Facility

Lions Tigers & Bears

Closing Date

Description

San Diego’s Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB) is a big cat and exotic animal rescue and education center focused on providing a lifetime home for animals who have been abused and abandoned.

The Ground Keeper & Animal Care role is responsible for attending to all the resident animal & grounds maintenance. This includes all animal perimeters, habitats and any other areas as required.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Care & wellbeing of resident animals
• Deep cleaning of animal habitats
• Care of Grounds

Care & Wellbeing of Resident Animals

• Routine habitat and grounds maintenance can include but is not limited to watering plants, clearing, and cleaning drains/catches, power washing, weed whacking and mowing.
• Deep cleaning of animal habitats, Property grounds, Transfer cages, Animal haulers, out buildings, etc.
• Respond to issues that arise in relation to the property, the buildings, and the animals.
Perform safe, proper and humane care of assigned animals according to established protocols or under the direction of the senior animal keeper.
• Prepare animal diets according to established protocols.
• Perform safe and proper maintenance of assigned animal habitats, holding facilities and associated service areas according to established protocols or under the direction of the appropriate keeper.
• Participate in the modification and the enhancement of animal habitats under the direction of the appropriate senior animal keeper and/or the supervisory/curatorial staff to include, but not limited to the installation of plant material, perches, and habitat props such as rocks and logs, monitoring water quality, addition of substrates, cleaning of pools.
• Inspect animal habitats, holding facilities and associated service areas to ensure that they are clean and that all mechanical systems are operating properly.
• Report any deficiencies and/or required maintenance.
• Aid the public and provide information concerning LTB.
• Enforce LTB’s rules and regulations.
• Perform other related tasks and duties at the instruction of senior animal keepers/manager.
• Participate in food and water preparation.
• Loads and unloads food from trucks
• Feed and water all animals.
• Administers prescribed medication and keep feeding records.
• Observes assigned animals.
• Reports abnormal conditions to superiors
• Cleans habitat areas, pools, wildlife sleeping areas and service areas.
• Cleans disinfects utensils, work tools and containers.
• Provides species-appropriate enrichment to assigned wildlife
• Maintain animal records, notes & enrichment log on a daily basis.
• Provides habitat security.
• Participates in capturing, incapacitating and moving wildlife.
• Performs minor or routine maintenance on habitat enclosures.
• Reports maintenance needs.
• Operates a variety of light and medium equipment.
• Clean refrigerators/freezers/dishes on a daily basis.
• Perform animal husbandry.
• Maintain feed room – keep clean and organized.
• Label foods and rotate as necessary.
• Perform inventory of food and enrichment.
• Enclosure maintenance – cleaning, weed whacking, mowing, tree trimming.
• Routine inspection of enclosures, fencing, pools, and other structures.
• Shifting of the animals on a regular basis.
• Maintaining sanctuary grounds.
• Perform minor repairs as necessary.
• Support in all events set up and breakdown.
• Perform construction of habitats when needed.
• Maintain and keep clean carts
• Disinfect and deep clean transfer cages, rescue hauler, & bedrooms
• Follow all SOP procedures to ensure safety of self, others and animals

Other
• Maintain knowledge of policies and procedures on all aspects of animal care.
• Maintain confidentiality of proprietary and donor information.
• Attend & participate all staff meetings as well as AM & PM keeper meetings.
• Engage as a team member/team player at LTB.
• Provide outstanding customer service in-person and over the phone.
• Other duties as assigned by the Ranch Foreman and/or Founder/Director.

Education and Pre-requisites

Qualifications:

• Must have a can-do attitude, be a team player, excellent communication skills and the ability to follow directions in both the written and oral form.
• Must have a love for animals and be passionate about our mission and follow all safety protocols and guidelines.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, holidays, evenings, and special events as the schedule demands.
• Must be willing and able to work all shifts.
• Must be able to work in high and low temperature conditions
• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Valid current driver’s license (required).
• Full-time paid experience in the handling, feeding and care of animals in a zoo or sanctuary.
• 1 year of animal care and husbandry experience.
• Ability to represent LTB in a professional manner and to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with employees, colleagues, County, and other government agencies, outside contractors, and the public.

Working conditions and Physical requirements:

The ability to lift up to 50 pounds, ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crawl and walk on uneven terrain, ability to work in inclement weather conditions including extreme heat and cold depending on the season, ability to work a varying schedule with flexibility in mind, ability to operate power tools and complete minor construction tasks, ability to follow oral and written directions, ability to understand hazards and risks and apply proper safety precautions for a safe working environment, ability to multi-task. Driver’s license, specialized skills and experience operating 4-wheel drive carts, trucks and ATV’s is a plus.

Job duties and hours can change and will include early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays

Compensation and benefits

Medical plans, dental, vision, and life insurance available after the waiting period.
Retirement plans available.

Application instructions

Please send resumes to admin@lionstigersandbears.org