Primate Curator Career Opportunity

 Lion Country Safari

Primate Curator

THE PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS: The Primate Curator will act as an extension of the Curator in overseeing their area of responsibility. This area of responsibility includes chimpanzees and white handed gibbons. The Primate Curator will also direct, supervise and support the primate keepers in their assigned areas with respect to safety, animal welfare, animal husbandry (including training, enrichment, diets, and medications), record keeping, aesthetics, routines, security, and USDA/FWC/AZA regulations. The Primate Curator will regularly meet with the Curator to represent his/her staff and work area, and submit input as to safety, animal health, animal welfare, security, husbandry, display design, and long-range planning.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Must exhibit leadership qualities such as effective time management, a collaborative mindset, and good communication skills. Must be capable of tactfully directing and supporting keepers in his/her area of responsibility and must always be a positive role model and mentor that treats the team with respect and fairness.
• Oversee the care, management, staff, safety protocols, and recordkeeping of chimpanzees and white handed (WH) gibbons.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and the AZA to coordinate efforts and activities that advance the goals of Lion Country Safari. Actively participate in AZA programs by providing information to SSP coordinators and/or TAG Chairs related to animal management or breeding efforts.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee primate introductions in collaboration with the Curator and animal care team(s).
• Play an active role in exhibit design and improvements.
• Work with veterinarian and other curatorial staff to monitor diet, medications, welfare, and general health of the primates.
• Work with the Training and Enrichment Curator to oversee training and enrichment programs for primates.
• Must collaborate with a multiple departments and committees, including but not limited to; maintenance, hospital, landscaping, projects, assistant curators, lead keepers, browse and wellness committee, PR, etc.
• Maintain proper judgement in cases of emergencies, managing a safe work environment and striving for optimal animal wellness.
• Supervise the animal care program and adherence to the Institutional Collection Plan.
• Advance facilities and training for the institution.
• Maintain complete records in ZIMS and supervise compliance with standardized record keeping system.
• Ensure LCS maintains AZA standards in safety, animal wellness, and animal care.
• Must be prepared to participate in the process of hiring, firing, or other changes in employee status in relevant areas.
• Assist in the training and evaluation of keeper staff.
• Must monitor his/her area to ensure adherence to safety policies, continuity of animal care, and appearances of enclosures.
• Must be able and prepared to help the keepers in the performance of their duties.
• Must be able and prepared to complete minor maintenance work to ensure animal safety and security, visitor enjoyment, and maintain USDA and AZA standards. Problems beyond his/her ability to solve must be reported to the Curator.
• Must be able and prepared to assist the medical team with animal capture and restraint with regard to animal health care.
• Must be familiar with the use of capture equipment, supplies and all related safety protocols.
• Must monitor training of new keepers to ensure continuity particularly in regard to safety. Regular reporting of keeper progress to the curator is essential.
• When working in the drive through preserve, make sure all guests are observing park rules, regulations, and look for signs of distressed animals and report them to Lion 1.
• Must represent LCS professionally regarding media, government officials and business representatives.
• Must follow and adhere to all LCS safety procedures and standard operating procedures.
• Work with maintenance staff to complete safety inspections for relevant primate facilities.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

POSTION REQUIREMENTS

• University or college degree in animal science with a preference of an advanced degree in related field or relevant work experience.
• Prefer at least five (5) years paid experience with chimpanzees.
• Computer experience with software compatible to the zoological profession is considered an asset.
• Experience in animal care and wellness, animal management, and leading and supervising staff is preferred.
• Valid FL Driver’s license
• Reliable transportation
• Pass a drug screen and background check

BENEFITS

• Insurance coverage (medical, dental, and life)
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Performance based increase and review after first 90 days
• Annual reviews

EMPLOYEE PERKS

• 40% off lunch at the restaurant
• 40% off all retail shops
• Free tickets to Lion Country Safari
• Free tickets to attractions through Florida and discounts for family members
• Free uniforms

MISSION STATEMENT

Be a leader in animal care, conservation, and education to inspire people through connections with wildlife in a fun, family-friendly environment.

ABOUT LION COUNTRY SAFARI

Lion Country Safari opened in 1967 and was developed with the goal of bringing the African safari experience (then, and now, an expensive and time-consuming trip) to families who would otherwise not be able to experience this type of adventure. The park prides itself on caring for large social groups of animals (including some of the largest herds of zebra, giraffe, and rhino on record in North America) in wide open, natural habitats. The animals roam these multi-acre preserves while guests are confined to their vehicles. The resulting experience is immersive and allows for a very natural environment for guests to see and connect with some of the world's most iconic species. A visit to Lion Country Safari brings people closer to wildlife in this unique setting and supports conservation efforts to save species. Lion Country Safari is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the gold standard in animal care, conservation, and education, and is Palm Beach County’s largest attraction. 

