Zoo Jobs: Penguin Trainer

Penguin Trainer
DUE TO HUGE INTEREST THIS IS NOW CLOSED

Ski Dubai will shortly be looking for a new Penguin Trainer for their exciting, interesting and highly successful project in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

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. It is essential though that applicants have considerable animal husbandry and training experience with a serious and genuine interest in promoting an educational conservation message to our multinational guests.

The trainers will participate in the husbandry and training of the penguin collection, including the maintenance and cleaning of the penguin facility, 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.

Key Tasks:

• Monitor and perform daily feeding and training of King and Gentoo penguins

• Monitor penguins and public during public demonstrations

• Clean exhibit on a daily basis, including touch-up after presentations

• Manage the LSS and perform daily water quality checks

• Observe penguins for signs of stress or illness

• Keep records up to date each day

• Computer literate in Excel, Word, Powerpoint

• Public speaking for a variety of penguin presentations and guest orientation

• Willing to work weekends, public holidays and overtime when required

• 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 years of training experience, ideally with marine mammals and/or birds. Alternative expertise in animal husbandry given serious consideration (incubation, hand rearing).

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

• 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 freezing environment

About Dubai

Dubai is a great place to work. There are 400 different nationalities living and working here. We get around 10 million tourists a year. It is a safe and friendly place to live. Although a Muslim country everyone is free to practice their own religion, women can drive and pretty nearly everything you can get in the US or Europe is available here...and then some. The climate is very hot for six months of the year and beautiful for the other six months. We have the best restaurants and the best chefs in the world. The best bands are regular visitors and the range of entertainment available is immense.

Previous applicants may re-apply.

To apply: Please send letter of interest and your CV to Head Trainer, Sarah Pillay at

Sarah.pillay@maf.co.ae