CHELONIAN KEEPER AND VETERINARY ASSISTANT POSITION

Association Of Zoos & Aquariums; Ojai (CA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Chelonian Keeper and Veterinary Assistant to join their team in Ojai, CA. This full-time role involves providing daily care for turtles, assisting with medical treatments, and maintaining accurate records. You'll work closely with experienced staff in a supportive environment, ensuring the well-being of the animals while also engaging with visitors. If you are passionate about wildlife and eager to contribute to conservation efforts, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these remarkable creatures.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in a zoo or similar environment preferred.
• Strong organizational skills in animal records management.
• Experience handling chelonians and biometric data.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the care and feeding of turtles and other animals.
• Maintain cleanliness of exhibits and assist with medical care.
• Record daily activities and maintain animal records.

Skills

Animal behavior

Wildlife biology

Zoology

Public Speaking

Data management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology

Animal Science

Biology

Tools

Animal records software (ARKS, ISIS, ZIMS)

Job description

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, Certified Related Facilities, Commercial Members, Conservation Partners and Society Partners may post free unlimited online job listings as a member benefit. Non-members can purchase job listings. How to post a job

Interested in a career in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums? Learn more about types of zoo and aquarium jobs and relevant education programs in our career center .

Turtle Conservancy

Turtle Conservancy

CHELONIAN KEEPER AND VETERINARY ASSISTANT POSITION

This position will work along the Turtle Conservancy’s husbandry staff to provide day-to-day care for the turtles at our facility in Ojai, CA and assist with medical care of sick, injured, and confiscated animals. They will also work under the Registrar to help with the record keeping of the turtle collection, conduct tours to occasional visitors, and support veterinary clinic administration.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Chelonian Husbandry Keeper and Veterinary Assistant

Assist in feeding, watering, raising, and moving animals according to protocols or as directed.

Perform cleaning and sanitation of animal exhibits, enclosures, food preparation areas, and utensils according to protocols as scheduled and as directed.

Record daily activities in area logbooks, diet notebooks, daily reports, animal records, veterinary records, etc.

Perform routine maintenance of buildings, exhibits, grounds, and equipment.

Assist with cleaning and maintaining buildings and grounds according to protocols as scheduled or as directed by supervisors.

Assist in ensuring all work areas are safe, clean, and well-maintained every day.

Assist in construction, modification, and maintenance of displays, exhibits, and enclosures according to established protocols or as directed by supervisors.

Care for injured, sick, and confiscated animals.

Help identify health of individual animals and their medical progress and carry out treatments as prescribed by veterinarian on duty.

Support off-site medical care of animals - radiographs, surgeries, etc. Keep medical records of all animals on site.

Assist with inventory and ordering of medical supplies.

Assist with necropsies, sample collection, laboratory testing, and pathology, samples, including shipping to various laboratories.

Maintain and share records of animals with necessary partners.

Conduct occasional scheduled tours to visitors to the TC.

Maintain documents related to animal accessions, transitions, and transactions (e.g. loan agreements, contracts, permits,etc.)

Update animal records and photos as needed for identification purposes.

Provide institution data for studbook reports, questionnaires, surveys and Species Survival Plan (SSP) updates, or direct to appropriate staff members.

Develop and implement internal and external quality control measures to ensure the quality of institutional records data; serve as liaison to Species360 (ZIMS).

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Ability to sit, stand and walk for long periods of time.

Ability to lift and carry up to 50lbs.

Ability to pull and push up to 100lbs.

Full functional range of motion in all major body joints from reaching, twisting, bending, simple and power gripping, fine and gross motor skills.

Skills and Knowledge

Animal behavior / Wildlife biology and zoology / Care, feeding and handling of animals / Safety practices around wild animals / Techniques for restraining or capturing wild wildlife / Public Speaking / Deal tactfully and courteously with others / Adhere to the organization’s policies, procedures and regulations.

Education and Certifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology, Animal Science, Animal Management, Biology or other related fields preferred.

Preferred Qualifications (Not Required)

1-2 years of work experience in a Zoo or similar environment where appropriate knowledge and skills in wildlife care could be acquired.
Experience working in an AZA facility.

Strong organizational skills and knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of animal records management.

Experience handling chelonians and taking biometric data

Skills enabling consistent techniques of data input in a careful, complete, concise and accurate manner.

Ability to learn and apply knowledge of animal records software (ARKS, ISIS and ZIMS).

Ability to apply knowledge of animal science, exotic animal species, conservation issues, and safety precautions.

Ability to apply knowledge of the laws regulating animal acquisition, disposition, exhibition, husbandry standards, and transportation within the U.S. and abroad.

Position Type: Full Time.

Wage: starting $20/hour.

This is a full time position, 5 days per week, including some weekends and holidays.

Turtle Conservancy
1696 McNell Road
Ojai, CA 93023
Phone: [phone]
Fax: Turtle Conservancy