Animal Well-Being & Enrichment Coordinator

GENERAL PURPOSE
The Animal Well-Being & Enrichment Coordinator at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo plays a vital role providing support and guidance to the program by working alongside animal care teams and leadership to assist with welfare assessments and enrichment and maintaining a proactive approach to further program developments. In addition, this role provides animal care support in the animal outreach department and assists with the daily care, feeding, and enrichment of animals in the assigned section. This position will regularly interact with zoo guests and media to answer questions and provide animal and programming information.

Full-Time employees receive our comprehensive compensation package which includes 100% employer paid Medical/Dental/Vision, Employee Assistance Program, 401k, 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick and Paid Vacation time on an accrued basis. The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $27.00 per hour. Offers will be based on the successful candidate's experience.

ESSENTIAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Implements enrichment program working alongside various animal care teams to help develop enrichment program goals, schedules, ensure successful evaluation, and adjusts as necessary.
• Coordinates the animal well-being program under the direction of the animal well-being curator assisting with the implementation of welfare assessments and follow ups
• Organizes interns of various programs for welfare and well-being projects
• Facilitates TRACKs software and works with animal care teams to input new devices and goals as well as working with management where support is needed
• Under the guidance of the curator, assists in providing training of new animal care staff on the animal well-being program and processes
• Assists the curator with animal well-being and welfare studies and observations that align with the program and created goals
• Communicates findings from intern programs and other studies to the zoo
• Collaborate with other departments outside of animal care (education, events, marketing, etc.) to promote well-being initiatives and shared projects
• Organize enrichment workshops to enhance staff knowledge and collaboration amongst various animal care teams
• Co-chairs enrichment committee and animal management welfare committee
• Effectively communicates with management and staff at all levels in all departments.
• Coordinates with teams to ensure efficient and effective workflow, makes appropriate logistical decisions and plan for current and future needs, and assists with intradepartmental coordination.
• Remains flexible with teams adjusting the program to align with the goals of each department.

• Ensures the zoo’s mission and vision are regularly modeled. Assists management in developing and updating area policies in relation to animal welfare and well-being and enrichment.
• Assists the curator by effectively driving department goals as well as performing special assignments and projects as requested.
• Stay informed on new developments in animal well-being and welfare and enrichment practices to share with relevant departments
• Maintains accurate records for both the well-being and enrichment program as well as animal husbandry for the assigned section
• Provides animal care in the Animal Outreach department including preparing and administering diets, medications, cleaning of habitats, and daily enrichment as well as observing animals’ behavior.
• Assists the emergency response team in animal events.
• Ability to safely operate a vehicle for business purposes including but not limited to going to and from the zoo’s facilities and offsite.
• Performs special assignments and projects as requested and assists with other shifts as needed.

EDUCATION AND JOB QUALIFICATIONS
• An associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in Animal Science, Zoology, Psychology, or another applicable field is required. Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Combination of a minimum five (5) years related animal care and wellness/enrichment experience at an AZA accredited facility required
• Strong verbal and written English skills and the ability to communicate effectively with various departments in the zoo and with the public.
• California driver's license, valid vehicle insurance, enrolled in the CA Employer Pull Notice program and successful completion of the FCZ Drivers Training Program.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
These are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed. Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, the Zoo may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.
• Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading. Color perception is also required.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken information to others in individual and small group settings.
• Hand and finger dexterity is sufficient for typing and other administrative tasks.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
• The position functions primarily indoors, with occasional exposure to outdoor heat and cold.
• Ability to work evenings, weekdays, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.
• Occasional local travel may be required.