San Diego Zoo
Wildlife Care Specialist, Behavior - Full Time - San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Diego Zoo, Escondido, California, United States, 92025
Wildlife Care Specialist, Behavior - Full Time - San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Job Description
Posted Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Expired Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 9:59 AM San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.
HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION The Wildlife Care Specialist Behavior performs all job assignments with a positive attitude that supports San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's mission and vision of saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in wildlife care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature and leading the fight against extinction. The Wildlife Care Specialist Behavior, under general supervision, performs a wide variety of functions in the training, handling and care of wildlife used for public appearances and contact, such as educational programs. This position reports to the Wildlife Training Supervisor or Manager.
The Wildlife Care Specialist Behavior performs a wide variety of moderately difficult tasks involved in preparing wildlife for public contact and presentations.
WHAT YOU WILL DO Trains wildlife in new behaviors and reinforces trained behaviors Prepares wildlife for a variety of stimuli, location and health maintenance using positive methods and participation from the animal Prepares and feed wildlife Manages wildlife to ensure public safety Transports wildlife to habitat or location for sharing conservation/sustainability messaging. Assists handlers, set up props, stages or other areas Assists medical staff in treatment of assigned wildlife Makes informational presentations to the public Cleans and maintains habitats and work areas Administers prescribed medication and nutritional supplements Keeps feeding, medication and other records regarding wildlife care Answers questions and provides information to the public regarding assigned wildlife WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Preferred candidate with bird of prey, carnivore and animal presentation experience
JOB EXPERIENCE Education, training and experience, which would clearly demonstrate the essential functions, knowledge and skills outlined; an example would be two or more years experience as a wildlife handler at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance or a comparable organization, preferred.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS Education, training and/or experience, which would clearly demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined. An example of which would be experience demonstrating these skills in a comparable zoological facility preferred. California Driver License within 30 days required
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE Knowledge of: Animal behavior Animal behavior modification Care, feeding and handling of wild animals Safety practices around wild animals SDZWA policies, procedures and regulations regarding the care, handling and training of exhibit animals Ability to: Train and modify behavior in a variety of environments Discriminate differences in animal vocalizations Monitor animal behavior Keep simple records Communicate and work effectively with others (verbal and written) Deal tactfully and courteously with the others in a diverse environment Respond to cautions from co-workers Monitor animal behavior and appearance Operate motorized equipment and vehicles Competently perform the essential functions outlined above SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Family Passes Complimentary Tickets Local and In-House Discounts Employee Assistance Program Wellness Program
IMPORTANT DETAILS Position Type: Hourly Full-Time Non-Exempt Union Position - If selected, there will be fees and dues to be paid to the union Hourly Rate: $31.05 Fraudulent Recruiting Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person. If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org . If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately. Be an ally for wildlife by joining our team! At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences. Diversity is vital for the benefit of our team members, our guests, our community, and our wildlife. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org and provide the job title and location to which you are applying. As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Description
Posted Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Expired Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 9:59 AM San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.
HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION The Wildlife Care Specialist Behavior performs all job assignments with a positive attitude that supports San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's mission and vision of saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in wildlife care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature and leading the fight against extinction. The Wildlife Care Specialist Behavior, under general supervision, performs a wide variety of functions in the training, handling and care of wildlife used for public appearances and contact, such as educational programs. This position reports to the Wildlife Training Supervisor or Manager.
The Wildlife Care Specialist Behavior performs a wide variety of moderately difficult tasks involved in preparing wildlife for public contact and presentations.
WHAT YOU WILL DO Trains wildlife in new behaviors and reinforces trained behaviors Prepares wildlife for a variety of stimuli, location and health maintenance using positive methods and participation from the animal Prepares and feed wildlife Manages wildlife to ensure public safety Transports wildlife to habitat or location for sharing conservation/sustainability messaging. Assists handlers, set up props, stages or other areas Assists medical staff in treatment of assigned wildlife Makes informational presentations to the public Cleans and maintains habitats and work areas Administers prescribed medication and nutritional supplements Keeps feeding, medication and other records regarding wildlife care Answers questions and provides information to the public regarding assigned wildlife WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Preferred candidate with bird of prey, carnivore and animal presentation experience
JOB EXPERIENCE Education, training and experience, which would clearly demonstrate the essential functions, knowledge and skills outlined; an example would be two or more years experience as a wildlife handler at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance or a comparable organization, preferred.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS Education, training and/or experience, which would clearly demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined. An example of which would be experience demonstrating these skills in a comparable zoological facility preferred. California Driver License within 30 days required
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE Knowledge of: Animal behavior Animal behavior modification Care, feeding and handling of wild animals Safety practices around wild animals SDZWA policies, procedures and regulations regarding the care, handling and training of exhibit animals Ability to: Train and modify behavior in a variety of environments Discriminate differences in animal vocalizations Monitor animal behavior Keep simple records Communicate and work effectively with others (verbal and written) Deal tactfully and courteously with the others in a diverse environment Respond to cautions from co-workers Monitor animal behavior and appearance Operate motorized equipment and vehicles Competently perform the essential functions outlined above SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Family Passes Complimentary Tickets Local and In-House Discounts Employee Assistance Program Wellness Program
IMPORTANT DETAILS Position Type: Hourly Full-Time Non-Exempt Union Position - If selected, there will be fees and dues to be paid to the union Hourly Rate: $31.05 Fraudulent Recruiting Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person. If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org . If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately. Be an ally for wildlife by joining our team! At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences. Diversity is vital for the benefit of our team members, our guests, our community, and our wildlife. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org and provide the job title and location to which you are applying. As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.
#J-18808-Ljbffr