Animal Care Technician

Provisional Senior Wild Animal KeeperReports To: Supervisor of Animals/Animal Dept. Curator Position Managed: N/A Department: Animal Programs Location: Central Park Zoo Employment Type: Union, Full-Time Pay Range: $54,473.00 per year About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world's premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.Position Summary: To perform authorized activities necessary for the safe, proper, and humane management and maintenance of the animal collection, exhibits, holding facilities, and associated service.Principal Responsibilities:Supervise and provide leadership in the assigned section of the zoo, taking responsibility for daily animal care activities of keepers, trainees or interns as assigned, and be responsible for the exhibit appearance in the section.Perform and supervise safe, proper, and humane care of assigned animals according to established protocols or under the direction of the supervisory/curatorial staff.Prepare and supervise animal diets according to established protocols or under the direction of the supervisory/curatorial staff.Perform and supervise safe and proper maintenance of assigned animal exhibits, holding facilities, and associated service areas according to established protocols or under the direction of the supervisory/curatorial staff.Routine maintenance can include, but is not limited to, watering plants, maintenance/replacement of substrates and exhibit furnishings, clearing and cleaning drains/catches, changing lightbulbs, and cleaning exhibit glass.Assist curatorial/supervisory staff in developing safe, proper, and humane protocols for the management and maintenance of the animal collection, exhibits, holding facilities, and associated service areas.May provide guidance and on-the-job training to other employees.Participate in the modification and enhancement of animal exhibits under the direction of supervisory/curatorial staff, to include, but not limited to, the installation of plant material, perches, and exhibit props such as rocks and logs, monitoring water quality, addition of substrates, and cleaning of exhibit glass where maintenance staff does not have access.Inspect animal exhibits, holding facilities, and associated service areas to ensure that they are clean, well-lit, properly ventilated, properly heated or cooled, and that all mechanical systems are operating properly.Report any deficiencies and/or required maintenance - whether Animal Department or Maintenance responsibility - to the supervisory/curatorial staff.Make any minor repairs necessary to assure safe, proper, and humane animal management.Observe assigned animals for any changes in activity pattern, social behavior, feeding behavior, and food preference, any abnormal behavior or evidence of injury and illness, any indications of sexual behavior or sexual cycle.Summarize these and any other observations relevant to safe, proper, and humane management in a daily report submitted to the supervisory/curatorial staff.Maintain life history cards and other assigned recordkeeping.Promptly report anything that might require immediate action to the supervisory/curatorial staff.Carry out the curator and veterinarian's instructions for the care of sick and injured animals and summarize required procedures in a daily report submitted to the supervisory/curatorial staff.Submit a daily report to supervisory/curatorial staff that summarizes events/changes in the animal collection and staff activities within assigned work areas, identifies required maintenance, and lists needed supplies and equipment.Participate in CPZ animal behavior programs to facilitate animal management and to enhance and enrich the daily lives of the animals in our care.Develop animal conditioning skills and techniques. Maintain each animal's current level of behavior criteria through effective observation, listening, and training application.Develop a proactive approach to behavioral husbandry. Anticipate behavioral issues and discuss with the supervisor/curator to avoid potential problems.Implement department programs to condition behaviors and acclimate both naive and experienced animals to exhibits.Provide special attention to the need to make animals more visible to our guests.Aid the general public and provide information concerning the Central Park Zoo, guest services, exhibits, and the animal collection.Enforce the Central Park Zoo's guest rules and regulations.Perform other related tasks and duties at the instruction of the supervisory/curatorial staff.