Behaviorist
Position description:
Performs tasks relating to the implementation and maintenance of the animal welfare and breeding programs for the BC US colony of Mauritius Cynomolgus Macaques. BC US raises animals with the highest welfare standards. The behaviorist is responsible for maintaining these standards through implementation of innovative inanimate enrichment techniques, conducting behavioral assessments, implementing social introductions, monitoring existing social dynamics, working through positive reinforcement training, acclimation, and familiarization, including training other staff in these methods, and documenting all program activities. Assists in colony management duties by monitoring production, morbidity and mortality, animal census, and performing behavioral profiles of sales animals. Assists Colony Manager and veterinary staff as directed.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Behaviorist must be able to perform the following tasks with minimum supervision:
· Behavioral observation
· Keep records of various tasks performed
· Follow Standard Operating Procedures of the facility
· Prepare, clean and give out enrichment items on rotating basis
· Optimize breeding groups by assisting in identification and establishment of successful breeders and retire non-breeders
· Maintain and update infant database by working with a team observe new infants, identify mothers and record their birth the same day it occurs
· Manage infant observation data collection
· Identify and establish appropriate social partners
· Manage and prepare acclimation and familiarization for sales and quarantine animals
· Develop specialized training programs based on needs of individual clients
· Must be available to work weekends and holidays when needed
· Must be team oriented, and willing to work across institutional divisions in a professional and courteous manner
· Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Works to encourage teamwork and group coordination as related to job duties.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Required:
· Must have a working understanding of principles of animal breeding and behavior
· Good organizational and communication skills
· Self-starter with good independent work ethic
· Experience with relational databases, Microsoft Office and e-mail. Documentation is an essential aspect of the job
· Ability to work in a team environment
· Ability to work unsupervised
Education:
Must have a BA/BS degree in a behavioral or biological science
Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:
LATG certification preferred
Florida Driver’s License or equivalent
Language Skills:
Must be able to read and write, and interpret documents including task descriptions, standard operating procedures, and other instructions. Spanish speaking is a plus.
Reasoning Ability:
Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in oral or written form.
Physical Demands:
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, with or without reasonable accommodations. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, lift, and reach. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Additionally, the employee must be able to distinguish colors.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodations. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or inclement weather, especially heat with high humidity, precipitation and cold rarely.
Please direct resume and letter of interest to: