Elephant Care & Conservation Specialist

White Oak Conservation; Yulee (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

White Oak Conservation seeks an Elephant Specialist to deliver safe, compassionate care and support for its elephant conservation programs. The role contributes to the mission through husbandry, research, and education efforts.

The position involves daily animal care, training in operant conditioning, and collaboration with the health and conservation teams to ensure high standards of welfare and safety across all elephant-related activities.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum two years’ husbandry experience with large ungulates; elephant experience preferred.
• Experience operating small equipment and farm machinery desired.

Responsibilities

• Participates in daily care of animals in designated area, including feeding, cleaning, medicating, training, enrichment, and record keeping.
• Engages in hand rearing, animal transfers, introductions, operant conditioning, and area research projects.
• Trains new behaviors with elephants in protected contact system.
• Participates in advanced elephant husbandry practices such as footcare, blood and semen collections.
• Maintains records and reports related to the elephant collection and facility upkeep.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Adaptability

Operant conditioning

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Time management

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor’s degree in animal science, wildlife management, biology, or related field

Job description

White Oak Conservation seeks an Elephant Specialist to deliver safe, compassionate care and support for its elephant conservation programs. The role contributes to the mission through husbandry, research, and education efforts.

The position involves daily animal care, training in operant conditioning, and collaboration with the health and conservation teams to ensure high standards of welfare and safety across all elephant-related activities.