Zoological Specialist, Associate (Animal Ambassadors)
About this role
At Discovery Cove Orlando, we're passionate about caring for animals. In fact, we've already rescued over 40,000 animals (and counting!). And we can save you from being stuck in just another job. Join us and help bring joy, excitement, and lasting memories to people from around the world. We're seeking enthusiastic, dedicated, and hard-working individuals to become our Ambassadors. Join us and play an important part on our incredible team!
We have Animal Trainer positions in a variety of levels. All of them offer you the chance to provide care and compassionate training to a variety of magnificent animals. You will perform daily husbandry tasks, including administering vitamins and medications as directed, preparing food, and maintaining a safe and sanitary working area for all animal habitats.
- Support animal ambassadors
- Observe animals and report any abnormalities to supervisor and team
- Maintain all animal records and equipment
- Ensure working environment follows established guidelines and safety procedures
- Consistently display consideration, tolerance, cooperation, open communication, and reliability
- Support education and general public guest presentations in order to develop speaking skills and stage presence
- Proactively engage with guests and respond to guest inquiries
- Help prepare educational aspects of guest presentations
- Serve as secondary animal person and safety spotter when needed
- Act as primary trainer when approved and as directed by leadership
- Work with animals on basic behavior and behavioral modification techniques under supervision
- Represent company in public relations or media situations/events
- Perform primary roles as assigned by area leadership
- Engage in and execute all aspects of guest interaction programs
- Work with animals using behavioral modification techniques as instructed
- Train behavior to completion under minimal supervision
As a 365 day/year operation, candidates are expected to provide flexible availability to support year-round operating needs. This may include, but is not limited to, working opening, mid-day and closing shifts during peak and non-peak seasons, as well as weekends and holidays.
What else is important:
- Experience working with small mammals
- Able to lift, push, pull and/or carry up to 50 lbs.
- Position engages in extensive walking and standing throughout entire work shift and climb/ascend heights, if needed
- Perform the following physical activities: kneeling, squatting, bend floor-to waist/waist-to-overhead, reach overhead, simple grasp and fine hand manipulation tasks (use of tools/keyboard/writing)
- Able to work indoors and outdoors, in varying weather, to include extreme heat. Position may be exposed to fumes, dust, odors and cold/heat temperature extremes
- Perform cleaning duties; including use of cleaning chemicals
- Flexible in work locations as placement will depend on business needs and career development opportunities
Position level and Compensation rate will be contingent on professional zoological animal care experience at an AZA or equivalent facility. Level is determined through review and assessment of applicable experience by Zoo leadership. Experience required for each level is detailed below:
- Associate: Entry level position
- Specialist: Minimum of 12 months (2,080 hours) professional zoological experience
- Senior: Minimum of 2.5 years (5,200 hours) professional zoological experience
- Senior 1: Minimum of 5 years (10,400 hours) professional zoological experience
The perks of the position: Ambassadors will enjoy a fun, fast-paced environment, and great teammates, as well as:
- FREE park admission
- Discounts on park admission tickets and passes for family and friends
- Park discounts on food, merchandise, etc.
- Scholarship opportunities
- Exclusive employee events and giveaways
EEO Employer:
SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, PREGNANCY, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, DISABILITY OR COVERED VETERAN STATUS.
Company at a glance
United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company with a world-class portfolio of seven brands across 13 parks in the United States and Abu Dhabi. The Company’s award-winning portfolio of iconic brands includes SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, Water Country USA, Adventure Island, and Aquatica.
Our portfolio offers experiences for guests of all ages to enjoy exhilarating thrill and family-friendly rides and coasters, inspiring up-close encounters and educational presentations with wildlife, and exciting shows, concerts, and live performances.
We are committed to wildlife conservation globally, and all three SeaWorld parks, plus Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, are accredited members of the AZA, one of the world’s foremost professional zoological organizations. Our parks serve as one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, actively participate in endangered species survival programs, and make significant contributions to science through field research and the study of animals in our care.
Website: www.UnitedParks.com
Top Benefits
- Free park admission
- Discounts on park admission tickets
- Discounts on food
- Discounts on merchandise
- Scholarship opportunities
- Exclusive employee events
- Giveaways
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