What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mammal Care Specialist (Large Mammals/Hoofstock) position at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens?
Do you have experience with large mammals and/or hoof stock? The growing, inclusive, and conservation-focused Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is seeking a full-time, Animal Care Specialist with responsibilities centered on the care and wellness of animals and maintenance of assigned areas. This position provides an opportunity to work with a diverse collection of animals, so the ability and skill set to work with a wide range of species that include mammal populations such as elephants, giraffes, klipspringer, white rhinos, greater kudu, Grevy's zebra, marabou stork, African crowned-cranes, African lions, Warthogs, Bongo, Yellow-backed duiker, Stanley cranes, Marabou stork, and ostrich.
What You'll Do:
- Animal Care: Monitor, inspect, feed, clean, and make minor repairs to animal enclosures. Observe/record. Maintain daily records.
- Guest Interactions: An energetic and effective communicator who can engage and convey basic facts and natural history knowledge to guests.
- Safety and Security: Comply with specific Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), policies, and protocols to prioritize human and animal safety.
What You Bring:
- Proven satisfactory performance in an unpaid or paid position at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
- Completion of a relevant internship, experience, and/or college coursework in a related field.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Experience working with large mammals and/or hoof stock (non-domesticated).
- Strong observational, organizational, and record-keeping skills.
- An excellent safety record and the ability to adhere to protocols.
- Engaging communication skills for guest interactions and teamwork.
- Ability to perform physically demanding tasks and work in varying environmental conditions.
- Equivalent experience working with wildlife in human care:
- Animal Care Specialist I: At least 6 months of unpaid experience.
- Animal Care Specialist II: At least 2 years of paid experience.
- Senior Animal Care Specialist: At least 5 years of paid experience.
- A degree in a related life science.
- Paid experience in wildlife care in a zoological setting at an AZA accredited facility.
- Ability to safely operate motorized cart, trucks, hand, and power tools.
- Ability to transport and move items up to 50 pounds frequently for short distances.
- Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs.
- Ability to consistently remain on your feet for prolonged periods of time.
- Ability to access and navigate each department at the organization on foot and/or operate a motorized cart.
- Exceptional visual acuity required, along with the ability to communicate, comprehend and decipher information accurately, using a two-way radio.
- Manual dexterity for standing, reaching, flexibility, and body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling, stoop, bend, lift, kneel, crawl, climb, jump, dig and prolonged standing.
- Grasp, turn, and manipulate objects of varying size and weight, requiring fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Visual and auditory acuity appropriate plant care for safety and to discern differences in documents/labels.
EOE / DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE
