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Job Description

Position: Hospital Animal Care Specialist

Reports to: Assistant Director, ZHP (Zoological Health Program)

Position Managed: Volunteers

Location: Bronx Zoo

Department: ZHP

Scope: Bronx Zoo; In-person

Position Type: Full time

Salary: $45,000 - $48,000

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:

The Hospital Animal Care Specialist is part of the team which cares for hospitalized and quarantined animals at the Zoological Health Program's (ZHP) Wildlife Health Center (WHC)/Quarantine Facility (QF). The individual's main responsibilities will be in performing any activity necessary to provide safe, proper and humane care of assigned animals in the WHC and QF according to established protocols or under the direction of ZHP/animal department supervisors or veterinarians. Maintenance of the WHC/QF physical plant and environs is also integral to the role.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Care, training and restraint of assigned animals of all taxa housed at the WHC/QF including carrying out medical care, recordkeeping, specialized diets as ordered by veterinarians or ZHP/animal department supervisors.
• Perform safe and proper maintenance (cleaning and proper environmental parameters) of environmentally controlled enclosures, holding facilities and associated service areas according to established protocols or under the direction of ZHP/animal department supervisors or veterinary staff.
• Participate in the modification, enhancement and proper disinfection of animal holding
• areas/enclosures under the direction of ZHP/animal department supervisors veterinary staff.
• Assist with equipment/supplies replacement, recordkeeping and maintenance including the compressed medical gas system; must obtain and maintain FDNY (Fire Department of New York) certificate of fitness or other similar certification as required.
• Set up and carry out mandated quarantine procedures (CDC, USDA or specific infectious disease control)
• Oversee the proper handling and disposal of Regulated Medical waste
• Maintain the WHC/QF environs and vehicles for cleanliness, safety and organization
• Troubleshoot and coordinate Operations/Maintenance staff and outside contractors to ensure the WHC and QF physical plant and medical systems operate properly
• Support the Pathology department by assisting with necropsies and subsequent clean-up as needed and operating the incinerator which requires obtaining and maintaining a New York State Crematory Operator's permit.
• Must understand and be able to comply with DEA regulations pertaining to controlled substances in veterinary practice.