Lead Animal Keeper

**Responsibilities**:

- Monitor health, behavior, and general welfare of the primates and communicate observations to veterinary staff and supervisory team. Prepare and relay detailed reports of animal and enclosure conditions to Sanctuary Manager/Director
- Make recommendations regarding animal care including diet changes, habitat design, training, enrichment, and related matters and take steps to implement improvements
- Maintain primate enclosures and holding areas through efficient sanitization, general maintenance, and daily safety checks.
- Make recommendations for improvements to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and create new protocols as needs arise.
- Develop and implement behavioral programs to train primates to voluntarily participate in daily husbandry and medical care. Lead fellow animal keepers to maintain and improve established behaviors.
- Complete routine veterinary care including but not limited to medication administration orally or via injection, safe capture, medical observations, etc. Coordinate directly with veterinary staff and supervisors to provide high-quality veterinary care to animals.
- Take active role in leadership by training, educating, and overseeing sanctuary employees, interns, and volunteers.
- Assign tasks and duties to animal keepers, interns, and volunteers to maintain high standards of animal care and supervise personnel to ensure standards are met.
- Educate the public and sanctuary personnel on proper husbandry and retirement of primates

**Job Requirements**:

- High school diploma/GED is required
- Associate’s and/or Bachelor’s degree in associated field or equivalent animal care experience and/or relevant coursework is a plus
- Minimum 1-year professional experience with animals is **required**:

- Experience with exotic animals is strongly preferred
- Possess leadership skills - previous management experience is preferred.
- Ability to work well within a small team environment and possess the discipline to work individually with mínimal supervision.
- Must be willing to work weekends and holidays if needed
- Proof of negative TB test required (can be completed after hiring)
- Must be over 18 years of age to apply

Pay: $15.00 per hour

Expected hours: 39 per week

**Benefits**:

- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift

Work Location: In person