Lead Animal Trainer

Sight Sound; Ronks (PA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Sight & Sound in Pennsylvania is seeking a Lead Animal Trainer to supervise the Animal Department Training team and advance training for all productions. You will train a variety of animals in multiple behaviors and instruct team members in safe, effective handling techniques day to day.

The role requires strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills, with the ability to lead projects, conduct regular one-on-one coaching, and collaborate with Show Operations and Animal Show Design

Qualifications

• Strong communication, organizational and listening skills.
• Humility, self-awareness and teachable spirit.
• Ability to remain calm, professional and flexible under pressure.
• Ability to work independently or lead projects without supervision.
• Prior equine/animal knowledge and training experience strongly desired.

Responsibilities

• Actively promote and exemplify a culture that upholds our mission, values, and safety statements.
• Train a variety of animals in multiple behaviors as desired by the Story Team.
• Collaborate with the Show Operations Team to help maintain the technical and artistic vision of the show.
• Collaborate with Animal Show Design to understand and develop training needs for upcoming shows.
• Ensure department members are trained to interact with animals based on current practices to maintain consistency.
• Conduct regular 1 on 1 meetings with the team in order to provide support, positive influence, and accountability as well as attend any required leadership meetings as directed.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Listening skills

Humility

Self-awareness

Teachable spirit

Calm under pressure

Independent work

Leadership

Animal handling knowledge

Job description

Sight & Sound is an organization comprised of people with diverse talents coming together as one in Christto tell His story through who we are and what we do. We foster a culture of love for God and love for others, trust and teamwork, and a collaborative environment in which we get to do our best work every day.

The Lead Animal Trainer assists the Animal Department Supervisor in providing

Daily team leadership and technical support to the Training team which includes the training of animal behaviors for all Sight & Sound productions and instructing team members with safe and effective animal handling techniques.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Actively promote and exemplify a culture that upholds our mission, values, and safety statements.
• Train a variety of animals in multiple behaviors as desired by the Story Team.
• Collaborate with the Show Operations Team to help maintain the technical and artistic vision of the show.
• Collaborate with Animal Show Design to understand and develop training needs for upcoming shows.
• Ensure department members are trained to interact with animals based on current practices to maintain consistency.
• Conduct regular 1 on 1 meetings with the team in order to provide support, positive influence, and accountability as well as attend any required leadership meetings as directed.

Prerequisites

• Desire and ability to develop, train and serve people in a team atmosphere with a high level of concern for both their professional and personal welfare
• Excellent communication, organizational and listening skills
• Humility, self-awareness, a teachable spirit
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and flexible under pressure
• Ability to work independently and/or lead a project/task without direct supervision
• Prior equine/animal knowledge and training experience strongly desired

The physical demands of this position are active in nature. You will be expected to be on your feet frequently, walk and stand regularly, consistently communicate with team members using a headset/radio, work outdoors. You will be expected to frequently lift/exert up to 50 lbs. of force, often handling large animals to move on command. The full physical requirements of this job are available upon request.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.