Animal Care Technician - Calgary, Canada - Calgary Zoo

Description

Description

Grow your career as an animal care professional by joining the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo We are currently recruiting for an Animal Care Technician in our Animal Care, Health & Welfare branch. Animal Care Technicians are responsible for the high standard of daily care for a variety of animals in our care. They will support effective and efficient animal care operations including monitoring welfare, maintaining animal holdings and displays, and completing reporting requirements with a high degree of accuracy and detail on all days ideal candidate is someone who will readily participate in visitor engagement by delivering programs, educational talks and experiences, as well as answer queries of a general nature when on site. They are someone who plays an active role in developing new skills by identifying, participating in, and seeking feedback on opportunities for growth as an Animal Care professional. Our Mission | Take and inspire action to sustain wildlife and wild places Our Values | Effective collaboration and communication, honesty and integrity, customer focus, safety, and conservation Term: May 13, 2024 to June 12, 2025 (Maternity/Parental Leave coverage) What you will do: Husbandry:

Provide prescribed diets to a variety of animals, report dietary concerns or changes to supervisors, monitor animal weight/score/body condition

Maintain approved organizational standards for exhibits and back of house areas through regular cleaning (shoveling, raking, hosing, sweeping, wiping, etc.) and disinfection as prescribed in protocols, participation in the pest management program, and the reporting of required facility and equipment maintenance or repair

Provide prescribed treatments

Demonstrate established safe work practices

Animal Welfare:

Observe a variety of animals for deviations in normal physical or psychological behaviour, report changes to supervisors and veterinarians and complete timely documentation

Monitor and measure environmental needs of animals

Propose, implement, and track appropriate behavioural training and enrichment for a variety of animals to encourage a range of natural species-specific behaviours and/or to meet specific husbandry goals for welfare improvement

Provide the highest standards of care for animals hosted at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in accordance with established protocols and procedures under the guidance of Animal Care Supervisors and Animal Care Managers

Administration:

Complete accurate and detailed electronic records which provide veterinarians and supervisors with important information about animal health and welfare, ongoing treatments, changes, etc.

Complete a variety of checklists, reports, and other documentation specific to the work site and/or animals as assigned

Participate in timely review of protocols and mandatory internal training

Bring forward requested maintenance for designated work area (including repairs or replacement of tools and equipment) to Animal Care Specialists and Animal Care Supervisors

Public Interaction and Education:

Support the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo mission, inspiring action to sustain wildlife and wild places

Provide talks, demonstrations, and experiences including, but not limited to, organizational and educational messaging

Host tours or programs in back of house areas as directed

Provide accurate information and content on individual animals and husbandry to inform internal and external communications

Respond to or escalate public inquiries

Practical Skill Development:

Participate in various internal processes (ie. Behavioural Enrichment and Training Plans) from initiation to completion, documenting outcomes

Under the direction and supervision of an experienced Animal Care Specialist or Animal Care Supervisor, assist with the execution of animal capture and restraint for veterinary procedures, shipments, transfers, or other complex procedures

Develop and document a variety of non-animal specific skills including but not limited to: vehicle training, hay identification, chemical application, plant identification, water quality testing, computer skills, etc.

What you will bring:

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Zoology (or equivalent) or compensating experience

Minimum 1 year experience in animal care – related zoo experience is considered an asset

Expert knowledge in the care of zoological and wildlife species

Working knowledge of zoo terminology, awareness of animal welfare and conservation;

ZIMS knowledge would be an asset

Valid Class 5 Alberta Driver's License is required

Adaptability to frequently changing priorities and deadlines

Prepared to follow instruction with a can-do attitude

Safety conscious

Ability to exhibit discretion working around confidential/sensitive situations

Ability to work inside and outside in various temperature conditions

Ability to work independently and in a team environment

Ability to work in a physically demanding environment

Working Conditions:

Shift work which may be scheduled between 6:00am and 8:00pm, 7 days per week

Schedule may change at limited notice based on operational need

Call-ins are possible at any hours for emergency needs

Walking, sitting, crouching, standing, climbing, reaching are required

Pushing/pulling 45kg

Lifting up to 35kg

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is a no smoking environment including vaping. What We Offer:

Competitive compensation, vacation, and flex days entitlement

Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account

Employer matching RRSP program

Monthly Cell phone allowance (Bring your own device program)

Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise

Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit program

A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of animals from around the world

Are you ready to join one of Canada's leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you