Job Description
Job DescriptionSalary: $26-$28/Hour
Animal Wellbeing Advisor
Essential Job Functions
- Develop and maintain welfare-based assessment and enrichment programs, create tools, forms and policies, to fulfill AZA and USDA standards.
- Oversee the implementation of the welfare and enrichment programs in areas with animals
- Work collaboratively with all animal areas and management to facilitate appropriate response to enrichment assessments, welfare assessments and concerns and improve animal wellbeing.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Routinely review and update existing welfare and enrichment policy, procedures and tools, and develop new ones as needed.
- Develop or update training materials and conduct training of employees in the importance of animal enrichment and welfare, how ZNEs programs operates and how to use all the tools available to them.
- Assist in creating assessment schedules and enrichment calendars and ensure the high quality and timely completion of animal department logs, enrichment efforts and planners created.
- Assist with follow-up on welfare assessment and enrichment offered, with metrics, goals and improvement plans.
- Conduct and/or participate in routine welfare assessments, scheduled events, and Quality of Life, in person or remote, routinely to maintain quality of completion and critical thinking.
- Work collaboratively with the staff caring for animals, curatorial team and training advisor when applicable, to identify and mitigate behavioral concerns.
- Act as an Animal Care representative for the welfare concern process. Provide leadership in the Enrichment Committee (co-chair or chair) and participate in the Animal Management committee. Participate in welfare related discussions in relevant meetings such as ACOps and VAC.
- Observe and advise in the enrichment and welfare of the animal collection, from the perspective of collection planning and exhibit design or modifications.
- Maintain enrichment database and inform staff of proper enrichment protocols. Serves as the enrichment committee chair. Participate in the enrichment approval process and assist
staff to acquire, design and build enrichment devices.
- Create, monitor and follow-up in behavioral modification plans with the care teams to address abnormal behaviors
- Develop, implement or assist in research on enrichment and welfare internally when needed. Stay informed on advancements in animal welfare and behavioral husbandry, AZA/USDA requirements, and pertinent zoo topics.
- When needed, respond to queries, received through official zoo channels, related to animal welfare and enrichment from the public and zoo professionals.
- Collaborate with outside institutions for enrichment projects (e.g. MassArt, Northeastern, girl scouts, Aggie schools, volunteer groups, etc), teach, coach to get usable products.
- Perform related work as required and/or assigned, in any area of either zoo.
Working Conditions
- May have frequent exposure and close contact with a variety of exhibit animals, of all taxa.
- May need to bend, stoop, run, climb, kneel, reach, and lift.
- May be required to move moderate to heavy objects and use power tools.
- May work in uneven terrain, slippery surfaces, confined spaces or work from elevated positions.
- May have exposure to varying weather conditions, dust, and allergens.
- May handle toxic and/or hazardous materials.
- Ability to drive and operate motor vehicles and hold a valid State Drivers License.
- Must be able and willing to work weekends, holidays, and overtime though this position is primarily Monday-Friday.
- Ability to assist in emergencies and cope with high stress situations, e.g., the recapture of escaped animals or emergency assistance to guests as directed.
Minimum Job Requirement
- Knowledge with AZA accreditation standards, code of ethics, and current industry behavioral husbandry practices.
- B.S. in Zoology, Biology, Psychology, Ecology or a related biological field.
- Minimum of 5 years experience with extensive, progressive exotic animal care, behavior and husbandry in an AZA-accredited institution or an institution with equivalent standards.
- Must have demonstrated general knowledge and skill development in the management of animals in a zoo. Must possess the ability and responsibility to train others in these areas safely.
- Must be able to create and strategically implement programs among large teams.
- Must be able to think critically about and communicate effectively using evidence and knowledge on topics relating to animal welfare and evaluate current care standards and animal cases based on modern techniques and the latest scientific evidence on best practices.
- TB tested negative before starting and tested 3 yearly thereafter. Acceptance of zoonotic disease prevention protocols as mandated by ZNE, including rabies, hepatitis, prophylactics, fecal screens, serum storage, etc.
- Creative and positive attitude, organize and have good work history.
- Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to understand and convey instructions and information of a technical nature.
- Must have the computer skills necessary including applications in Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Zoom, ZIMS and more.
- Must have strong leadership skills, desire to engage others and enhance their skills in animal care and welfare
- Must be self-motivated, with the ability to effectively manage time and resources.
- Must have the ability and willingness to function independently and as a member of a team.
Preferred Job Requirements
- Post graduate degree in animal welfare or a related field
- Experience or education in program development preferred
- Effective and engaging public speaker
- Experience teaching and coaching various size groups