Elephant Caregiver-Level I

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee exists to provide elephants with individualized care, the companionship of a herd, and the opportunity to live out their lives in a safe haven dedicated to their well-being; and to educate the public of the complex needs of elephants and the crisis facing elephants in the wild.

Status: Full-time, Non-exempt; 8 Hour Shifts; Must be available weekends, holidays, and night feeds

POSITION SUMMARY: The intent of the Elephant Care Program is to provide exceptional whole life care for The Sanctuary’s resident elephants.  We strive to expand and improve opportunities for elephants to thrive and to support elephants as they age relevant to Sanctuary resources and infrastructure.

The Elephant Caregiver is a member of the elephant husbandry team providing quality daily care, social and herd opportunity, nutrition, and treatments using Protected Contact and Positive Reinforcement for aging African and Asian elephants housed at The Sanctuary.  Caregivers play an important role in maintaining the elephant barns and habitats to provide safe and secure housing.  

Position Objectives

• Actively participate with The Sanctuary team supporting all aspects of daily and year-round elephant and facility care.
• Ensure best possible wellness practices to meet the changing health and social needs of elephants as they age. Prepare for and manage end of life palliative care and ensure quality of life.
• Manage seasonal elephant care requirements to the best of our ability.
• Employ “Protected Contact” best practice elephant management through Positive Reinforcement.

We encourage you to apply if you can meet the requirements below. A successful candidate will be:

SUCCESS FACTORS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Team Oriented – Develop cooperative working relationships with other Sanctuary employees, departments, senior managemen
• Good Communicator – Communicate respectfully and effectively with others. Good verbal and written communication skills. Report internal and/or external issues and concerns to supervisor.
• Self-Motivated – Perform the job responsibilities with minimal supervision, takes initiative without direction. Strong work ethic and professional demeanor. Ability to recognize and understand issues and problems, then resolve them in a practical manner.
• Dependable and Reliable – Come to work and be on ti Follow procedures and maintain accurate records related to all aspects of elephant care and all areas of responsibility.
• Training – Identify and engage in ongoing professional development. Develop self-training plan with supervisor and play a support role to help train co-workers.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include elephant care, facilities and supplies, safety, administrative, and other duties as needed

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES:

• Three years combined volunteer, intern or paid experience working with exotic or native wildli Elephant experience preferred. Significant domestic large animal experience will be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferr A combination of experience and education is acceptable.
• Require animal training experience working in protected contact and positive reinforcement systems.
• Valid Driver’s License, insurable to drive company vehicles, and ability to provide own transportation to/from wor
• Require equipment & tool operating experience including mowers, weed-eaters, chainsaws, and power tools. Heavy equipment operation a plus (skid steer loaders, farm tractors).
• Require vehicle operating experience including 4-wheel drive trucks, ATVs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to stand/work for 8 hours in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift and carry 50lbs repeatedly during loading/unloading supplies.
• Walk in various terrain-uneven, sloped, rocky, etc.
• Pushing, pulling, reaching overhead, reaching at or below shoulder level, keyboarding, seizing, holding, grasping, turning, touching, pinching, picking, stooping, crouching, kneeling, climbing
• Use of one or both feet to move controls on machinery or equipment
• Driving (tractor, mower, ATV, etc.)
• Speaking- convey detailed spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly (ex. communicate on the radio while on an ATV, shout to co-workers when not in visual contact, speak quickly and accurately)
• Hearing- Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds to include the ability to hear and respond quickly to radio calls, communicate while riding an ATV, understand commands from co-workers)
• Visual- ability to see 20 feet or more and to recognize features; peripheral
• Must be able to perform repetitive manual tasks, (cutting produce, pressure washing, raking).
• Ability to react quickly due to movements of elephants