JOB SUMMARY
This is an entry-level position in animal care and interpretation. The Ambassador Animal Specialist is responsible for the operant conditioning training, presenting, care, and husbandry for animals associated with Ambassador Animal Experiences. This job encourages and facilitates a strong team and work ethic and a positive attitude in the work environment at all times. The Specialist will work collaboratively to ensure that animals are utilized safely and appropriately to provide fun and engaging wildlife presentations that convey the Dallas Zoo’s mission of Engaging People & Saving Wildlife and vision of Creating a Better World for Animals.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide overall daily care of assigned animals and habitats to ensure animal health, safety, and welfare, staff and public safety as set forth by AZA, USDA, and DZM to include:
• Observe and monitor animals’ general health and behavior, reporting any abnormal behavior to supervisor and/or veterinary staff;
• Prepare and provide food for assigned animals, following written instructions, provide water and administer medication as instructed to ensure proper nutrition and health;
• Clean animal habitats, holding spaces, food prep areas, and equipment, maintaining a high level of sanitation, conducting pest control activities and reporting any mechanical defects that would endanger the animal, zoo staff, and/or guests;
• Achieve the highest standards of animal welfare and wellness by providing environmental enrichment and training sessions, using operant conditioning, as applicable;
• Assist team to produce and present wildlife programs that engage and inspire audiences through fun, exciting, and professional animal encounters that promote the mission and vision of the Dallas Zoo;
• Interact positively and professionally at all times;
• Actively encourage interest in wildlife through positive interaction with zoo guests via educational presentations focused on animals, biology, conservation, and environmental issues;
• Perform general maintenance and repair of area: painting, repairing fences and shelters, abating erosion, planting ground cover and removing weeds;
• Prepare and update animal records for animal husbandry, training, program usage, enrichment, reports and surveys, assisting in research projects as necessary to ensure thorough documentation and enhanced knowledge of animal biology;
• Assist and participate in media events, special tours, and public relations projects, as necessary;
• Participate in and support Dallas Zoo’s Strategic and Master Plans and departmental collection plans;
• Obtain a working knowledge of animal training through operant conditioning, heavily emphasizing positive reinforcement through observing and participating in training sessions;
• Utilize the enrichment item/device proposal form to create new enrichment ideas and items to be added to taxa repertoires and properly record the results of enrichment items after each use;
• Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees and work groups;
• Study specific reference materials pertinent to animal care, behavior and natural history as assigned;
• Follow all safety protocols and understand the animal care team’s role in emergency procedures, responding to emergencies as required;
• Be able to supervise and train volunteers and interns within the department has needed;
• Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in animal science, biology or related field OR an Associate’s degree in an animal science, biology or related field plus one year of paid animal care experience is preferred.
• Must have knowledge of animal care, training, observation and basic husbandry skills, and at least one year preferred of exotic animal care experience at an AZA-accredited facility.
• Public presentation and animal training experience strongly desired, with the ability to present to both small and large crowds in formal and informal settings.
• Must be a flexible, efficient, self-motivated team player, and solution-oriented: finding creative solutions to complex challenges;
• Must be capable of practicing, or willing to learn, safe methods of capture and restraint for a variety of taxa;
• Must be able to establish and maintain an effective rapport with all levels of management, employees, interns, volunteers, and zoo guests;
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, following instructions and documenting animal care activities appropriately;
• Ability to represent the Zoo in a professional manner at all times;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with management, other employees & zoo guests;
• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull bend, climb stairs and ladders and carry up to 50 lbs;
• Must be able to work holidays and weekends, both regular and irregular hours as required;
• Regular, reliable and punctual attendance is an essential function of this position;
• Must be able to actively work outdoors in hot or inclement weather;
• Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment drug screening, background check and TB test;
• Must have a valid driver’s license to operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this job and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties to be assigned.
