Zoo Jobs: Penguin Trainer

Penguin Trainer

We are looking for someone to step into the role of Penguin Trainer, at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.

You would be an integral member of our small, multinational team, living and working in Dubai.

Daily duties would include the usual husbandry basics such as cleaning, diet preparation, exhibit maintenance, assisting the vet during any necessary procedures, record keeping, etc. But the majority of your day would be spent training and providing enrichment for our colony of 16 adorable gentoo penguins.

You will lead your penguin buddies in daily guest encounters, ensuring safety and wellbeing is at the highest standard at all times. Training duties would include maintaining existing behaviours and also training new ones.

The sky is the limit with our training, and we encourage creativity.

A proven history using operant conditioning to achieve specific targets is necessary for this role. However we realise penguins are extremely niche, so training experience in any other species is perfectly fine.

Excellent communication skills are vital, along with being a solid team player. Being a confident public speaker is also necessary, as you will engage with and inspire our visitors on a daily basis.

We are generally very flexible and fair in our work schedule, as we rotate weekends evenly amongst all of us. However, do expect to work public holidays and note that we work varying shift timings to accommodate being on site with our animals as much as possible.

If this sounds like you, please let me know below and I'll send you my email so I can get your CV into the right hands.

If anyone would like to PM me for more info etc, that is also welcome.

Interested? In the first instance Private Message Heleen Wilkes on Facebook

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