Zoo Jobs: Penguin Trainer

Penguin Trainer

Following on from our highly successful, exciting and interesting project in Ski Dubai we will shortly be looking for Penguin Trainers for a new venture in Cairo, Egypt.

We fully appreciate that there are not a lot of people out there with Penguin training experience so you will learn this aspect on the job. We are keen to consider those with considerable animal husbandry and training experience particularly with Penguins who have a serious and genuine interest in promoting an educational conservation message to a multinational public.

Competition has been tough for previous posts and we appreciate you may have gained a position elsewhere since we last advertised.

The trainers will participate in the husbandry and training of the penguin collection, including the maintenance of holding area, LSS, preparation of diets/penguin feeding and the set-up and maintenance of presentation areas.

You will work with and alongside a team of friendly, outgoing and dedicated international trainers. The penguins AND the trainers ARE the team.

Our aim is to create leaders.

Key Tasks:

Monitor and perform daily feeding and training of Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins
Monitor penguins and public during public demonstrations
Monitor and maintain LSS
Clean exhibit on a daily basis, including touch-up after presentations
Observe penguins for signs of stress or illness
Keep records current each day
Public speaking for a variety of penguin presentations and guest orientation
Performs other duties as required
Reliable

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Biology or Zoology or Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals or related field or equivalent experience
Preferably three year of training experience, ideally with marine mammals. Alternative expertise in animal husbandry given serious consideration (incubation, hand rearing, ZIMS).
Good spoken English

Key Competencies:

Previous experience in maintaining living specimens
Ability to work well with staff and supervisors
Ability to perform well under duress typical of positions dealing with living organisms
Caring
Able to work alone and to work with others
Typical Physical Demands:
Be able to lift 50 lbs. to shoulder height
Carry materials, transport boxes, buckets, etc. throughout the facility
Able to work on rota
Standing, walking for long periods in an extremely cold environment