Animal Care Professional-Animal Ambassador

Do you enjoy conveying your passion for conservation to the public in an entertaining yet informative manner? If so, we encourage you to apply to be part of Naples Zoo’s team! The Animal Ambassador department is seeking a Full-Time team-oriented candidate. The qualified candidates will have previous experience in presenting live animals, public speaking and a strong background utilizing operant conditioning techniques. Our current animal collection includes birds, small mammals and reptiles, previous experience working with a variety of animals would be an advantage but not required. We invite you to bring your skills to our team!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Advanced animal husbandry and care of assigned animals to maximize animal wellness 
2. Observation of animal behavior to monitor health and wellbeing
3. Notification of any animal or safety concerns to the appropriate supervisor
4. Maintain records in accordance with protocols and as directed
5. Perform all area specific standard operating procedure and assist with training staff/interns as requested 
6. Comply with and enforce any zoo wide safety protocols and procedures and bring forth any potential hazards for staff, visitors, and animals to the applicable supervisors/managers
7. Support veterinary health needs as requested
8. Perform animal handling and restraint as needed 
9. Actively train approved specific animal behaviors for husbandry, management, and veterinary procedures. 
10. Actively participate in animal enrichment, including generating and implementing new items and submitting them through the appropriate approval process 
11. Respond to emergencies as assigned 
12. Knowledge of regulatory standards (USDA. FWC. AZA) and ability to recognize a concern and report it to the appropriate supervisor 
13. Interact with Zoo visitors in an engaging and professional manner; to include but not limited to, answering questions, conducting shows, keeper chats, and special tours. 
14. Provide support for education and conservation programing as needed
15. Assist with special events and requests from marketing and development as needed
16. Perform skilled assignments related to animal care and wellness and prioritize routines and project in accordance with sound time management and efficiency 
17. Effectively communicated with co-workers, supervisor and other Zoo personnel to support overall needs of the animals, department and organization 
18. Actively participate in area meeting
19. Assist with managing projects as needed

 SUPERVISION

Work is performed under the direction of the Field Supervisor of Animal Ambassadors and Director of Animal Programs.  Additional guidance is received through established policies and procedures, plus verbal and written communications.

 Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications and Experience:

• An Associate or Bachelor’s degree in an animal related field is preferred. Life experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
• Minimum one-year paid experience in an AZA accredited institution or two-year paid experience in a non-AZA institution preferred.
• Must be a positive, effective team member and be able to establish and maintain professional working relationships
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, views, and work styles
• Ability to work both independently and as a team
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environment and maintain a positive attitude during times of stress
• Must be self-motivated and goal-oriented
• Must have good written and oral communication skills
• Must have knowledge of animal husbandry, animal welfare and operant conditioning
• Must have the ability to work flexible hours as needed.
• Must be able to organize/prioritize workload to meet deadlines
• Ability to operate a vehicle and run small machinery
• Must be able to think logically and solve problems accordingly
• Must be able to communicate with guests in a kind courteous manner
• Computer competency with Microsoft programs
• Knowledge of Species 360/ZIMS data entry a plus, not required. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

 Associate or Bachelor’s degree in an animal related field is preferred. Life experience may be substituted.

 LANGUAGE ABILITY

• Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, insurance regulations, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries and complaints.

 REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

 CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid Florida or state state issued driver license and must be age 21 to drive personal motor vehicle for business.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the following have been identified as physical requirements of the job:

•           Ability to work outside in weather condition typical of South Florida

•           Employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift and/move up to 65 pounds, stand for long period of time.

•           Ability to operate Zoo bicycles.

•           Ability to frequently handle and/or grip or reach for objects.

•           Ability to sit, walk distances, climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel and crouch

•           Ability to communicate and operate a radio

The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment of the position.

 Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT

Working conditions are normal for an office environment.  Work may require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

Naples Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The ADA requires Naples Zoo to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with the Human Resources Office. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Naples Zoo is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive company culture, and our team does not discriminate against candidates and employees because of their disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law.