Facility
The Living Desert
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Position Summary:
The Hospital/Quarantine Keeper is a member of the Animal Health Care Team and is responsible for the daily care of animals in the Tennity Wildlife Hospital and quarantine facilities. This keeper is a motivated, energetic and positive team player who is willing to make a significant contribution to the organization. This position may also assist the Veterinarians and Veterinary Technician in the performance of their duties. The Animal Health Care team is the primary animal health team for The Living Desert (TLD) animal collection and Wildlife Rehabilitation facility.
* The Animal Health Care Team endeavors to practice state of the art veterinary medicine and maintain high standards of veterinary professionalism.
* The Animal Health Care Team must have great enthusiasm for the profession of zoological medicine.
* The Animal Health Care Team must adhere to the highest animal welfare standards, and utilize these in a team-oriented work style
* The Animal Health Care Team performs all job assignments with a positive attitude that will move TLD forward into the future.
This individual must have the ability to make good decisions regarding the welfare of animals, staff and guests. Additionally, this person will support TLD in our mission “to support desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation” and will help TLD achieve a forward-thinking vision of a modern zoo and inclusive culture.
Specific Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities:
• Deliver uncompromising excellence in animal care, welfare and guest engagement
• Observe and report on general health and behavior of assigned animals to Veterinarians and Animal Care Management
• Feed, clean, and assess all animals brought into the hospital and quarantine
• Possess the ability to make good decisions regarding the welfare of animals, staff & guests
• Work with a variety of species across all taxonomic classes on a regular basis
• Communicate effectively to Veterinary staff, Director of Animal Care and Animal Care Management about animals under Hospital/Quarantine care
• Coordinate with Animal Care staff regarding arrival/departure of animals to the hospital/quarantine
• Under the guidance of the Animal Care Management, enrich and train animals in hospital/quarantine
• Provide routine husbandry of animal housing areas
• Observe and monitor animal behaviors
• Follow quarantine protocols as directed by Veterinarians
• Prepare animal diets and administer medications as directed
• Capture and restrain a variety of species
• Assist veterinarians and technicians with animal medical procedures as needed
• Prepare/dismantle quarantine areas for incoming/outgoing animals
• Document, file and recall accurate records as needed for hospital, quarantine, and collection animals
• Provide excellent guest service and communication skills for effective & engaging public speaking
• Give knowledgeable and engaging hospital tour/talks for guests, staff and donors
• Maintain a safe and productive workplace for animals, staff and guests
• Possess communication skills for effective working relationships with all Zoo staff and outside professionals.
• Demonstrate courteous interactions with guests, staff and volunteers at all times while representing the institution at the highest standard of professionalism
• Possess the ability to work alone with minimal supervision as well as being an effective team member
• Maintain a positive, productive relationship with all Zoo staff and contribute to a positive work environment
• Demonstrate the ability to follow instructions from Veterinarian/Animal Management
• Provide assistance to other departments or areas as needed
• Other related responsibilities as necessary to accomplish department objectives
Equipment Used:
• PC computer, general office equipment, telephone, radio, vehicles including medium to heavy equipment, pepper spray (Counter Assault Bear Deterrent), medical equipment, standard capture equipment, small hand held and power tools.
Physical position Description:
Essential Physical Tasks: Standing, walking, twisting, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching motions, lifting (up to 50lbs.).
Typical Working Conditions: Exposure to extreme heat, chemicals, and dust/airborne materials. Works with potentially dangerous animals (large ungulates, carnivores, venomous animals).
HOLIDAY WORK: Holiday, Evening and weekend work required. Available on as needed basis for emergencies.
TRAVEL: Occasional conference and workshop attendance available, if funding available. Some or all expenses paid.
Education and Pre-requisites
Qualifications:
• Prefer AA, AS or higher degree in Animal Science, Biology, Zoology or other related degree. Prefer zoo or exotic animal care experience.
• Veterinary Technician certification/skills is a plus
• Will substitute training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skill, and abilities. Generally, one year of paid full time exotic animal experience substitutes for one year of college level work.
• Valid California driver’s license.
• Must be insurable on The Living Desert’s automobile insurance.
Specific Skills:
• In depth knowledge of zoo animal husbandry and observational skills
• Ability to work with potentially dangerous animals.
• Must be capable of emergency response handling to avoid injury to self, others, and animals.
• Ability to enter accurately medical and animal daily reports using ZIMS and an in house computer program
• General knowledge of computer applications including but not limited to Excel & ZIMS
• Software literate in Microsoft Access, Word, Excel. ZIMS knowledge is a plus.
• Good organizational, observation and active listening skills.
• Creative problem-solving abilities to enhance the welfare of hospitalized or quarantined animals
• Enthusiasm for and experience with animal training and enrichment a plus
• Ability to give and comprehend written and oral instructions, and to accurately carry out those instructions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Must be a motivated self-starter who needs minimal supervision and be able to work with others as a team.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Ability to work at a fast pace while still paying attention to detail
Compensation and benefits
$14.96/hr
MEDICAL – HMO or PPO (includes prescription drugs)
DENTAL – HMO or PPO
VISION
LIFE INSURANCE
$25,000 AD&D provided to full time employee enrolled in health plan
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
Up to $2,650 per year for unreimbursed medical expenses; Up to $5,000 per year for childcare expenses.
401k
Eligibility is after you have been employed for 6 months and have worked at least 1,000 hours. There may be a discretionary match of 2% offered at certain times with Board approval.
PAID TIME OFF (PT0)
Length of Service Maximum Time-Off Earned
1 month – 5 years 6.15 hours/pay period = 20 days/year
6 years – 10 years 7.69 hours/pay period = 25 days/year
11 years – 15 years 9.23 hours/pay period = 30 days/year
16+ years 10.77 hours/pay period = 35 days/year
SICK LEAVE
On July 1st each year full-time employees receive 7 days of sick leave to be used in that year. Employees hired after July 1st prior to the end of the fiscal year will receive paid sick leave prorated based on the employee’s classification and hire date. However, the amount of prorated sick leave for the year will not be less than 3 days.
OTHER BENEFITS:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Professional Memberships/Dues
Gift Shop Discount
Café/Grill Food Discount
Professional Development
Jury or Witness Duty Pay
Application instructions
To apply for this position: Qualified applicants must send resume, three (3) references and cover letter to Dr. Andrea Goodnight, Head Veterinarian at animalcaremanagers@livingdesert.org Cover letter should include how you will be key in moving the Animal Department forward and how you will move The Living Desert mission forward. Deadline for submissions: Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 5pm (pst).