ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST I - 0926

Under regular direction and in compliance with standard operating procedures, provides daily care for assigned animals. Maintains exhibits and grounds to the highest standards set by the Greenville Zoo and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Provides general maintenance and landscaping in exhibits and non-public animal exhibit areas. Participates in guest engagement activities and educational programming.

• Provide Animal Care: Prepare animal diets and present food to animals. Provide animals fresh water daily in appropriate containers. Check animal enclosures for any disrepair. Clean and disinfect animal enclosures. Observe, monitor, and record animal behavior, physical condition, and activity. Collaborate with fellow Animal Section staff on the completion of Animal Welfare Assessments. Plan, propose, create, provide, and document environmental enrichment opportunities. Plan, propose, execute, and document operant conditioning sessions. Provide enrichment and operant conditioning sessions regularly to reduce stress, enrich the lives of the animals, assist in veterinary care, and build relationships with animals. Prepare and submit daily reports that document detailed observations of animal behavior, dietary intake, physical appearance, level of activity, and related issues. Research species-specific natural history and current trends and developments in the zoo field. Respond to animal emergencies as directed, following approved protocols.

• Perform Exhibit Area Maintenance: Provide general maintenance in exhibits and non-public animal exhibit areas. Provide landscaping in exhibits and non-public animal exhibit areas including mowing, trimming, and pruning vegetation and grasses. Make simple repairs to commonly used equipment and tools (e.g., brooms, squeegees, rakes, and hoses). Maintain mechanical apparatus (e.g., locks, valves, and shift doors). Construct species-specific exhibit fixtures. Collaborate with Zoo Maintenance crew and external contractors on in-house construction projects (e.g., exhibits, exhibit furniture, enrichment, animal holding and transport equipment).

• Perform Educational & Guest Engagement Activities: Provide professional presentations and informal talks to the visiting public and school groups. Assist with media interviews. Support special events and Zoo rentals as assigned, including set-up and breakdown. Support various operational and staff committees as assigned. Oversee volunteers and interns assigned to work unit.

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• At least one (1) year of professional experience in exotic animal care.

• Associate degree in biology, zoology, animal science, conservation, wildlife, or a related field.

• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.

• Exotic animal care.

• Animal behavior and natural history.

• Behavioral enrichment and operant conditioning.

• Recognize animal behavioral cues and respond appropriately.

• Safely capture, handle, and restrain live exotic and potentially dangerous animals and use associated capture equipment.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public.

• Communicate in verbal and written formats clearly, effectively, and professionally.

• Communicate educational information to the public in a respectful and knowledgeable manner through presentations and informal talks.

• Demonstrate a high level of motivation and a willingness to adapt positively to change in a fast-paced environment.

• Read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical documents, and standard operating procedures as well as literature, books, reviews, reports, and abstracts on best practices in animal care.

• Deal with a system of real numbers; and practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement as it relates to animal care, medical instructions, and exhibit improvements. 

• Learn and apply skills associated with utilizing specialized software and systems including record keeping software and point of sale systems.

• Work in inclement weather conditions including cold rain, wind, heat, snow, sleet, etc.

• Operate motor vehicles, electric carts, utility vehicles, lawn mowers, landscaping equipment, and various hand and power tools.

• Operate general office equipment including scanner, printer, copier, telephone, and computer with Microsoft Office Suite.

Primary Work Location:  Outdoors (Zoo exhibits and grounds).

Protective Equipment Required:  Latex and leather gloves, eye protection, earplugs, face mask, respirator, safety glasses, and other specialty personal protective equipment depending on project (e.g., chainsaw chaps).

Environmental/Health and Safety Factors:  

Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk. Daily exposure to physical hazards. Weekly exposure to respiratory hazards. Monthly exposure to noise and vibration as well as chemical hazards and communicable diseases. Seasonal exposure to extreme temperature and wetness and/or humidity, as well as mechanical hazards due to the use of landscaping and power tools to maintain animal exhibits.

Physical Demands:  

Continuously requires standing, walking, vision, and hearing. Frequently requires lifting, carrying, reaching, kneeling, crawling, pushing/pulling, bending, crouching and stooping, and talking. Occasionally requires sitting, fine dexterity, handling/grasping, climbing, balancing, and twisting. Rarely requires foot controls. Heavy strength demands include exerting 50-100 pounds occasionally, 20-50 pounds frequently, or from 10 up to 20 pounds constantly. Lift animals, grain sacks, hay bales, squeeze cage, lumber, and tents.

Mental Demands:  

Frequently requires time pressures and working closely with others as part of a team. Occasionally requires frequent change in tasks, irregular schedule/overtime, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, tedious, or exacting work, and noisy/distracting environment. Rarely requires emergency situations.

The City of Greenville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Prospective and current employees should contact Human Resources to request an ADA accommodation.

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.