Large Hoofstock Positions

Date: January 1st, 2023

Department: Large Hoofstock

Animal Adventure Park is a ZAA accredited interactive educational facility, utilizing immersive, and hands-on exhibition, to engage guests in a manner to promote understanding and appreciation of the living world.

Through appreciation, we achieve education. Through education we achieve conservation.

Summary:

At this time Animal Adventure Park is seeking qualified candidates to join the animal care team. This position would include working with several species of large hoofstock within the main park, as well as our sister facility - The Preserve at Animal Adventure, a drive thru safari that opened the summer of 2022, which is home to several species of large hoofstock: including giraffe, white rhinoceros, as well as camelids and species of ratites. 

Under direct supervision, the individual in this position is responsible for a wide variety of tasks involving the husbandry of the area species, the daily upkeep of keeper and public areas, and interactions with park guests. The individual must be able to carry out the position's duties as described below, with or without reasonable accommodations, and comply with park policies and procedures as they appear in the Employee Handbook and animal care protocols.  The individual must also be of sufficient health to carry out these duties on a daily basis without presenting a danger to his/herself or fellow park employees.

Skills and duties: required of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Provide quality guest experience, and maintain professional working relations with park guests, fellow employees, volunteers, and interns.
  • Provide for the care and welfare (husbandry) of assigned animals in the department, such as following prescribed diets and feeding procedures and protocols.
  • Cleaning/disinfecting of animal enclosures, holding areas, keeper space, common use space, and the public area surrounding it within Park, USDA and ZAA guidelines.
    • Includes upkeep of plant collection as well as minor repairs to exhibits/holding areas.
  • Observe animals in the department daily for reproductive behavior, abnormal behavior, or potential health problems, reporting these to the supervisor(s).
  • Prepare, distribute, and keep records of animal enrichment
  • Train animals using positive reinforcement
  • Maintain daily reports: ie. medical, reproductive, dietary, and work orders.
  • Provide assistance to the veterinary staff when necessary
  • Make presentations, or host animal encounters for park guests
  • Observe and report all facility or safety problems to the supervisor.
  • Any other duties as requested by the curator or team lead to assist the team.

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent,college degree in a related field preferred.
  • Six months to one year of experience working with animals in some capacity. Examples include working with animals at veterinary clinics, pet stores, on farms, or as an intern or volunteer at a zoo.
  • Communicate effectively in English (oral and written), follow oral and written instructions, and use a two-way radio.
  • Candidate must possess a valid drivers license
    • Vehicle operation is required- use of safari trucks, ATVs, UTVS etc... will be necessary.
  • Physically able to work in extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions; walking, standing, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, performing tasks in an environment that requires repeatedly stooping, bending, and climbing.
  • Physically able and willing to safely work around large, unpredictable and dangerous animals, having sufficient strength, agility and coordination to net, capture and restrain these animals.
  • Use disinfectants, cleansers, and work around dusty enclosures/storage areas.
  • Use common hand, power, and yard tools while working from the ground or on a ladder in a safe manner.
  • Accept regular weekend, holiday, occasional after hour assignments, and be able to change days off as needed.
  • Negative Tuberculosis test results required per ZAA standards
  • Adhere to park/departmental policies and safety procedures

Experience:

  • An associates degree or higher is prefered in an animal related field, but is not required
  • Minimum 6 months prior experience within the animal related field is desired.
  • Prior experience with the above listed species is preferred.

Compensation:

NYS minimum is set at $14.20/hr, and acts as a base pay for entry level employees.

Each individual's beginning wage is based upon prior experience and education level. 

After 90 days of employment: Animal Adventure Park Animal Care full-time employees will be eligible to enter into the parks keeper progression program.
This in house, 4-tiered progression allows staff to determine their comfortability and skill level they wish to achieve- each level has a low and high end salary that can be earned by quality of service, skill level, and field knowledge possessed by the individual.

With personal progression shown, raises and bonuses are available to be earned.

After 45-days of employment, full time staff members may choose to take part in the park medical & dental benefit plan, with 50% cost covered by the organization.

After 1 year of service, full time staff members will be enrolled in the park's employer paid 401K plan. (100% of the annual contribution is covered by the organization)

Submit resumes to:

Curator of Parks: Erin Sarandis

Curator@theanimaladventurepark.com