Zoo Jobs: Senior Penguin Trainer

Senior Penguin Trainer

Ski Egypt is currently looking for a new Senior Penguin Trainer to join the team for their exciting, interesting and highly successful project in Giza, Egypt!

Firstly, 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. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in animal training and husbandry, alongside a serious and genuine interest in promoting an educational conservation message to our multinational guests.

The Senior Trainer 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. The Senior trainer will also be responsible for assisting the Head Trainer and Curator with training new local staff members.

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

Key Tasks:

· Monitor and perform daily feeding and training of King, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins

· Ensure responsible health protocol and daily maintenance of penguins

· Proficient in identification of animal health and behavioral problems/concerns with solutions to alleviate such concerns

· Assist in any veterinary procedures

· Keep records up to date each day

· Participate in penguin encounters, monitoring birds and guests during public demonstrations

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

· Manage the LSS and perform daily water quality checks

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

Essential qualifications/experience:

· Bachelor’s degree in Biology or Zoology or Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals or related field or equivalent experience

· Significant animal training and husbandry experience

· English speaking, reading and writing

Desirable qualifications/experience

· Qualified Scuba Diver

· Computer literate in Microsoft Office applications

Key Competencies:

· Ability to work well with staff and supervisors

· Able to work alone and to work with others

· Ability to perform well under duress typical of positions dealing with living organisms

Typical Physical Demands:

· Be able to lift 25kg to shoulder height

· Carry materials, transport boxes, buckets, etc. throughout the facility

· Able to work on rotation

· Standing, walking for long periods in an extremely cold, freezing environment

If you are interested in applying for this position please send a letter of interest, resume and recent photo of yourself to Danielle Farah, Ski Egypt Penguin Curator, at Danielle.Farah@maf.co.ae.

Closing date for applications is the 11^th December 2021. Interviews are expected to take place the week following the closing date. Please note that only successful applicants will be contacted for interview.

For any inquiries about the position, please email Danielle at the above email address.