Animal Care Specialist

The Marine Life Animal Care Specialist is an experience animal care staff who is proficient and confident assisting the supervisors and managers in problem solving, complex task such as life support systems, complex animal behaviours, staff mentoring ,operational changes, nutritional changes, has excellent communication skills can be relay to work on alone and guide others, must have excellent guest service and excel on public programs and presentations.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Demonstrating extensive knowledge on the care, biology, physiology, and environmental requirements for all marine life species.
• Demonstrating outstanding efficiency on opening and closing tasks, training, guiding and overseeing junior staff.
• Knowledge of Operant Conditioning Training techniques.
• Training complex behaviors with all animals in the facility.
• Working alongside the Marine Life Education Supervisor to create efficient animal program schedules.
• Assisting in the development and maintenance of training programs to ensure industry guidelines, government regulations, policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Assisting with planning, design and construction of exhibits while maintaining the facilities through routine maintenance.
• Assisting in managing the animal life support program including staff training for servicing life support systems, water chemistry, results analysis, and making changes accordingly.
• Training and mentoring on staff presentations ensuring exceptional customer service while delivering an educational and conservational message about the facility and animals.
• Maintaining animal and animal care staff safety through health and safety policies and protocols for day-to-day facility procedures.
• Assisting with organizing and overseeing computer programs and record keeping.
• Training staff in non-voluntary handling and behavior techniques such as restraint, and unconditioned medical behaviors.
• Training and mentoring staff to work with a diverse collection of animals for mall-walks, exhibit cleans, feeding schedules, reptile and spineless wonders outreaches.
• Assigning daily job tasks according to operational requirements.
• Understanding animal needs by monitoring health and collecting samples.
• Assisting in managing and performing a comprehensive nutritional program.
• Other responsibilities as required.

Desired Qualifications:

• 10 years of work experience in Animal Behavior Modification and Operant Conditioning applied to Marine Mammals and birds with focus on husbandry, socialization and interactive programs.
• Bachelor's degree in relevant biological field. Extensive experience in animal care may serve in lieu of a degree.
• Thorough familiarization with operation of a CAZA facility, including knowledge and understanding of modern animal husbandry techniques.
• Previous experience with public speaking, customer service experience and effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office with the ability to easily learn different software programs.
• Valid Class 5 Alberta driver’s license and able to provide a clear 3-year Driver’s Abstract.
• Rescue SCUBA diver level certification from an internationally recognized institution.
• The ability to lift 50lbs.

Terms of Employment:

• This is a full-time position that requires flexible availability Monday through Sunday including days, evenings, occasional night shift, weekends and holidays.
• Must be able to pass a basic security clearance and provide a clear drivers abstract every year.