Bird Trainer - Seasonal Position

Bird Trainer - Seasonal Position

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Visit this link to apply https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=omahazoo#

or http://www.omahazoo.com/ and click on Now Hiring

The emphasis of this position is primarily focused on assisting in the delivery of the free-flight bird shows: including the daily husbandry and behavioral management of all the animals (primarily birds) that encompass the IAP flight amphitheater area. In addition, the candidate will be expected to be proficient in operant conditioning, and capable of the presentation of a variety of animal species to the public for daily encounters, demonstrations, and shows. This position has a high level of public and animal interaction.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

•     Assist in Daily husbandry, training and enrichment of the amphitheater animal collection.
•     Assist in Presentation of animals to the public in formal and informal settings. This includes formal animal shows and less formal animal encounters.
•     Assist in maintenance of animal training techniques with animal collection to exhibit natural behaviors on cue, aide in medical procedures, and improve interaction with the public.
•     Assist zoo guests and facilitate their needs regardless of relationship to IAP area.
•     Assist with the maintenance of the area buildings and structures, including but not limited to cleaning, painting, light construction, etc…
•     Assist with the maintenance of the area grounds including but not limited to plant care, raking, weeding, trash collection, etc…

EXPERIENCE

    Exotic/zoo animal husbandry experience preferred.

    Operant conditioning experience required.

    Experience training & working with a variety of birds is preferred.

    Public speaking or theatrical experience preferred.

EDUCATION

    B.S in biology, animal science, behavior or related field is preferred.

A successful candidate is likely to possess the following abilities, skills and characteristics:

•     Able to work 40 hrs/week from May-October. With positive performance reviews, may continue seasonal position annually.
•     Effective and engaging public speaker.
•     Evident knowledge of basic training techniques, theory and application.
•     Excellent communication skills.
•     Creative and positive attitude.
•     Strong desire to engage the public and train animals.
•     Works well with all types of people.
•     Self-motivated.
•     Basic computer proficiency in Word, Excel and Power Point.
•     Ability to lift 50 Lb.
•     Able to stand for long periods and work in inclement weather conditions.
•     Have patience and sense of humor.
•     Ability to drive and operate motor vehicles and hold a valid State Driver’s License.
•     Current Tuberculosis Test is required.
•     Work has exposure to physical and zoonotic disease risk.

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

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Animal Behavior & Welfare Coordinator

Animal Behavior & Welfare Coordinator

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

SUMMARY : The emphasis of this position is assisting the Behavioral Husbandry & Welfare Manager with developing progressive holistic daily animal behavioral husbandry practices, including welfare assessment, environmental enrichment and training of all collection animals at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. In addition, the candidate will be primarily responsible for assisting in developing and maintaining standardized training and enrichment programs with an emphasis on improving the health and well being of all collection animals, including appropriate record keeping, fulfilling AZA and USDA standards. 

The candidate will work directly with Animal Care, Animal Health, Nutrition, Horticulture and Education departments, in assessing, developing, implementing, and evaluating training and enrichment practices that enhance the daily animal husbandry of all collection animals, including on and off-site animals used for education purposes.  The candidate will also assist in developing and implementing animal welfare assessment tools, to aid animal care staff in optimizing their care of the collection.

In addition, the candidate will enhance and promote the science of behavioral husbandry through research and educational opportunities.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide a holistic outlook on behavioral husbandry and animal welfare to help develop and implement appropriate goals and plans. This includes aiding in development of welfare assessment tools and working with animal care staff to create progressive goals and practices.
• Comprehends basic and advanced training terminology, reinforcement scenarios, and techniques. Can teach this information to staff effectively and ensure appropriate messaging during public presentations and events.
• Act as a second keeper in areas for feeding, shifting, or training with supervisor approval.
• Familiar with maintenance behaviors in animal areas and able to assist in training sessions as requested.
• Communicates daily with animal care staff regarding any behavioral husbandry or welfare concerns. Relay concerns to the Behavioral Husbandry & Welfare manager.
• Develop appropriate behavior-based training and enrichment goals and plans with animal care departments. Assist in creating calendars and records.
• Collect behavioral data to identify behavioral concerns and welfare issues. Apply data to development of goals addressing these issues.
• Assist animal care staff in acquiring, designing, and creating training and enrichment devices; assess existing exhibits/enclosures to improve individual animal well-being.
• Participate in training/enrichment demonstrations, interviews, social media requests, and education programs.
• Train complex behaviors (i.e.- side presentation/injection, ultrasound) as requested, and aid in teaching staff advanced techniques.
• Ensures animal department training and enrichment logs, calendars and requests are up to date. Follow up on welfare assessments with metrics and potential goals/plans.
• Assist Pest Management in ensuring humane treatment of designated pest species.
• Familiar with current industry resources and media regarding animal welfare practices, training methods, and progressive enrichment techniques.
• Communicate any changes in medical behaviors to Animal Training Coordinator. Regularly update Medical Behavior Log and Area Training Lists.
• Regular updates on programs to Behavioral Husbandry & Welfare Manager.
• Coordinate monthly behavioral husbandry meetings with area representatives.
• Attend daily animal care staff meeting, report progress.
• Supervise and direct department interns and volunteers.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience training animals in a variety of situations.
• Minimum of 5 years’ AZA accredited zoo experience.
• Experience or education in program development preferred.
• Experience or familiarity with current industry behavioral husbandry practices and welfare assessment preferred.

