Available Care Tech 2 positions at Save the Chimps

[Yvonne McAllister]

Position Title: Care Tech II

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Reports to: Curator

Date: 3/1/2024

Organizational Overview

Save the Chimps operates the largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuary in the world. Located on nearly 150 acres in Fort Pierce, on the Treasure Coast of Florida, the Sanctuary provides high quality lifetime medical and behavioral care and enrichment for chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, entertainment, and the pet trade.

Save the Chimps was established in 1997 and is home to over 220 chimpanzees. The work of the organization is accomplished by a nonprofit board of directors, approximately 80 full-time staff, and a number of community volunteers.

Job Responsibilities

The Care Technician II (CT2) position is responsible for performing highly skilled physical and mentally intensive tasks in the care and well-being of the chimpanzees. Following the Philosophy of Care and protocols as outlined in the Save the Chimps Chimpanzee Care Manual, the CT2 works to ensure that their assigned section is safe, functional, and clean; and that the chimpanzees are receiving consistent and exemplary care.

The duties of the CT2 include, but are not limited to:

·         Delivering the prescribed diet to the chimpanzees,

·         Maintaining and logging building “side-work”,

·         Working according to written plans and protocols where they exist,

·         Participating in operant conditioning of the chimpanzees,

·         Participating in the care and wellness assessments of individual chimpanzees,

·         Participating in regular safety drills,

·         Assisting the veterinary team when needed during procedures or recoveries from procedures,

·         Accurately reporting of all information to all relevant parties,

·         Upholding and defending the Code of Conduct

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

·         Possesses thorough knowledge of and a commitment to Save the Chimps, Inc.’s mission, safety policies and caregiver operations,

·         Demonstrates the ability to effectively collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization using professional and respectful communication approaches.

·         Demonstrates the ability to work well under pressure and multitask when required.

·         Demonstrated ability to perform tasks with accuracy and attention to detail.

Education, Work Experience and Qualifications

GED or High School Diploma Required, Associate or Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience in animal care preferred.

A minimum of ten (10) months of experience with captive chimpanzees at Save the Chimps, or one (1) year at other accredited facilities with Class A animals.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand for long periods of time; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs, step stools, ladders; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear; able to push and pull metal doors. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and team lift in excess of 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Environmental Requirements

• Tasks are regularly performed with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, animals/wildlife.
• Employees must not object to unpleasant chimpanzee behaviors including spitting of water or saliva, throwing of feces, food or other waste, and chimpanzee displays that may include banging, kicking of the fencing, and loud screams or hooting.
• Retaliation and/or negativity towards the chimpanzees are not permitted.

Save the Chimps is an equal opportunity employer and treats all applicants and employees consistently without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

Learn more about our organization via our website http://savethechimps.org. If you are interested in applying, please send your resume and cover letter to h...@savethechimps.org.