Facility
Lindsay Wildlife Experience
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Lindsay Wildlife Experience, located in Walnut Creek, CA, seeks self-motivated, flexible and responsible individuals capable of supporting the daily operations of the Animal Encounters (AE) Department. We are currently seeking candidates to fill one full-time position, either Animal Keeper I or Animal Keeper II.
This position is set to start in September 2023. The AE staff are expected to work with a wide variety of animals, including birds of prey, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. The AE staff help support Lindsay’s interpretive program, participating in daily public programming and working alongside the Education Department to provide a high-quality guest experience.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
● Work with Curator, veterinary staff, animal keeper staff, animal husbandry volunteers and interns to ensure the highest standards of animal care.
● Ensure compliance with USDA and Fish & Wildlife regulations.
● Participate in daily husbandry, including handling, enrichment, training using operant conditioning and digital record keeping.
● Participation in public programming using live animals; including daily exhibit hall programming and events on and off-site.
● Facility maintenance (cleaning, equipment upkeep, organizational projects, maintaining naturalistic exhibits).
● Accurate observation, evaluation and documentation of animal behaviors.
● Maintain excellent written and verbal communication with co-workers, manager, director, and veterinary staff.
● Must be willing to work weekends
● Work in coordination with the other departments to represent Lindsay and its mission in a professional manner and with high quality customer service.
● Eligible to work with venomous reptiles.
● Assigned as a primary animal keeper for a group of animal ambassadors based on experience.
● Responsible for developing and training of assigned animals and evaluating all activities with regards to husbandry, medical, enrichment, handling and public presentations.
● Training of volunteers and interns on daily departmental tasks.
● Acting as a keeper mentor for interns participating in our Animal Keeper internship program.
● Participate in animal welfare assessments.
Keeper II – In addition to the above, duties and responsibilities may also include:
● Direct supervision of Animal Husbandry Volunteers and Animal Care Interns, including recruitment of new volunteers and interns and managing the support of current volunteers.
● Scheduling daily husbandry assignments for both staff and volunteers.
● Assist with managing departmental supplies and major projects.
● Serve on internal committees.
Education and Pre-requisites
QUALIFICATIONS:
● Must be 18 years of age or older.
● Have a valid driver’s license.
● Have a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in zoology, biology, or a related field required.
● Have at least 1 year paid experience working with wild/exotic animals in a zoological setting.
● Have experience with public speaking as it relates to informal environmental education is preferred.
● Have experience training wild/exotic animals using operant conditioning.
● Have excellent communication skills with staff, volunteers, and guests.
● Exemplary verbal and written communication skills and ability to speak to diverse audiences.
● Must be able to work independently and as part of a team of both staff and volunteers.
● Working knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel and Google Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive, etc.)
● Must be willing to work some holidays and weekends.
● Must be able to sustain prolonged bending, kneeling, standing, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
● Ability to manage multiple and complex responsibilities at the same time.
Keeper II – In addition to completing the above requirements, the candidates must:
● Have a minimum of 2 years of full-time equivalent paid experience in animal care and/or a combination of education and experience in an applied zoo keeping-focused program.
● Have volunteer managerial experience (preferred). Does not have to be in a zoological setting.
● Experience in researching, writing, and presenting ecological, biological, and environmental conservation topics to an audience of diverse ages.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
● Medium strength demands include exerting 20-50 pounds occasionally, 10-25 pounds frequently,
or up to 10 pounds constantly. Requires handling, using vision and hearing, and talking.
● Frequently requires standing, fine dexterity, walking, lifting, sitting, reaching, pushing/pulling, balancing, climbing, and twisting. Occasionally requires carrying, kneeling, foot controls, bending, and crouching.
● Frequently requires time pressures, frequent change of tasks, irregular schedule/overtime, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, tedious or exacting work, and noisy/distracting environment. Rarely requires emergency situations.
● Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards.
● Some office environment, as well as public exhibit hall programming, and frequent outdoor events and/or outreach sites.
Compensation and benefits
HOURS, BENEFITS & COMPENSATION:
● Lindsay offers a competitive benefits package including paid sick time, vacation, holidays and 401K eligibility.
● Flexibility to work some evenings, early mornings, and special events as needed.
● Non-exempt full-time position, 40 hours a week. Pay: $17 – $19/hour
Application instructions
TO APPLY:
● To apply for this opportunity, send cover letter, resume, and three references to:
jobs@lindsaywildlife.org
○ Put “Animal Keeper” in the subject line.
○ No phone calls, please.
● Submit all materials in PDF format with your first initial and last name in the document name.
Example: JSmith_Resume.pdf
● Automatic applications from websites, such as Indeed, will not be considered.
● References will not be checked without permission.
● Applications are open until position filled, with priority to applicants submitted on or before July 1, 2023