EDUCATION

• B.S in biology, psychobiology, psychology, animal science, or related biological field.
• A Successful candidate is likely to possess the following skills and characteristics:
• Work well and get along with people.
• Evident knowledge of effective training techniques, applications, and tools.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Effective and engaging public speaker.
• Creative and positive attitude. Have patience and sense of humor.
• Self motivated with ability to effectively manage time and resources.
• Strong desire to engage and train people in addition to animals.
• Physically able to assist Animal Care staff as requested.
• Able to stand for long periods and work in inclement weather conditions.
• Computer skills necessary including applications in EXCEL, WORD, and POWERPOINT.
• Ability to drive and operate motor vehicles and hold a valid State Driver’s License.
• Current Tuberculosis Test is required before being hired.

Please apply at www.omahazoo.com .

Experience Required

Minimum of 5 years' AZA accredited zoo experience

How to Apply

Please visit our website at www.omahazoo.com

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

3701 S. 10th Street

Omaha, NE 68107

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

Advertising Vacancies on Zoo News Digest

Nutrition Research Intern – Carnivore Emphasis

Nutrition Research Intern – Carnivore Emphasis

SUMMARY
The emphasis of this position will primarily focus on laboratory analytical procedures in an exotic animal nutrition laboratory, including sample and data collection and laboratory analyses. In addition, the candidate will be participating in an investigation regarding the impact of diet and (or) dietary ingredients on carnivore health and well-being.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
The candidate will work directly under the supervision of the Director of Comparative Nutrition and the Nutrition Manager at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. The candidate will be responsible for learning and conducting all laboratory analyses associated with exotic carnivore nutrition research and diet management. The candidate will be responsible for assisting with sample collection during nutrition research projects.

EXPERIENCE
Nutrition laboratory or chemistry experience preferred.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS
Undergraduate work toward a B.S in nutrition, biochemistry, animal science, or related biological field.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Candidate must be independently motivated and possess a familiarity with nutrition research techniques. The candidate must have a flexible schedule and willing to work weekends or holidays if necessary, although a standard Monday through Friday schedule will be typical. Candidate should have an understanding of basic chemistry and scientific method, and exceptional attention to detail. Good communication skills are required, both oral and written. Candidate must be able to work in a team environment, and willing to work alone in a laboratory setting. Basic computer skills are required including applications in EXCEL, WORD, and POWERPOINT.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Some undergraduate coursework.
Valid and current driver’s license.

HOURS
This is a full-time position (30 – 40 hours per week) for 6 months, with potential for a 6 month extension.

Please apply online at http://www.omahazoo.com/ (under Careers/Volunteers)

***

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BEHAVIORAL HUSBANDRY MANAGER

BEHAVIORAL HUSBANDRY MANAGER

JOB DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT = Center for Conservation and Research


SUPERVISION = Reports to the Director of Comparative Nutrition

SUMMARY = The emphasis of this position is assisting with all aspects of daily animal behavioral husbandry including environmental enrichment and training of all collection animals at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. In addition, the candidate will be primarily responsible for developing and implementing a standardized training and enrichment program with an emphasis on improving the health and well being of all collection animals, including appropriate record keeping, fulfilling AZA standards.

The candidate will work directly with Animal, Curatorial, Animal Health, Nutrition and Education departments, in assessing, developing, implementing, and evaluating training and enrichment practices that enhance the daily animal husbandry of all collection animals, including on and off-site animals used for education purposes.

In addition, the candidate will enhance and promote the science of behavioral husbandry through research and educational opportunities.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Continue and enhance staff training on current topics and advances in animal training and environmental enrichment.

• Develop and implement a standardized training and enrichment program throughout the zoo and Wildlife Safari Park to include approval processes, record keeping and evaluation systems.

• Work with animal staff to assess departmental needs and current efforts to develop objective goals for new enrichment and training plans.

• Work with animal staff to evaluate current training and enrichment plans to promote further advancements.

• Assist in identification of animal behavioral problems/concerns and implement plans to alleviate such concerns.

• Work and communicate with Animal Health staff when training efforts involve medical procedural training.

• Advise and guide education staff on promoting and developing educational and engaging opportunities for zoo guests on animal welfare issues at the zoo, community, regional, and global levels.

• Advise and guide Education Department and Animal Ambassador Coordinator on developing engaging messaging for Animal Ambassadors.

• Assist with development and implementation of an educational Animal Show.

• Collaborate with necessary departments to conduct appropriate research in order to enhance behavioral husbandry techniques and procedures.

• Assist with participation efforts in collaborative research projects by providing education, support and materials to keeper staff as needed.


• Assist Horticulture, Animal Health, and Nutrition departments in developing a self-sustaining browse inventory and usage program.

• Work with the Nutrition department in developing appropriate dietary enrichment protocols including the use of whole prey.

• Understand and adhere to guidelines and recommendations established by AZA, USDA, and OSHA.

• Attend daily animal management meetings.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 3 years experience training animals in a variety of situations.

• Minimum of 3 years zoo experience.

• Experience or education in program development preferred.

• Experience teaching training classes preferred.

EDUCATION

• B.S in biology, psychobiology, psychology, nutrition, animal science, or related biological field (B.S. minimum).

A Successful candidate is likely to possess the following skills and characteristics:

• Work well and get along with people.

• Evident knowledge of effective training techniques, applications, and tools.

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

• Effective and engaging public speaker.

• Creative and positive attitude.

• Self motivated with ability to effectively manage time and resources.

• Strong desire to engage and train people in addition to animals.

• Ability to lift 50 Lb.

• Able to stand for long periods and work in inclement weather conditions.

• Computer skills necessary including applications in EXCEL, WORD, and POWERPOINT.

• Have patience and sense of humor.

• Ability to drive and operate motor vehicles and hold a valid State Driver’s License.

• Current Tuberculosis Test is required before being hired.

Please apply at http://www.omahazoo.com/


Questions can be directed to Dr. Cheryl L. Morris (402) 738-6906, cherylm@omahazoo.com

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