Chimpanzee Enrichment Technician

Full Job Description

Position Title: Chimpanzee Enrichment Technician

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Reports to: Chimpanzee Care Manager or their designee

Status: Full-time

Schedule: Full time 40 hrs./week - (4) 10-hr shifts. Will also consider candidates interested in working 30 hrs./week -
(3) 10-hour shifts.

About Save the Chimps

Save the Chimps is one of the largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuaries in the world. Located on nearly 150
acres in Ft. Pierce, Florida, the sanctuary provides high quality clinical and lifetime care and enrichment for
chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, entertainment, and the pet trade.

Save the Chimps was established in 1997 and is home to over 225 chimpanzees. The work of the organization is
accomplished by a nonprofit board of directors, more than 80 full-time employed staff, and a number of community
volunteers.

Position Overview

The Enrichment Technician (ET) position is responsible for preparing a variety of enrichment devices and prep for
larger enrichment devices each night. An ET is responsible for ensuring the enrichment schedule and food
restrictions are carefully followed. This is a full-time, non-exempt position (40 hours per week).

The following is a list of the essential functions of this position. This list is intended to be representative of
the tasks performed within the position description but is not limited to:

• Maintain a sanctuary that provides the highest possible standard of life for the chimpanzees in our care.

• Responds to emergency situations as directed by the Emergency Response Manual, and immediately

contacts the Chimpanzee Care Manager and other designated personnel for assistance. This includes
power outages, inclement weather, or anything else that demands immediate attention.

• Operates front gate in accordance with organizational protocol.

• Creatively prepares enrichment in accordance with the daily enrichment list.

• Record tasks and make notations in the night duty log on ZIMS as well as on the enrichment prep sheet.

• Report mechanical failures or utility failures to appropriate personnel, including but not limited to: local utility

companies, the Facilities and Project Manager and/or Chimpanzee Care Manager

• Ensures proper diets are accounted for and distributed to golf carts for delivery to the respective buildings

• Washes all produce in line with the Produce Washing protocol

• Restock dry goods as needed.

• Is familiar with all dietary restrictions for individual chimpanzees, and prevents inclusion of restricted items in

meals.

• Ensures that the kitchen and food storage areas, including refrigerators, shed, coolers and freezers, are kept

clean and organized.

• Disposes of kitchen reuse and recycles cardboard as needed.

• Delivers recycling bins to the dumpster area as needed.

• Launders and folds towels, washcloths, blankets, and other items used in the kitchen.

• Cleans and sanitizes all surfaces, utensils, and tools used.

• Carries a STC cell phone programmed with important numbers at all times, and ensures that the phone

remains fully charged.

• Communicates clearly all matters involving chimpanzee health and safety to appropriate staff.

• Participate in all-staff meetings, staff training and education sessions, and emergency response drills.

• Prepare for and assist with new chimpanzee arrivals that may be scheduled for the night hours.

• Ensures all safety protocols are followed as outlined in the Safety Manual.

Knowledge and Skills

• Must have a thorough knowledge of and a commitment to STC’s mission and safety policies.

• Ability to interact with individuals at all levels of the organization.

• The ability to work as a member of a team and share ideas and thoughts.

• Able to work well under pressure and have the ability to multitask.

• Must have the ability to work independently

• Must be dependable and punctual

• Ability to perform tasks with accuracy and attention to detail

Education and Work Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully
perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand for long periods of time; walk; sit;

use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs, step
stools, ladders; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear; able to push and pull metal doors. The
employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and team lift in excess of 55 lbs. Specific vision
abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth
perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Must be able to run and swim in the face of danger

Environmental Requirements

• Tasks are regularly performed with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen,

odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, animals/wildlife.

• Employees must not object to unpleasant chimpanzee behaviors including spitting of water or saliva,

throwing of feces, food or other waste, and chimpanzee displays that may include banging, kicking of the
fencing, and loud screams or hooting.

• Retaliation and/or negativity towards the chimpanzees are not permitted.

For the health and safety of the chimps and staff, all employees are required to obtain a variety of
immunizations or provide evidence of having completed them.

The successful candidate must be able to pass a drug screening and criminal background check.

Save the Chimps is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race,
color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual
orientation, or any other legally protected status.