Senior Animal Care Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Animal Care Specialist - Senior

REPORTS TO: Animal Care Program Supervisor

SUPERVISES: Animal Care Specialists,Associate Animal Care Specialists, Apprentice Animal Care Specialists, volunteers and interns within the Animal Care Program

EXEMPT OR NON-EXEMPT: Exempt

PERCENTAGE OF FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT: 100%

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

In good physical condition, with an ability to work long hours in extreme weather conditions, including, but not limited to; extreme heat, cold, high humidity, direct sunlight, rain, wind, and other outdoor conditions. Able to routinely perform physically demanding work. Additional requirements include the following attributes and abilities:

• Pass swim test Annually
• Lift up to 50lbs to waist level - Frequently
• Lift up to 20lbs to shoulders and above head Frequently
• Walk/stand for long periods of time - Frequently
• Maneuver safely on uneven terrain or in tight spaces - Frequently
• Safely climb ladders when needed Frequently
• Squat, bend, kneel, twist and reach - Frequently
• Reach above the shoulders - Frequently
• Push and pull larger equipment Frequently
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions and adapt to changing weather Frequently
• Work indoors, under cover without air conditioning or heat Frequently

POSITION RESPONSIBILITY:

The Senior Animal Care Specialist will be expected to support the goals and objectives of the Animal Care Department by performing the responsibilities including but not limited to the following standards of operations and care as identified in this position description. Provide the highest possible daily healthcare to the CMA animal population. Maintain and advance animal training with all animals in the CMA population. Maintain, create, implement and condition environmental enrichment devices. Ensure proper husbandry equipment is maintained. Mentor, coach and guide all personnel to achieve high quality training techniques, enrichment and husbandry practices. Perform educational and entertaining presentations. Conduct fun and educational animal interaction programs. Prepare daily animal diets. Maintain sanitary areas for food preparation and storage. Collect and record accurate animal data. Assess animal behavior and health daily and report any anomalies to the department manager. Ensure a high standard of guest service is carried out. Maintain a flexible work schedule and adapt to shifting priorities. Be familiar with and ensure all duties are performed in accordance with departmental and CMA policies and procedures.

The Senior Animal Care Specialist will work with CMA management to support the mission, vision and values of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. They will also work with CMA management to support and participate in departmental plans and projects, enhance team knowledge and advance techniques.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide the best care possible to the animal collection
• Follow safe policies and provide a safe working environment for animals, team members and guests
• Demonstrate strong communication skills with clear, friendly, and effective verbal and nonverbal communication
• Exhibit great problem solving and time-management skills with ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple tasks at once
• Be diligent in a fast-paced environment with a full schedule and changing priorities
• Notice areas of improvement and present creative solutions to management
• Demonstrate ability to maintain previously established animal behavior and identify when maintenance schedule needs to be implemented
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding, execution and maintenance of training techniques.
• Demonstrate ability to troubleshoot during atypical situations
• Ensure all personnel within the Animal Care team is thoroughly and properly trained in the following:
  • Training techniques
  • Animal Welfare
  • Maintenance schedules
  • Creation, implementation, and conditioning of EEDs
  • Pro-active behavior management
  • Aggression prevention
• Demonstrate ability to develop, condition and implement enrichment with all animals in the collection

• Submit enrichment initiatives and species specific enrichment techniques and products to Senior Enrichment Coordinator for approval

• Works closely with animal point, Senior Enrichment Coordinator and supervisory staff to implement initiatives
• Demonstrate a strong knowledge in training and sample collection of advanced husbandry procedures
• Demonstrate ability to plan, organize and conduct all aspects of an animal procedure
• Prioritize human and animal safety as it pertains to exhibit doors and locks
• Maintain animal habitats to highest standard outlined by USDA, ensuring that aesthetics as well as function are the primary focus
• Ensure proper administration of medications to all animals as prescribed by the veterinarian
• Demonstrate proficiency in proper netting, gating and separation techniques
• Facilitate the overall development of the Animal Care Specialists, associate Animal Care Specialists, apprentice Animal Care Specialists, and Animal Care volunteers and interns
• Supervise and provide feedback to Animal Care Specialists, associate Animal Care Specialists, and apprentice Animal Care Specialists after training sessions
• Responsible for ensuring that all members of the Animal Care team are thoroughly and properly trained on all policies and protocols pertaining to the Animal Care department
• Responsible for delegating workloads
• Organize USDA checks for assigned areas to ensure compliance with all regulations pertaining to the marine mammal department
• Understand, enforce and provide suggested updates on all department and assigned facility SOPs
• Assist Marine Mammal Supervisor in writing annual employee evaluations
• Assist Marine Mammal Manager and Supervisor with staff and volunteer conflict as needed
• Demonstrate skills in public speaking to provide guests with educational and entertaining presentations and interactions
• Perform proficient opening and closing procedures for the entire facility
• Assist with tours, education programs and public relations or marketing events as assigned
• Complete training in safety programs including but not limited to:
  Water extrication, dive safety and current CPR/First Aid certification
• Pass annual swim test
• Must have a minimum of Exceeds Expectations overall rating on last evaluation to be considered for promotion
• Perform other duties as workload necessitates

MARGINAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Demonstrate efficiency in computer related tasks or assignments, including but not limited to data entry, MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Assist with grant writing as needed
• Assist with research projects as needed
• Assist with creating ways to fund projects
• Assist at offsite rehabilitation facilities with cetacean and otter rehab if/when necessary
• Assist with in house sea turtle procedures adhering to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) Marine Turtle permits held by CMA

EDUCATIONAL/CERTIFICATION PARAMETERS:

• Minimum of 24 months paid experience at an Animal Care Specialist level
• Bachelors degree in behavioral sciences, a related field, or equivalent experience preferred. Minimum requirement of high school diploma.
• SCUBA certification preferred