Description

Wildlife Sanctuary keeper & Ranch Caretaker

Requirements

Beautiful 35-acre Southern California wildlife sanctuary in the San Bernardino Mountains National Forest seeking wildlife keeper experienced in equine, farm animals, exotic and or wildlife to assist with wildlife care as well as security, and maintenance of property, buildings, enclosures and barns.  Our mission is to rescue orphaned and injured wildlife and to educate the public about conservation and preservation of the importance of wildlife in our environment.  We are permitted under USDA, USFW and CAFW, and their regulations require that our employees are honest, reliable, trustworthy, conscientious, have a good work ethic, have a clear background check, are drug free, not addicted to alcohol, marijuana, vaping or smoking in order to ensure the safety of the wildlife and staff.

Compensation and benefits:  Live onsite full time, and work in a mountain community with a goal of preservation of the indigenous wildlife; experience rural living in a tourist destination of the San Bernardino National Forest; hours away from desert, beaches and cosmopolitan cities; salary negotiable commensurate with experience. 

Duties Include, but not limited to: 

       Daily animal care providing water, feed, medications, cleaning and safety of mule deer, and possible care of some birds of prey, carnivores, and mammals, including bears

       Mucking and raking of stalls and enclosures; shifting wildlife into weathering areas; inspecting their shelters and checking for wild animal interference  

       Maintenance of fencing, security gates, enclosures, water faucets and tanks, gates, barns, and buildings ensuring cleanliness and order

       Property maintenance including watering, weed eating, cutting down of trees, and gathering forest food for the animals like acorns and browse

       Basic knowledge and skills in mechanical, electrical and carpentry for ranch maintenance

       Upkeep of snow blowers, seasonal equipment, golf carts, and other vehicles operation and care

       Security of 5-acre Educational Center and the perimeter fencing of our upper 30 acres

Requirements Include: 

       Must speak and read English, with good communication skills and comfortable with the public

       Able to lift 25-100 lbs and to twist, bend, kneel, climb, and safely use hand tools & equipment

       Be computer literate to fill out logs, evaluations, and reports

       Work effectively with normal supervision as a self-motivated, self-starter who can adapt to change and respond to emergencies

       Work outdoors day or night in snow, ice, rain, or other forest weather conditions

       Comfortable in forest environment living near wildlife like bears, mountain lions, coyotes, deer, and other animals that we protect on our sanctuary from hunters and poachers

       Be a team player with our staff, volunteers, management and wardens and supervisors

       Use good social skills to encourage trespassers off of our property, or order them to do so

       Education:  Degrees in animal sciences, or biology preferred but not required for entry level position.