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County of Orange

Linette- Elephant Wildlife Care Specialist (Park Animal Keeper)

SALARY

$24.29 - $28.27 Hourly

$1,943.20 - $2,261.60 Biweekly

$4,210.27 - $4,900.13 Monthly

$50,523.20 - $58,801.60 Annually

LOCATION

Any place in the world, CA

JOB TYPE

Full-Time Regular

JOB NUMBER

3027OS-0223-012 (O)

DEPARTMENT

Human Resource Services

OPENING DATE

02/08/2023

CLOSING DATE

Continuous

SALARY

$24.29 - $28.27 Hourly

$1,943.20 - $2,261.60 Biweekly

$4,210.27 - $4,900.13 Monthly

$50,523.20 - $58,801.60 Annually

LOCATION

Any place in the world, CA

JOB TYPE

Full-Time Regular

JOB NUMBER

3027OS-0223-012 (O)

DEPARTMENT

Human Resource Services

OPENING DATE

02/08/2023

CLOSING DATE

Continuous

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CAREER DESCRIPTION

Elephant Wildlife Care Specialist - San Diego Zoo Safari Park - Escondido, CA
(3027OS - Parks Animal Keeper)   

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment is open to the public and will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days and remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59PM (PST) on the day the County's needs are met. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. 

San Diego Zoo 
The County of Orange, San Diego Zoo Safari Park is located within the OC Community Resources (OCCR) OC Parks (San Diego Division). San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives. 

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Wildlife Care Specialist will support San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s mission of saving species worldwide by overseeing all aspects of the safe care and handling of an assigned wildlife collection. This position reports to the Lead or Supervisor. 

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Prepares food and water for habitat wildlife 
  • Loads and unloads food from trucks 
  • Feeds exhibit wildlife 
  • Administers prescribed medication and keeps feeding records
  • Observes assigned wildlife 
  • Reports abnormal conditions to superiors 
  • Cleans exhibit areas, pools, wildlife sleeping areas and service areas 
  • Cleans and disinfects utensils, work tools and containers 
  • Provides species-appropriate enrichment to assigned wildlife 
  • Maintains appropriate health and behavior records on assigned wildlife 
  • Responds to questions from the public concerning exhibits 
  • Provides exhibit security 
  • Participates in capturing, incapacitating and moving wildlife 
  • Participates in and supports wildlife training programs 
  • Assists medical staff in treating wildlife 
  • Performs minor or routine maintenance on exhibit enclosures 
  • Reports maintenance needs 
  • Operates a variety of light and medium equipment

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess at least 1-2 years of experience in a zoo or similar, providing animal enrichment, record keeping and maintaining best practices concerning animal husbandry in a zoological setting. Experience with elephants, and other wildlife is highly desirable for this current vacancy. A Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Life Science, Natural Sciences, or a related field.
Minimum of 1 full year of experience in public speaking.
In addition to this knowledge and experience, the ideal candidate will also be in possession of the desired core competencies listed below. 

Skills and Knowledge of:
  • Wildlife behavior 
  • Wildlife biology and zoology 
  • Care, feeding and handling of wild wildlife 
  • Safety practices around wild wildlife 
  • Techniques for restraining or capturing wild wildlife 
  • Public Speaking 
  • Deal tactfully and courteously with others 
  • Adhere to the organization’s policies, procedures and regulations 
  • Competently perform the essential functions outlined above
Core Competencies of the job:
  • Decision Making
  • Professional & Technical Expertise
  • Handling Stress
  • Presentation Skills
  • Customer Focus

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here for information regarding the complete classification description, including the minimum qualifications for Parks Animal Keeper. 

PHYSICAL & MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Strength to pull, drag, lift and carry up to 50 pounds for 50 feet.  Strength to handle, restrain and maneuver large animals, including livestock, from one area to another or into a trailer for transport.  Strength to capture, secure, handle and restrain a variety of animals, which may be physically uncooperative and aggressive.  Agility to walk, run, physically maneuver oneself to capture and avoid injury by various animals.  Ability to stand for extended periods.  Body mobility to walk and run on uneven ground, climb stairs, bend, twist, reach kneel, squat and crawl to catch animals.  Manual dexterity to hand write paperwork and use a computer.  Vision sufficient to read standard text and fine print, a computer screen, see animals at a distance, determine depth and to distinguish colors and body language.  Hear well enough to hear the approach of an animal or sounds emitted by animals.  

Mental stamina for problem solving and dealing with stressful situations.  Mental fortitude to focus and perform job duties in the presence of stressors such as upset citizens, aggressive animals, injured animals or deceased animals. 

ENVIROMENTAL & WORKING CONDITIONS
Will be required to work with an around animals in all aspect of their husbandry care.  Animals may be large, small, aggressive, friendly, dangerous and/or venomous.  Will be required to work in a standard office environment around office equipment.  Will be required to work outside in all weather conditions.  Will be require to work in dusty, loud, and/or malodorous environments.  May be exposed to various zoonotic diseases, noxious odors, animal blood, animal dander, blood borne pathogens, feces and urine, fleas, ticks, mites, as well as, injured, sick, dead and/or diseased animals.  Will be required to work around commonly used animal chemicals such as flea medications and/or various types of soaps, cleansers and disinfectant agents.  Will be required to interact with various members of the public.  

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications.  After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process.  All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the recruitment process. 
 
Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
 
Recorded Structured Oral Interview | rSOI Weighted 100%
The rSOI is a timed oral interview conducted virtually through an online vendor.  Applicants will be asked a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job.  All applicant responses will be video recorded so that they can be evaluated against pre-determined criteria by a panel of job knowledge experts. Only the most qualified applicants will move forward to the next step in the recruitment process OR will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference 
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID 19 related requirements.
 

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and laws, regulations, and policies regarding COVID-19 are subject to change. The County of Orange is required to comply with all applicable State or County Public Health Orders, some of which require vaccination and boosting as follows:

  • Workers, who provide services in certain Health Care Facilities or in a correctional facility or detention center where health care is provided, will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated and boosted in accordance with applicable state orders. (Workers may be exempt from this requirement based on religious beliefs or a qualifying medical reason).
  • In addition, depending on assignment and COVID-19 Community Level, workers in certain high-risk settings may be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

The position for which you are applying may be required to adhere to any applicable State or County Public Health Orders. You will receive notification of any requirement as it applies to a position.


Email Notification
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Linette Lavey at linette.lavey@ocpubdef.com.

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Employer
County of Orange
Phone
714-834-2555
Website
https://hrs.oc.gov
Address
10 Civic Center Plaza

Santa Ana, California, 92701
Employer
County of Orange
Phone
714-834-2555
Website
https://hrs.oc.gov
Address
10 Civic Center Plaza

Santa Ana, California, 92701
Linette- Elephant Wildlife Care Specialist (Park Animal Keeper) Supplemental Questionnaire
* QUESTION 1
Please select your years of experience in a Zoo or similar.




* QUESTION 2
Do you possess any of the following degrees?





* QUESTION 3
How many years of experience do you have in public speaking?




* Required Question