DFWP/EOE

How to Apply

Please email ashleigh.kandrac@lioncountrysafari.com 

Lion Country Safari

2002 Lion Country Safari Rd.

Loxahatchee, FL 33470

Phone: 561-793-1084

Fax: 561-793-9603

Visit our website

Field research managers on bonobos

 Description:

The BonDiv project (www.bondiv.org) is seeking field managers for different research sites located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The BonDiv project is a large-scale collaborative research project that aims to investigate and document bonobo intraspecific diversity, allowing for simultaneous study of multiple sympatric species at 30 sites within the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each site will be managed by two people with complementary expertise in local culture, on the ground, and scientific knowledge, and will have a duration of 12-15 months. 

The successful candidates will be responsible for data and sample collection, including detailed data on bonobo ecology, food availability, prey species, other sympatric wildlife, climate, human impact, and social surveys, and organic samples for genetic, pathogen, diet, metabolomics, and isotope analyses. Furthermore, the candidate will be responsible for the installation of remote video cameras and subsequent regular revisits for maintenance and data download. The candidate will be further responsible for data entry, sample storage, and monthly reporting of progress and results. Finally, the candidate will be responsible for coordinating the project activities for the site, hiring and supervising 2-3 local field assistants, staying within a fixed budget, and managing the field site.

Research sites are located in exceptionally remote regions, with no (or very little) internet connection (but with access to a satellite communicator). Positions will begin with a training workshop in Kinshasa, DRC, at the end of 2022/beginning of 2023, followed by 12 to 15 continuous months at the respective field site.

We encourage all candidates to familiarize themselves with their country’s travel advisories before applying. Be advised, that all activities will fall within the geographic range of the bonobo, comprising the provinces of Tshuapa, Tshopo, Mai-Ndombe, Equateur, and Maniema.

 

Required skills:

-       undergraduate degree in biology or a related field

-       at least 6 months of fieldwork experience, preferably in remote areas of the tropics

-       conversational competency in French and English

-       to be proficient with email communication, MS Excel, and Word

-       physically fit and capable of working long days in tropical rainforest

-       good interpersonal and communication skills, including a strong ability to work independently (potentially with some previous experience managing the work of others), capability to lead and manage an international team, be mentally fit and resistant to stress, communicate clearly and regularly via remote connections with coordinator/directors, and comfortable to live and work in a context and culture potentially significantly different than your own

-       some previous experience or demonstratable capability to manage project financing, keep the expenses within a set budget, and maintain regular reporting of expenses

-       willing and able to live away from developed areas, isolated and with minimal living conditions (no plumbing, electricity, or housing) in extremely remote locations

 

 

Preferred skills:

-       fieldwork experience with apes

-       experience with GPS, camera traps, and biological sample collection

-       to be proficient with Cybertracker, QGIS, BaseCamp/MapSource

 

Expectations of conduct:

-       respectful to members of local communities and wildlife

-       honest and accountable communication with project management

-       no drug use (including alcohol) allowed in camp or during working hours

-       sexual and/or gender-based harassment of any type will not be tolerated

-       failure of any of these points will be grounds for immediate dismissal at your own expense

 

What we offer:

-       unique opportunity to work in the central African rainforest with the world’s least know ape species

-       rigorous training and proficiency in diverse research and scientific methods relevant for careers in applied conservation and ecological research

-       all expenses covered, including visa, roundtrip to Kinshasa (DRC), transport to/from the site, and lodging and food during the project

-       all necessary equipment to perform diverse sets of research

-       scientific contribution recognized in publications using samples or data that candidates collected

-       450USD monthly compensation

 

What candidates will need to cover:

-       health insurance that covers emergency repatriation and liability, including COVID-related illness

-       vaccinations required for entry into DRC prior to departure, and any medications recommended for remote field work, including malaria prophylaxis

-       clothes, shoes, and personal field equipment (we will provide a suggested list)

 

Applications should be submitted by September 15th, including a CV, letter of interest highlighting qualifications/experience, and the names and emails of three references to info@bondiv.org with ‘Field managers’ in the subject line. Interviews will be via zoom.

Job Opportunity: Research Professional

 The Department of Bioengineering is seeking a Life Science Research Professional to join the Brain Interfacing Lab. Individuals who have experience/interest in working closely with rhesus macaques in a neuroscience research setting should apply!

