Chimpanzee Caregiver
Our Mission:
Project Chimps is the newest chimpanzee sanctuary in the United States and was founded to provide lifetime exemplary care to more than 200 former research chimpanzees. Today, Project Chimps is home to 77 chimpanzees and we are working to bring more than 120 to permanent sanctuary.
Our Location:
The Project Chimps sanctuary is located on over 230 acres of forested land in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We are located in Morganton, Georgia, just east of the town of Blue Ridge.
Our Culture:
Our culture of excellence is sustained by a passionate, high-performing team of core staff and volunteers. If you thrive in a results-oriented culture dedicated to performance excellence, we invite you to join our team!
The Position:
Project Chimps is seeking a Full Time Caregiver to providing high-quality care to chimpanzees in a safe and secure manner while working in a team environment. A Caregiver reports to the Chimp Care Supervisor and works closely with Caregiver Aides, other Caregivers, and leadership personnel.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Contribute to a positive and professional organizational culture that promotes Project Chimps’ values, mission, and vision
- Actively participate in chimpanzee husbandry and care to maintain relationships with chimps
- Directly responsible for the well-being, safety, and security of the chimpanzees and Project Chimps personnel during the work day
- Possess and responsible for keys to chimpanzee housing and to access housing in a safe and secure manner that prevents escapes
- Shift chimpanzees between different areas within their enclosure in a manner that prevents escapes and follows Project Chimps procedures
- Monitors chimpanzee health and behavior, and reports any changes to the Manager of Chimpanzee Care
- Prepares and serves chimpanzees’ meals
- Develops, constructs and/or prepares daily enrichment for the chimpanzees’
- Administers chimpanzees’ medications as directed by the veterinarian
- Cleans and/or disinfects chimpanzee enclosures
- Launders bedding and toys for the chimpanzees
- Record and evaluate chimpanzees’ physical, social, and psychological wellness
- Opportunities to conduct positive reinforcement training session with the chimpanzees upon approval
- Maintains work areas and equipment in a clean, sanitary, and organized manner
- Follows Project Chimps’ policies and procedures, and serves as a positive example to other team members
- May assist in training or provide guidance to newly hired Caregiver Aides and/or Volunteers
- With training and authorization from the Manager of Chimpanzee Care, may be assigned to serve as a Lead Emergency Responder
- Participate in advancements in socialization and introduction procedures
- Actively participating in team problem-solving and decision-making processes; required attendance at staff meetings
Education and Experience: **
- Degree in Primatology, Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, or related field preferred
- Minimum of one year’s experience in chimpanzee husbandry and care, including 6 months of experience at Project Chimps, or
- A minimum of two years’ experience in chimpanzee/great ape husbandry and care at other facilities.
- Must remain current in CPR and first-aid certification.
- Demonstrate superb interpersonal, communication, critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Must be able to move/lift 50 pounds and work in variable weather conditions as well as in physically demanding terrain
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Must have or obtain and maintain an up-to-date vaccines as required for this position.
- Excellent organizational and time planning skills.
- Demonstrated critical thinking and ability to handle complex situations with sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated to be proactive and self-motivated.
- Must be able to endure occasional long workdays 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.
- Basic computer skills are necessary in day to day operation
Our Commitment:
Project Chimps is committed to fostering a work environment that embraces diversity and inclusion in a unified approach to delivering quality care to the chimpanzees, our volunteers, and one another. We are an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $13.05 - $15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Holidays
- Weekend availability