Deadline: Fri, 09/30/2022 - 12:00pm Employer: In-Sync Exotics, Job Field: Wildlife Other Job Type: Full Time Location: Texas Location Detail: Wylie Job Description: Under general supervision, this position has responsibility for the care, welfare and safety of the animals at In-Sync Exotics. Maintains the physical enclosures, surroundings and environment of the animals. Answers questions and gives information to the visiting public. Trains and supervises volunteers and interns. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: • Cleans and maintains enclosures; removes animal excrement and food remnants; hoses and sweeps as necessary; scrubs animal areas; climbs ramps and platforms; cleans pools, tubs and water containers; changes bedding as necessary. • Prepares diets for animals; loads and unloads food items; maintains food storage areas; completes meat rotation. • Cleans and maintains non-animal areas, such as the commissary and supply storage areas. • Learns the procedures for feeding, enrichment and training cats. • Observes behavior of animals on both a day-to-day and long-term basis; notes and reports any unusual behavior, signs of injury or illness, change in appetite, etc. • Responsible for twice daily inspections of all animals and facilities (morning and evening checks). • Assists in administering medication or other treatments for illness or injury as directed. • Trains volunteers, interns and new staff members. • Assist volunteers with moving cats around so they can clean certain enclosures or assist them with getting bones/poop/etc that they may need to get from an occupied enclosure or finish up their assigned cages if they are unable to do so. • Completes required logs with all pertinent information. • Answers questions and gives information regarding our animals, our operations, our sanctuary and other areas of concern to our organization to the visiting public. Observes the public to prevent acts which could disturb the animals. Works in the Visitor Center as needed. • Assists in loading and unloading animals, and transports as necessary. • Makes minor repairs to equipment and facilities as necessary. • Provides assistance with construction and grounds maintenance projects. • Interacts with all visitors, staff members, volunteers and interns with courtesy, respect and professionalism. • Serves as Lead in the absence of the Lead Keeper when necessary. • Other duties as assigned. Qualifications: REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, and meet the essential capabilities listed. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION: High school diploma or GED required. Associates or bachelor’s degree in animal-related field strongly preferred. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: Must have completed an internship with In-Sync Exotics, or have one year of experience working with exotic animals. This may include volunteer work and internships. DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS: One year experience working with predators, exotic cats strongly preferred. Miscellaneous: ESSENTIAL MENTAL CAPABILITIES: • Ability to understand, remember and follow instructions and procedures. • High level reading, writing, spelling and communication skills (example: understand words such as quarantine, vaccination and other common industry-related terms), and a mastery of the English language. • Possess problem-solving capability. • Must be aware of potentially dangerous situations when working with the animals; must be able to remain calm with animals who are upset; behave sensitively and confidently; show good judgment and act appropriately in these situations. ESSENTIAL EMOTIONAL CAPABILITIES: • Ability to cope with unexpected animal behavior. • Ability to cope with a highly emotionally charged environment with some animals arriving at the sanctuary that were neglected and/or abused. • Ability to cope with the reality that our animals are with us for life, so we will always have to say goodbye to them at some point, as well as the reality that some of the animals in our care may have to be euthanized due to traumatic illnesses or injuries. • Ability to understand In-Sync Exotics’ policies and positions regarding key animal welfare issues and an ability and willingness to professionally, appropriately and accurately represent those policies when interacting with the public or otherwise representing In-Sync Exotics. Salary: TBD How to Apply: Please contact Vicky Keahey at insyncexotics@aol.com