To learn more about this opportunity and to apply online, please go to:

https://careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/life-science-research-professional-18394

Volunteer Opportunities

 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

 Born Free USA, and international wildlife conservation and animal protection organization, has opportunities for volunteers from the US and abroad at its primate sanctuary in south Texas. This is an exiting experience for animal lovers or people interested in gaining experience in wildlife protection and care at an accredited sanctuary, and one of the best in the US.

 

Volunteers will support our sanctuary team, assisting with the day-to-day care of the hundreds of monkey residents. Working under the instruction of our caregiver team, you will help prepare and distribute their food and enrichment, clean enclosures, and maintain the grounds among other general tasks.

 

Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 10-12 weeks and will work five 8-hours shifts per week. Placements are available on an ongoing basis.

 

Born Free USA provides housing in shared accommodations along with basic food/pantry staples.

 

Prior experience working with primates is not required. We will provide the instruction needed! We welcome any volunteers who have a respect for animals and a commitment to their welfare.

 

Necessary Qualifications:

• Competency in English, both spoken and written.
• Ability to perform physical labor, including lifting up to 50 pounds (22 kilos).
• Ability and willingness to work in all weather conditions, including cold, rain, and heat (100F/38C+).
• Willingness to take direction and follow safety protocols.

 

About the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary

The Born Free Primate Sanctuary provides a lifelong care to hundreds of monkeys, many of whom have been rescued from abusive or exploitative situations. We are located on 175 acres approximately 90 miles south of San Antonio, Texas. The focus of our animal care is to provide conditions in which this captive population of macaques, baboons, and vervets are allowed to live out the remainder of their lives with extensive freedom of movement, choice of food, and choice of companions, in accordance with their social nature. The sanctuary is not open to the public and we do not display animals for educational or entertainment purposes.

 

Born Free's mission is to end the suffering of wild animals in captivity, rescue individual animals in need, protect wildlife - including endangered species - in their natural habitats, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. Inspired by the iconic film Born Free, we work locally, nationally and internationally to end wild animal cruelty and suffering, protect threatened wildlife, and keep wildlife in the wild where they rightfully belong.

 

How to Apply

 

Send a letter to Katie Conway, Sanctuary Manager, at katiec@bornfreeusa.org. Be sure to tell us why you are interested in volunteering with us and the time period you are seeking.

 

FAQs for VOLUNTEERS

 

What experience do I need?

None! You need to have a respect for animals, a positive spirit, and a willingness to learn and work hard.

 

Will I be paid? What will you provide?

Volunteers are not paid. We provide housing and basic food supplies (e.g. rice, beans, bread, produce, paper goods).

 

If I am coming from outside the US, will you help with my visa?

Volunteers are responsible for their own visa applications and associated costs.

 

What if I want to volunteer for just a week or a month?

If you are interested in shorter term volunteering, this may be possible. Short term volunteers would help with food preparation, cleaning, and other such support tasks, and they will not assist in direct animal care. Accommodations are not provided for short term volunteers. We can recommend nearby hotels in the area, and you must have your own transportation.

 

Does Born Free USA embrace diversity and inclusivity?

Absolutely. We welcome people from all backgrounds, cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, gender identities, and sexual orientations. We are a safe place. Harassment, bullying, or discrimination is not tolerated.

 

Where is the sanctuary located? What is the area around there like?

The sanctuary is located approximately 90 miles south of San Antonio, Texas near the town of Cotulla. It is a rural area. You can get groceries within 5-15 miles, but you’ll likely want to go to San Antonio or Austin on your days off for entertainment or social activities. The surrounding area has beautiful places to camp, swim in a river, or hike.

 

How do I get there? Who pays for my travel?

You are responsible for arranging and the cost of travel to and from the sanctuary. The closest airport is San Antonio. If you do not have your own vehicle, we will pick you up from the airport on arrival and return you for departure.

 

Will I need a car while I am there?

We recommend you have a vehicle. We are in a rural location, and there is no public transportation. You need a car to go grocery shopping, for entertainment, and any activities off the property. Our team members are great about offering to have others go along with them, but they are not obligated to do so. Company vehicles are not provided for personal use.

 

What is the weather like in south Texas?

The winters are mostly mild, though it can drop to freezing temperatures for short periods. Spring and fall are lovely. Summer heat begins in May and doesn’t let up until October. You can expect several months of temperatures in the 90s and over 100 degrees.

 

What are the accommodations?

We offer shared housing in mobile homes, and we’ll be honest…they aren’t luxurious, but they are fully furnished and have heat and air conditioning. Accommodations include a furnished bedroom (either single or double), furnished living room, kitchen with appliances and basic cooking equipment, utilities, and internet. We do not provide bedding, bath linens, or phone or other electronic devices.

