Senior Trainer
Job Title: Senior
Trainer
Status: Full Time,
Hourly (40 hours)
Number of Positions:
1
Classification:
Non-Exempt
Reports to: Curator
of Animal Care
Posting Deadline:
February 17, 2017
Description
Reporting to the
Curator of Animal Care, this position shall provide a supportive role in the
operation and function of the Marine Mammal
Care Department. This senior-level position is responsible for taking an
essential role in the daily care and
behavioral conditioning of the marine mammal collection. The Senior Trainer’s
primary objective
and responsibility
is to function in primary and supportive roles in public shows, presentations,
and feedings, and to actively shape
and condition advanced show and husbandry behaviors.
Other responsibilities
include but are not limited to: diet
preparation, facility/habitat maintenance, accurate record keeping, and animal
observations.
Essential
Responsibilities
· Primary role in
the daily care and behavioral conditioning of the marine mammal collection
· Able to identify
all animals in the marine mammal collection, and observe any possible
abnormalities
· Play a key role in
maintaining the highest standards in the areas of: husbandry/cleanliness, diet
preparation, record keeping,
animal observations and facility maintenance
· Communicate with
Curator of Animal Care, Supervisor of Marine Mammals and attending Veterinarian
to discuss possible
health concerns and treatment options
· Provide direct
support and serve as leading figure during medical/husbandry procedures and
animal transports
· Be aware of safety
procedures for animal handling and restraint techniques to ensure the
well-being of the marine mammal
collection
· Possess a strong
knowledge of marine mammal history, individual animal histories and husbandry
· Maintains
established criteria for all existing behaviors with the entire marine mammal
collection
· Maintain the
progression of animal training goals and standards through effective
application shaping and desensitization
techniques
· Be able to address
basic and advanced areas of animal training and management
· Train and execute
advanced high energy and husbandry behaviors as requested by the management
team of Marine Mammals in
an efficient and timely manner
· Execute high
energy waterwork behaviors during shows and presentations, and maintain all
safety procedure/protocol
regarding waterwork at the Aquarium of Niagara
· Maintains a high
level of showmanship while performing primary and supportive roles in daily
shows and presentations
· Develop innovative
show concepts, ideas and visions to provide high quality and creative shows/presentations
through effective animal management
· Recognize signs of
aggression and be aware of safety protocol for each respective species of the
marine mammal collection
· Provide safe and
creative environmental enrichment devices to the marine mammal collection
· Act as a mentor
and role model for the development and advancement for the Training Assistants,
Assistant Trainers and
Trainers
· Uphold USDA
standards in all areas of operation including animal commissary, animal areas,
laboratory, freezers/coolers and
medical facilities
· Perform basic
water quality and life support procedures on marine mammal pools
· Interact with
press and media sources for news features and highlights as requested
Requested
Requirements
· Must be at least
eighteen (18) years of age
· Must be SCUBA
certified through an accredited diving agency
· College degree in
biology, psychology or related science
· Minimum of 4 years
of paid experience working with marine mammals and behavioral conditioning experience
· Must be able to
demonstrate a proficiency in public speaking and guest interaction
· Must be able to
work on a team, as well as function individually with little supervision when
necessary
· Must be able to
lift and carry fifty (50) pounds, work on un-even and slippery surfaces,
withstand temperatures of hot
and cold, and sit/stand for long periods of time when necessary
· Must be able to
pass department swim test, including microphone test
To Apply
Please send resume
and cover letter to rswem@aquariumofniagara.org no later than February 17,
2017. Be sure to include Senior
Trainer in the subject line of any correspondences.
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
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