Bear Team Manager

THIS POST IS NOW FILLED

Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre – CHINA

Our family in China has the need for another Bear Team Manager to join us as we continue our mission of providing world-class care to 145 bears. This is an exciting opportunity for the right person who will work alongside our one other Bear Team Manager and Senior Bear Team Manager. A highly motivated, experienced, and dedicated animal professional is required to work with rescued Asiatic black bears, Tibetan brown bears and a Tibetan macaque at our Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre in Sichuan Province, China.

The position holder will work as part of our Bear & Vet Team and will be responsible for overseeing teams of local bear care staff involved in the daily husbandry and management of the bears within the rescue centre. The position involves working closely with Bear Team Supervisors (via our Translator team) and liaising with the resident veterinary team to manage various daily operations. The Bear Team Manager will report directly to the Senior Bear Team Manager.

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in travel bans and restrictions into China and therefore it is unclear when the selected candidate can safely enter China. Any candidates would need to have a flexible starting date.

Due to Chinese visa requirements, a university degree in a relevant field and proven practical experience of 3 to 5 years are essential for this position.

Responsibilities

§ Co-coordinating various daily operations:

o Animal care and management;

o Maintenance and adjustment of existing enrichment programmes;

o Ordering animal food and other stock as required;

o Supervising volunteers;

o Maintaining bear behavior records & databases.

§ Preparing short reports for social media, supporters, or other recipients as required.

§ Operant conditioning and formal bear training programmes (in collaboration with the Senior Bear Team Manager) for a variety of medical, behavioural and management requirements.

§ Human resources:

o Staff evaluations;

o Ensuring morale is maintained within bear care staff;

o Identifying and addressing HR issues with the Bear & Vet Team Director.

Requirements

§ University degree in zoology, biology, conservation, animal behaviour or related field;

§ Three to five years work experience in a captive wild animal facility or similar working environment;

§ Computer literacy, including Excel;

§ Willingness to travel and work offsite or between sites as required;

§ Strong management skills and the ability to work within a team or independently ;

§ Fluent in English (verbal & written);

§ A good sense of humor, excellent communication skills, and the ability to live and work closely with the rest of the team comprising of both foreign and local staff;

§ Patience and willingness to work in a different country/culture.

Suitable candidates must be able to commit for a minimum of 2 years.

Appointment is paid, full-time, five days a week with (rotational) weekend/holiday work.

The following items are included in your full-time contract

On-site accommodation (individual room with communal living space and kitchen)

Relocation assistance

Emergency medical insurance

Paid holidays

How to apply

Interested parties please forward PDF versions of your cover letter (stating the applied position), CV and your completed JobApplication form to: hrhkg@animalsasia.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified for interviews.

For more information please visit our website www.animalsasia.org

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Personal data collected will be treated in strict confidence and used solely for recruitment purposes.

Closing date: open-ended