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The San Bernardino County Special Districts Department is currently recruiting for a Lead Animal Keeperat the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. The Lead Animal Keeper, plans, assigns, directs and reviews the work of employees caring for animals, assures the exhibit premises are maintained in a clean and aesthetically pleasing manner; applies sound mentorship principles and techniques in building and maintaining an effective work force; assures the safety of the animals, patrons and employees and performs related work.
For more details, view the Lead Animal Keeper job description.
The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a rehabilitation facility offering injured, orphaned and imprinted wild animals a safe haven temporarily while they heal or permanently as they are unable to survive on their own. We are extremely proud that the vast majority of animals brought to us for rehabilitation are successfully released back into their native environment. Those that remain with us on exhibit are either too injured or have been imprinted by humans and cannot be released back into the wild to care for themselves.
The Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, a Special District of San Bernardino County, owns the zoo, the facilities and the animals. County employees are hired for animal care, grounds keepers, maintenance, education and administration. The zoo is located within the 3rd District of San Bernardino County. The Park District oversees the operation of the zoo, and the Curator oversees the day to day activities of the zoo. The zoo is located in the San Bernardino National Forest at an elevation of 7140 feet. For more information visit https://bigbearzoo.org/
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Pre-Employment Process: Prior to appointment, applicants must undergo a background check, which includes fingerprinting and a medical exam.
Availability: Must be able to work in the mountain area of Big Bear, CA and report to work in extreme weather conditions such as ice and snow. Please indicate availability for Big Bear on Agency Wide Question #2. Must be able to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
Travel: Travel within the County may be required. A valid California Driver License and proof of automobile liability insurance must be provided at time of hire and maintained throughout employment.
Working Conditions: Applicants must be able to work outdoors in varying mountain weather conditions, drive in all weather conditions, lift and/or carry heavy objects up to fifty (50) pounds, stoop, kneel, crouch, bend over, crawl, and perform other physical activities in the performance of job duties for this position.
Sponsorship: San Bernardino County is unable to consider to candidates who require Visa Sponsorship at this time or in the future. Candidates must be able to present their legal right to work in the United States at the time of employment.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates must meet ONE (1) of the minimum requirement options.
OPTION 1
EXPERIENCE: Four (4) years full time equivalent experience providing animal care, feeding, exercising, observing/documenting behavior, and cleaning enclosures, in a zoo, hospital/clinic, wildlife rehabilitation center or similar experience. Experience must include a variety of wildlife/exotic animals or sick/injured animals.
OPTION 2
Desired Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess:
- An understanding of and the ability to effectively apply the principles and practices of supervision including planning, delegating and controlling work, training, instructing, motivating and counseling subordinate personnel, monitoring and evaluating work performance, employee discipline;
- An understanding of all the types, characteristics and habits and the food and water needs of mammals, birds and reptiles;
- An understanding of the common minor ailments, diseases and injuries, the emergency treatment of common injuries, and the hazards of working with zoo animals;
- The knowledge of techniques and developments in exhibiting zoo animals;
- Knowledge of animal training for husbandry purposes;
- The ability to recognize potential disease and methods of transmission;
- An understand the maintenance requirements of a zoo;
- The ability to recognize the dynamics of wildlife in a group setting and be able to adjust husbandry.
Selection Process
To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note, if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application we have not received your application.
All communications regarding the remainder of the selection process will be via email. Please be sure the email provided on this application is always current; it is your responsibility to update your personal information. Update your Spam, Junk, Bulk and Firewall settings as needed to ensure that you receive all information pertaining to this recruitment.
EEO/ADA: San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants.
ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and require accommodations in the testing process, submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of a recruitment filing deadline.
