Temporary Animal Care Technician

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a temporary, part-time Animal Care Technician to join our dedicated team of Animal Care professionals at the Off-Site Conservation Facilities. The Animal Care Technician is responsible for completing all aspects of daily animal care and maintenance for assigned animals. This role involves ensuring compliance with established standards and best practices within the designated zone.

The Animal Care Technician ensures compliance with established welfare standards and protocols while actively participating in processes and programs for continuous improvement. They support safe, effective, and efficient operations of animal care and conservation initiatives, focusing on monitoring animal welfare, maintaining exhibits, and fulfilling reporting requirements with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

The Animal Care Technician promotes the organization’s mission by engaging with internal and external customers through the delivery and support of talks, programs, and animal experiences, in addition to answering visitor inquiries. By providing mentorship as well as exemplifying professionalism and teamwork, the Animal Care Technician takes an active role in skill development for Animal Care Assistants and peers. This may include identifying training opportunities, demonstrating and explaining job skills, and providing constructive feedback to foster growth and development within the Animal Care team.

Overall, the Animal Care Technician contributes to continuous improvement initiatives and collaborating with colleagues to enhance animal welfare, operational effectiveness, and positive workplace culture.

Contract: December 2024 – June 2025

Location: Off-Site Conservation Locations

What you will do:

Husbandry:

• Provide and monitor prescribed diets for a variety of animals, reporting dietary concerns or changes to Supervisors, Specialists or Managers.
• Conduct regular assessments of animal weight, body condition, and overall health applying critical thinking to identify potential health issues early.
• Maintain organizational standards for habitats and back-of-house areas through routine cleaning, disinfection, while actively participating in the pest management program.
• Identifying and reporting any required facility and equipment maintenance.
• Assign tasks and mentor animal care assistants tasks associated with cleaning and maintenance of animal habitats.
• Administer prescribed treatments as needed, ensuring compliance with established protocols.
• Evaluate and recommend mitigation measures associated with risks in animal care procedures to ensure the health and safety of both animals and humans.
• Participate in animal capture and restraint procedures for veterinary procedures, shipments, and transfers under the guidance of experienced Animal Care Specialists, Supervisors, or Animal Care Technicians, ensuring all safety and welfare protocols are followed.
• Demonstrate and uphold established safe work practices consistently
  
  

Animal Welfare & Wellbeing:

• Observe and document the physical and psychological behavior of animals, identifying deviations from normal patterns and reporting changes to Specialists, Supervisors, or Managers in a timely manner.
• Design, implement, and track behavioral training and/ or enrichment programs to promote natural species-specific behaviors and achieve specific husbandry goals.
• Lead and participate in various internal processes, such as Behavioral Enrichment and Training Plans, from initiation to completion, documenting outcomes comprehensively.
• Uphold the highest standards of animal care, ensuring compliance with established protocols and actively contributing to risk assessments related to animal welfare under the guidance of Animal Care Specialists, Supervisors and Managers.
• Maintain accurate and detailed electronic records for Animal Health and Animal Care Teams about each animal.
• Use animal care records to inform and support decision making and enhance risk management practices.
• Identify and communicate maintenance needs for designated work areas, including, but not limited to, repairs or replacement of tools and equipment to Animal Care Specialists, Supervisors, or Managers.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues and train others on using equipment when necessary.
• Assist in educational and/or research programs as requested.
• Assign tasks and mentor animal care assistants tasks associated with animal welfare tasks as appropriate and as directed by Animal Care Specialists, Supervisors, and Managers.
  
  

Public Interaction, Engagement and Education:

• Deliver engaging programs and experiences that align with organizational messaging, ensuring timely and impactful execution.
• Lead "Wilder Moments" by facilitating staff-driven, flexible opportunities for spontaneous public engagement.
• Present to the public in after hour events offering specialized knowledge and fostering deeper connections to the zoo's mission.
• Provide current and accurate information about animals and husbandry practices to educate internal and external audiences
• Assist in preparation and presentation of training programs for zoo volunteers and new employees as requested.
• Conduct tours for peers, visitors, and volunteers as requested.
• Respond to public inquiries with professionalism, escalating complex issues as necessary
  
  

Related Responsibilities:

• Develop and document a diverse range of non-animal specific skills, including but not limited to vehicle operation, chemical application, plant identification, and water quality testing, to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.
  
  

What you will bring:

• At least 4 years’ experience in Animal Care, with a minimum 2 years animal care experience in an accredited zoo facility and an additional 2 years of experience in a zoo, wildlife or comparable facility.
• Bachelors in Zoology or related field, or a combination of education and experience is required
• Must hold a valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s license.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the care, behavior, and health of various zoological and wildlife species, with an emphasis on species-specific needs.
• Strong working knowledge of zoo terminology and protocols, animal welfare standards, and conservation practices.
• Familiarity with ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to adjust to frequently changing priorities and deadlines while maintaining high standards of care and attention to detail.
• Extensive experience working effectively in a team environment, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach, while employing effective time management and efficient strategies to achieve shared goals.
• Prepared to follow detailed instructions with a proactive, can-do attitude, contributing positively to team goals.
• Strong commitment to safety practices, ensuring a safe working environment for self and others.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Proven ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative and sound judgment in decision-making.
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Comfortable working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including extreme cold, humidity, and hot climates
• Capable of performing physically demanding tasks unassisted, including walking, standing, crouching, climbing, reaching, pushing/pulling up to 45 kg unassisted, and lifting to 35 kg unassisted.
• Shift work which may be scheduled between 6:00am and 8:00pm, 7 days per week. Schedule may change at limited notice based on operational need.
• Call-ins may occur at any hours for emergency needs.
  
  

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.

WHAT THE ZOO OFFERS:

• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
• Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
• A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals
  
  

Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.

Apply by doing the following:

• Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
• Submit your resume and a cover letter via our online application system.
  
  

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada

If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply by submitting your resume and cover letter to no later than November 29, 2024 at 4pm.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the Zoo’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.

All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.