Carnivore/ Penguin Keeper
Full time @Virginia Safari Park Shortlist Email JobJob Detail
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Job ID 11199
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Industry Animal Care
Job Description
The Virginia Safari Park (www.virginiasafaripark.com) is an award-winning 180-acre drive-through safari park (within our 500-acre facility) located in Southwest Virginia. This ZAA-Accredited Facility houses 1,000+ specimens of a wide variety of hoofed stock, including breeding groups of white rhinoceros and reticulated giraffe. We also breed cheetahs, Ruppel’s vultures, radiated tortoises, African penguins, Giant anteaters, and a variety of other endangered and rare species.
Conservation is at the core of what we do. Through our various breeding programs and in conjunction with our Corporate Conservation Coordinator, we annually fund a myriad of conservation programs both nationally and internationally.
We currently have a full-time opening available in our Carnivore/Penguin village section. This position requires a person with excellent observation skills and a strong work ethic (this role personally runs and trains Cheetahs, and oversees African Penguin breeding programs). Keeper will be responsible for the daily care of the animals. Full-time keepers are required to maintain their animal records as well as assist in breeding programs. We are looking for people with strong prior experience. Experience can be substituted for a degree.
Animals that will be under your teams’ care:
- Tigers
- Cheetahs
- African Penguins
- King Vultures
- Laughing Kookaburra
- Giant Anteaters
- Pygmy goats
- Ring Tailed Lemurs
- Ruppel Griffon Vultures
- Red Kangaroos
- Squirrel Monkeys
- Various reptiles
- Spider Monkeys
- Ruffed Lemur
- Budgies
- Sloth
- Eagle Owl
- Patagonian Conure
- Various Peafowl
- Various Pheasants
Requirements:
- *Big cat experience is required for this position*
- Primate, bird, and/or hoof stock experience.
- A bachelor’s degree in science, Animal Science/Biology preferred.
- A strong work ethic, good physical condition, and a willingness to learn.
- Must be able to adhere to our strict personal appearance requirements, no visible tattoos permitted.
- Maintain a non-smoking work environment
- Have the ability to work in all weather conditions
- Experience in using or willing to learn to use trucks, tractors, weed eaters, and other types of machinery
- Minimum of 6 months of paid animal care
- Valid Driver’s license
- Must be able to work weekends and holidays
- Must be able to lift a minimum of 50lbs
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Health Insurance, including vision and dental
- Paid time off
- 401K
- Employee Housing (first come first serve)
Please send your cover letter and resume to:
Sarah Friedel
General Curator
Virginia Safari Park
229 Safari Lane
Natural Bridge, VA 24578
Sfriedel@virginiasafaripark.com
