Animal Ambassador Specialist

The Virginia Zoo is looking to welcome to the team a full-time Animal Ambassador Specialist to join the team!

Founded in 1901, the Virginia Zoo is located in Norfolk, VA and is home to more than 700 animals representing over 150 species. It resides on 53 acres and is mostly outdoors with an indoor World of Reptiles exhibit, 3 classrooms, and an indoor restaurant and gift shop.

The Animal Ambassador Specialist at the Virginia Zoo provide the highest level of animal welfare for the Virginia Zoo’s Animal Ambassadors. Animal Ambassador Specialists are responsible for the husbandry, training, providing enrichment, and public presentations with all species in the Virginia Zoo animal ambassador program animal collection. Duties involve animal husbandry, training, record keeping, and contributing to creating and presenting enrichment opportunities for animal ambassadors. Animal Ambassador Specialists contribute to the Virginia Zoo mission by delivering public facing education presentations with our Animal Ambassadors.

This is a full-time, Non-Exempt position reporting to the Curator - Animal Ambassadors with the Virginia Zoological Society.

Schedule does vary to include weekends and occasional evenings.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Responsible for animal ambassador diet preparation, delivery, feeding, monitoring, and recording.
• Observes and maintain daily documentation of animal ambassadors to include checking for medical issues, changes in behavior, feeding habits, and overall wellbeing.
• Contribute for the care of animals as specified by supervisory and veterinary staff in accordance with nutritional, social, physical, and behavioral requirements.
• Cleans, disinfects, and maintains animal exhibits, enclosures, food and water dishes, pools, and other areas.
• Maintains and updates all records and information pertaining to animal ambassadors.
• Maintain up to date knowledge and best practices of behavioral characteristics and handling procedures for assigned animals.
• Maintain up to date knowledge and ability to conduct animal restraint and operate restraint apparatus such as squeeze cages safely.
• Conduct research and follow breeding recommendations and protocol set by the Species Survival Plan (SSP).
• Administer prescribed medical treatment to animal ambassadors as directed by the Zoo Veterinarian.
• Responsible for cleaning and routine maintenance of animal enclosures, both inside and outside.
• Contributes with writing animal training plans and engages in training sessions with animals within the animal ambassador department that are voluntary and positive for the animals.
• Creates perching, shelter, and other animal enclosure furniture features as appropriate for the species and individual animal to provide enrichment.
• Maintain proper up-to-date knowledge of AZA standards regarding animal handling, animal husbandry, animal welfare, and presentations.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of best practices in animal husbandry, training, enrichment, and educational presentations.
• Contribute to writing animal enrichment proposals that provides stimulating and safe enrichment opportunities to the animals with the goal of eliciting natural behaviors.
• Acts as a resource for education staff/volunteers working in the area and/or with animal ambassadors.
• May assist in working special events or programs as needed for program animal presentation.
• Contribute to the upkeep of Animal Ambassador handbook consisting of bio-facts, training methods, animal handling procedures, and best practices as required by AZA standards.
• Diligently adheres to all safety protocols and area standard operating procedures.
• Track participation of animal ambassador utilized in presentations on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.
• Track and record guest counts for animal interactions.
• Contribute to the education and best practices of animal handling of education staff and approved volunteers.
• Other duties as assigned.

 Perks For working at the Virginia Zoo!

• Positive, fun atmosphere.
• 15 Paid holidays
• Generous amount of PTO
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, and retirement plan are offered following a 60-day probationary period.
• Free Zoo membership.
• Discounts in the gift shop and restaurants.
• Behind-The-Scenes tour.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks.
• Ability to work with individuals and groups of all ages.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Associate' degree in biology or associated field and at least 6 months of progressive experience working with zoological animals required.
• Experience with zoological animal husbandry required.
• Knowledge of zoology and informal education preferred.
• Experience in animal training using positive reinforcement techniques preferred.
• Experience in the presentation of animal ambassadors to the public preferred.
• Experience in working with interns and volunteers preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds capacity at times.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk and stand; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.

Additional Requirements

• Able to work indoor and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Ability to maintain a professional appearance and manner.

At Virginia Zoological Society, we believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, genetic information, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.

The Virginia Zoo is a drug free workplace