Zoological Specialist, Associate (Animal Ambassadors)

At Discovery Cove Orlando, we're passionate about caring for animals. In fact, we've already rescued over 40,000 animals (and counting!). And we can save you from being stuck in just another job. Join us and help bring joy, excitement, and lasting memories to people from around the world. We're seeking enthusiastic, dedicated, and hard-working individuals to become our Ambassadors. Join us and play an important part on our incredible team!

What you get to do: We have Animal Trainer positions in a variety of levels. All of them offer you the chance to provide care and compassionate training to a variety of magnificent animals. You will perform daily husbandry tasks, including administering vitamins and medications as directed, preparing food, and maintaining a safe and sanitary working area for all animal habitats.

• Support animal ambassadors
• Observe animals and report any abnormalities to supervisor and team
• Maintain all animal records and equipment
• Ensure working environment follows established guidelines and safety procedures
• Consistently display consideration, tolerance, cooperation, open communication, and reliability
• Support education and general public guest presentations in order to develop speaking skills and stage presence
• Proactively engage with guests and respond to guest inquiries
• Help prepare educational aspects of guest presentations
• Serve as secondary animal person and safety spotter when needed
• Act as primary trainer when approved and as directed by leadership
• Work with animals on basic behavior and behavioral modification techniques under supervision
• Represent company in public relations or media situations/events
• Perform primary roles as assigned by area leadership
• Engage in and execute all aspects of guest interaction programs
• Work with animals using behavioral modification techniques as instructed
• Train behavior to completion under minimal supervision

As a 365 day/year operation, candidates are expected to provide flexible availability to support year-round operating needs. This may include, but is not limited to, working opening, mid-day and closing shifts during peak and non-peak seasons, as well as weekends and holidays.

What else is important:

• Experience working with small mammals
• Able to lift, push, pull and/or carry up to 50 lbs.
• Position engages in extensive walking and standing throughout entire work shift and climb/ascend heights, if needed
• Perform the following physical activities: kneeling, squatting, bend floor-to waist/waist-to-overhead, reach overhead, simple grasp and fine hand manipulation tasks (use of tools/keyboard/writing)
• Able to work indoors and outdoors, in varying weather, to include extreme heat. Position may be exposed to fumes, dust, odors and cold/heat temperature extremes
• Perform cleaning duties; including use of cleaning chemicals
• Flexible in work locations as placement will depend on business needs and career development opportunities

Position level and Compensation rate will be contingent on professional zoological animal care experience at an AZA or equivalent facility. Level is determined through review and assessment of applicable experience by Zoo leadership. Experience required for each level is detailed below:

• Associate: Entry level position
• Specialist: Minimum of 12 months (2,080 hours) professional zoological experience
• Senior: Minimum of 2.5 years (5,200 hours) professional zoological experience
• Senior 1: Minimum of 5 years (10,400 hours) professional zoological experience

The perks of the position: Ambassadors will enjoy a fun, fast-paced environment, and great teammates, as well as:

• FREE park admission
• Discounts on park admission tickets and passes for family and friends
• Park discounts on food, merchandise, etc.
• Scholarship opportunities
• Exclusive employee events and giveaways

EEO Employer:

SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, PREGNANCY, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, DISABILITY OR COVERED VETERAN STATUS.