an archery and riflery range, a ropes course, swimming pool, pottery and ceramics studio and its own zoo. The Ranch is home to over 300 animals of more than 100 different species, and is used primarily during the summer months for a children’s summer camp called Cub Creek Science Camp. Bear River Ranch is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture, is recognized and licensed as an Animal Rescue by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and licensed as a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Our Animals
The Ranch is home to a wide variety of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods. Among our animals are 1 camel, 3 zebu, many miniature and full size horses, goats, sheep, pot bellied pigs, wallabies, lemurs, porcupine, armadillo, sloth, ferret, guinea pigs, rabbits, kinkajou, dogs, cats, Macaw, Amazon parrots, cockatiels, and parakeets, a variety of lizards and snakes and even tarantulas, giant hissing cockroaches and scorpion (to name a few)
Our Animal Care Team
Off-season (Aug 15 – May 15)
During the off-season our animals are cared for by a small team of staff that we call our Animal Care Specialists. These staff are typically college age students who sign a 4-5 month contract, to live and work at Bear River Ranch, taking care of the animals, leading field trips and providing other assistance that may be needed for user groups renting the facility.
Summer Season (May 15-Aug 15)
During the summer months our animals are cared for by our summer camp staff. Specifically by Summer Animal Care Specialist and by a group of campers who are part of a leadership program, knows as Animal Specialist in Training or ASITs
ASIT Program
The Animal Specialist in Training Program (ASIT Program) is a leadership program for older campers, ages 15-17 during our summer months. To become an ASIT a student must be a former camper of Cub Creek Science Camp, be recommended by their staff and receive an invitation. ASITs pay to be part of program and during their time at camp assist with animal care and programs at camp. We usually have between 25-32 ASITs each two week session. ASITs have their own staff, their own cabins, their own break room and their own schedule. The goal is to teach ASITs valuable skills that they can apply to become outstanding teachers and leaders in the future.
Gap Year Students
The BRR Gap Year Program is a brand new program that will focus on young adults ages 17 to 22 who are passionate about animals and want to explore their passion through hands-on work, side-by-side with the Animal Care Team at Bear River Ranch. In addition to working at BRR, part of the Gap Year Program will be to learn through volunteer experience using animals in the community.
Volunteer
BRR accepts volunteers who are able to commit to a minimum shift of 4 hours per week. These volunteers help provide much needed human interaction for our animals during the off season including taking animals for walks, changing environmental enrichment and even cleaning and feeding. Currently we do no active recruitment or advertising for volunteers, but hope to do so in the future.
Lead Animal Care Specialist
Responsibilities:
• Maintain the well-being of the animals at Bear River Ranch by performing a number of tasks, including feeding, watering and training animals, as well as cleaning and maintaining their habitats.
• Continually observe behavior of all animals to monitor for any signs of stress, illness or disease.
• Maintain records of care and enrichment as required by BRR
• Assist with the supervision and guidance of all staff and volunteers involved with the care and handling of the animals at BRR
Animal Staff and Program Supervisor of Bear River Ranch
Responsibilities
• To coordinate and grow the Gap Year Program at BRR
• To coordinate and grow the volunteer program at BRR
• To coordinate and supervise the Summer ASIT program with the assistance of ASIT Leaders.
• To be the Lead Staff on site during the weekends
• Providing assistance and oversight for the occasional visiting rental group.
Education and Pre-requisites
• College degree preferred
• Strong independent thinking, observation and record keeping skills
• Proven ability to work independently, demonstrating self-motivation and self-direction skills
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
• Experience working with teen or young adults
• Experience and comfort with public speaking
• Leadership and / or management experience
• Hands-on experience with a wide variety of animals
• Wide knowledge base and appreciation of all animals
• Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Good physical condition; able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. (i.e. feed sack), ability to walk long distances on uneven terrain in variable environmental conditions (steep, muddy, 100 degree weather, 0 degree weather etc)
Compensation and benefits
• On site housing
• Full benefits package including paid sick days, holidays, vacation days, comp days and health insurance.
• Salary commensurate with experience ($21,000 – $30,000 / year)
Application instructions
This is an immediate opening. We are looking to fill this position ASAP
Submit Resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references via email only to:
Lori@BearRiverRanch.com
Applicants selected for candidacy will be required to travel to BRR at their own expense and attend a two day, on-site working interview.