Animal Caretaker ($18.63/hour - $25.14/hour)

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general supervision of the Recreation Coordinator II, the Animal Caretaker, will provide additional oversight of the daily care of resident animals at either the Hayward Area Shoreline Interpretive Center or the Sulphur Creek Nature Center and those animals at the wildlife rehabilitation hospital at the Sulphur Creek Nature Center.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Incumbents in this class are primarily responsible for performing animal care duties but may also perform general duties to assist with park operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Incumbents may not perform all duties. Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide overall care to resident and rehabilitation animals
• Assess injuries and health of animals in the rehabilitation program and make decisions on care
• Run medical tests and chemical tests to ensure health and safe living environments for animals
• Secure animals at every closing, after events, and upon return from lending library program
• Clean cages/enclosures/tanks of animals and determine, prepare and administer appropriate diet
• Prescribe, calculate dosage, and administer medications/treatment for animals in need
• Train, lead and direct the work of animal care volunteers and the Animal Care Program Aide
• Assist in overseeing databases for resident animal care, wildlife rehabilitation and volunteers in animal care
• Oversee coordination of the animal lending library and rental programs
• Assist visitors and callers with questions, program information and related inquires
• Encourage and maintain positive relations with staff, volunteers, and the general public
• Assist team with preparation and implementation of special events
• Performs other duties as assigned

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees work both indoors and outdoors, are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road/terrain/surface hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances, odors and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representative in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. The functions of this position are primarily performed indoors in the Wildlife Hospital, Discovery Museum or Interpretive Room, and outdoor enclosures that house, resident and rehabilitation animals and waterways that houses wild San Francisco Bay-Estuary animals. Specialized aspects of the work environment will also include: training, working with and directing volunteers from ages 16 80 to assist in the care of wild animals which include cleaning cages and water tanks, preparing specialized diets, and animal handling. Incumbents may be assigned an irregular working schedule including weekends, evenings and holidays.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must possess strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work including shoveling, raking, work around machines, to operate varied hand and power tools and equipment, and to operate vehicles to visit different areas at the site; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to perform work. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, to grasp objects/animals, and to operate tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, kneel, squat, push/pull; ability to raise arms above shoulder height; strength to help restrain an animal safely, perform lifting and carrying of cages, supplies and materials up to 50 pounds, and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Ability and Skill to:

• Self-motivated, can work alone and with a team
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Communicate effectively with the public, respond to conflicts, and provide excellent customer service
• Work cooperatively and effectively with education staff and volunteers
• Respond appropriately to changing situations and stressful conditions
• Safely handle and restrain a wide variety of animal species preferred
• Drive and operate a vehicle and heavy-duty golf cart
• Bi-lingual a plus, but not necessary

Knowledge of:

• The identification of local birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, and/or San Francisco Bay-Estuary wildlife
• Education/Experience/Training:
• 6 months to 1 year desired in direct animal care experience of wildlife
• Experience working with volunteers preferred
• Proven experience in MS Office programs: Excel, Word, Access, Outlook
• Must be able to write in a clear and concise fashion for daily record keeping on animals

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to work weekends and evenings
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification required
• Provide proof of negative TB Skin Test
• Must have pre-exposure rabies vaccinations
• Possession of a valid CA Drivers License
• Verification of ID and of the ability work in the USA
• Any offer of employment to an adult employee who will have direct contact with minors is conditional upon a satisfactory fingerprint clearance and background check (DOJ)