 

How much will I work?

You will work five days a week, eight hours a day with lunch and rest periods. You will have two days off each week to relax and enjoy the surrounding area.

 

Can I bring my pet cat or dog?

Generally, no. We wish we could accommodate them all, but we have to consider the dynamics of shared housing.

 

Do I have to be vegan/vegetarian?

As an animal protection organization, we encourage a compassionate plant-based diet, but it is not required. All team members must be respectful of their colleagues’ and housemates’ dietary choices.

Research Assistant Tamarin Behavior

 Research Assistant Tamarin Primate Behavior - Southeastern Peru 

Hiring Organization:

Field Projects International

Position Description:

Field Projects International (FPI) is seeking to fill four research assistant positions to assist in the study of two free-ranging populations of Neotropical primates, the emperor and saddleback tamarin, at the Los Amigos Biological Field Station in Southeastern Peru. You would be joining an established primate research program, ongoing since 2009. Lodging/accomodation and in-country travel to and from the field site are covered by the program, and a basic living stipend is provided. This is a great opportunity for someone who is planning to enter or is currently in a graduate research program focused on ecology or primatology. Participation in one or more research publications upon completion of the field component will be strongly encouraged.

The primary task in this position will be to conduct daily behavioral follows of several focal groups, each with one radio collared individual. Full day follows (i.e.. following a group from sleep tree to sleep tree) will be expected several days per week. Data collection will consist of scan sampling of behavior at fixed intervals, marking and collection of fruits from feeding trees, opportunistic collection of fecal samples, and recording of spontaneous reproductive behaviors such as mating and scent marking. If newborns are observed, focal observations of adult parents and alloparents will also be performed. The movement data collected will be associated with forest structure parameters acquired by high density lidar imaging. Feeding behavior data and samples will be incorporated into a study on natural seed dispersal. Social behavior will be used for a long-term dataset on cooperative breeding behavior.

These positions will provide incumbents with  invaluable experience in conducting primate field work, and may also coincide with opportunities to observe primate capture-release techniques. Team members will operate in pairs, following primate groups off-trail. The habitat is variable, broadly consisting of terra firme and varzea habitat. Within these areas are palm swamps, oxbow lakes, bamboo patches, primary and secondary growth forest. The field site is privately protected lowland Amazonian rainforest, contiguous with a 300K hectare conservation concession.

Accommodation is basic, shared wooden cabins/dorms with attached bathrooms. Bathrooms are fully functional with running water, but no hot showers. Meals are provided three times a day, and there is a nice field laboratory for preparing for field activities and processing samples and data. The station has reliable electricity and Wifi. All group territories are within easy walking distance from the base camp (straight line distance of 2km or less).

Qualifications/Experience:

Preferred applicants will have at least a BSc in biology, zoology, anthropology or a related discipline. Previous field experience with primate behavior is highly valued. An interest in general ecology is useful. The applicant should demonstrate an ability to handle the living conditions at the site, and have physical endurance and mental focus for sometimes very challenging primate follows, as some of the groups will require habituation. Prior experience with the use of radio telemetry will be highly beneficial. There are no language requirements, though English and Spanish are most commonly used at the site. Data must be entered in English. A 2-month commitment is required, with preferable start in early October.

Salary/Funding:

Field station accommodation plus meals is covered by the program. In-country travel costs will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the contract period. A monthly living stipend is provided to qualified individuals. You are expected to acquire your own basic field clothing, backpack, water bottle, binoculars and flashlight, rain gear, insect repellent, first aid kit, and footwear. GPS units, batteries, data and sample collection supplies will be provided by the program. You will be required to have basic health insurance that also covers emergency repatriation and liability. You must be current with all major vaccinations (including for Covid19). Absolute minimum age requirement of 18 years.

Term of Appointment:

2 month minimum

Application Deadline:

Qualified applications will be accepted on first come first serve basis starting Sep 5, 2022

Comments:

Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, CV, and names and email addresses of 2 references via email with subject line “Tamarin Primate Behavior RA - [Your Name]” to info(at)fieldprojects.org; Please do not send repeated letters of inquiry or telephone calls. Applications will be reviewed as they come in.

Contact Information:

Kate Molton

info(at)fieldprojects.org

Field Projects International

Search for a full time behavior technician

 We are looking for a full-time behavior technician, responsible for overseeing the wellbeing of non-human primates, mostly rhesus macaques. Tasks include managing socialization, positive reinforcement training, and making and providing enrichment. Data collection and entry will be required.  For more information don't hesitate to contact Adriane Maier at maiera@ohsu.edu.