Animal Behavior Specialist
Project Chimps provides lifelong care to former research chimpanzees at its 236-acre forested sanctuary in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
This position is responsible for conducting and evaluating behavior assessments, design and implement training and behavior management plans, and provide behavioral shaping plans following positive reinforcement methods. Will additionally create enrichment plans to support behavioral needs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES are derived from SECTION C, Performance Standards.
Animal Husbandry
- Ensures that behavior and enrichment programs are maintained at or above those set by USDA and GFAS.
- Oversee the implementation of behavior shaping plans.
- Actively participate in chimpanzee husbandry and care to maintain relationships with chimps.
- Update, approve, and implement protocol modifications for behavior and enrichment policies.
- Design and implement behavior plans for all chimpanzees collaboratively with the Vet and Manager of Chimpanzee Care.
- Evaluate a-typical behaviors and consult with outside specialist as needed to create individual correction plans.
- Consult with Care staff on behavior concerns; assist the team in developing and implementing staff skill-building programs in animal training and enrichment, as assigned.
- Observe chimpanzees’ enrichment and training and coach care team on techniques, as assigned.
- Volunteer & Interns
- Work with volunteers and interns on a daily basis in a professional and courteous manner.
- Mentor interns on individual projects as assigned.
- Work within a team to evaluate and promote/demote volunteers.
- Update volunteers and intern training protocols as needed.
- Supply Inventory
- Monitors inventory levels supplies needed for assigned area.
- Identifies and suggests new products, vendors, resources, or inventory routines as needed to continually improve quality and meet budget.
- Admin
- Implements, develops and/or revises standard operating procedures or other reports; conducts or coordinates training.
- Ensure that animal care teams are following defined processes for approval and documentation of training and enrichment initiatives.
- Maintains or reviews necessary records of logs relating to behavior plans both handwritten files as well as the ZIMS online database.
- Assists care teams with development and implementation of case-specific behavior evaluations and behavior management plans.
- Prepares and has responsibility for the annual budget for behavior supplies.
- Provides support on writing monthly and annual reports.
- Disaster Response
- Create behavior plans to support chimpanzees cooperating in disaster responses.
- In the event of a major disaster, respond to the situation as outlined in the current Emergency Preparedness Protocol.
- Safety
- Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment. Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, chimpanzees’, or the organization at risk.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES are derived from SECTION C, Performance Standards.
- May develop, conduct or supervise advancements in socialization and introduction procedures.
- Actively participating in team problem-solving and decision making processes; required attendance at staff meetings.
- Is prepared to travel for meetings and continuing education.
- Other duties as assigned.
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology, ethology or related field, and at least two years of demonstrated animal training and behavior assessment experience, master’s degree in behavior or psychology preferred, primate experience highly preferred.
- Must be 18 years of age per state and federal requirements.
- Five to ten years progressive experience in zoological organizations, primate experience preferred.
- Must remain current in CPR and first-aid certification.
- The ideal candidate will also demonstrate superb interpersonal, communication, critical thinking and decision-making skills.
NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Must have advanced knowledge of animal behavior.
- Must know basic principles of operant conditioning in relation wellness exams and medication receipt.
- Must be able to move/lift 50 pounds.
- Good communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Must have or obtain and maintain an up-to-date vaccines as required for this position.
- Must be able to use a computer and word/excel programs.
- Excellent organizational and time planning skills.
- Demonstrated critical thinking and ability to handle complex situations with sound judgment and problem solving skills.
- Demonstrated proficiency in designing, implementing, and evaluating behavior-analytic assessments and behavior-change programs.
- Demonstrated to be proactive and self-motivated.
- Must be able to endure occasional long workdays (up to 12 hours) and maintain focus, accuracy and physical activities required by job.
- Work requires continual attention to detail. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Supervise volunteers and interns in normal daily duties; additionally, mentor assigned interns on individual projects.