Animal Care Specialist - Jobs in Calgary, AB

Job Description

Animal Care SpecialistAnimal Care Solutions is seeking an experienced full-time Animal Care Specialist to provide animal care and support services at the Calgary Zoo. The successful candidate will join a team of passionate and experienced individuals to provide animal care services to the animal collection of the Calgary Zoo. Animal Care Solutions is part of the Animal Care Centre of Strathmore. We provide top quality animal care services, “Because We Care.” We are passionate about the animals in our care and the people on our teams. We are able to support and directly contribute to wildlife conservation in Alberta and Canada, which makes us very proud!Reporting to the Section Manager and subordinate to the Animal Care Supervisor in an assigned work area, the Animal Care Specialist provides day-to-day care to a variety of collection animals by maintaining holdings and displays and meeting approved animal husbandry standards, including reporting requirements. This position may work directly with dangerous animals. This position is also responsible for meeting public and internal client needs by participating in educational talks, demonstrations, and answering queries of a general nature.Qualifications· Certification in Zoo and Aquarium Technology (ZAT) or equivalent or in-house training program and 4 years of animal care experience; OR Related Undergraduate Degree and 3 years of animal care experience· Experience to include working with a variety of exotic animals from each of the identified husbandry areas; and, advanced skills and experience in at least four of the identified husbandry areas: fish; amphibians/reptiles; birds; primates; carnivores; hoof stock· Good communication skills and good understanding and attitude towards goals of the Calgary Zoo.· Required vaccinations· Ability to work inside and outside· Ability to lift and carry 35kg’sPrimary duties· Provides prescribed diet and fresh water to a variety of collection animals, reports dietary concerns or changes to zone supervisor, monitors animal diet and acceptance and suggest well-reasoned alternatives to composition or presentation of animal diets.· Maintains approved organizational standards for exhibits and back of house areas through regular cleaning and disinfection as prescribed in protocols, setting up exhibits and furniture that is species specific, participating in pest management program and the reporting of required facility and equipment maintenance and repair.· Observes a variety of collection animals for deviations from normal physical or psychological behaviour, reports changes to supervisor and veterinarians, provides prescribed treatments and assists with the execution of animal capture or restrain for veterinary procedures, animal transfers and shipments.· Proposes, implements and tracks appropriate behavioural training and enrichment for a variety of collection animals to encourage a range of natural species-specific behaviours.· Completes accurate and detailed electronic records and maintains current knowledge of same.· Completes a variety of checklists, notes, reports and other documentation specific to the worksite and/or animal collection as assigned.· Reviews historical data to ensure that animal health/diet/welfare is being performed appropriately and consistently over time, understanding the big picture activities on section.· Participates in a variety of meetings and mandatory training opportunities.· Supports the zoo mission, inspiring action to sustain wildlife and wild places by providing design input and performing talks and demonstrations, hosting behind the scenes tours and responding to general public and internal inquiries; may also respond to media inquiries.· Shares knowledge and experience of day-to-day duties with zone supervisor, Exempt Manager (Curators), and other levels of animal care staff.· Orients trainee animal care technicians to an area, clearly communicating efficient and safe ways to maintain approved work standards and expectations in the given section.· Trains and mentors as directed, demonstrating correct methods to perform specific tasks or skills without compromising welfare or safety of animals, staff or visitors.· May be deputized by the Manager to perform supervisory duties during the absence of a supervisor, including indirect supervision of less experienced animal care staff.· Has skills, knowledge and experience allowing the exercise of sound judgment and making decisions that may deviate from day-to-day routine where there is no compromise to the welfare or safety of animals, staff or visitors.· Supports Managers with continuous improvement, efficiency and communication, maintains documents that capture important section information, identifying and submitting work requests as appropriate.Working Conditions: Close contact with animals, environmental conditions (extreme temperatures, weather events), substrate (hard surfaces, slippery surfaces, varied terrain), zoonotic disease (contact with animal body fluids), chemical exposure (cleaning agents and disinfectants). Physical demands include walking, standing, raking, shoveling, squeegeeing, scrubbing, scooping, hosing, loading, lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, crouching, crawling, kneeling, restraining, and capturing.Note: Applicants may be contacted, interviewed and hired throughout the duration of this competition.Contract length: 12 monthsApplication Deadline: 2022-01-05Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contractSalary: $25.00-$30.00 per hourSchedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekend availability

Education:

• Bachelors Degree (preferred)

Work remotely:

• No

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