EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
As we continue to grow our exotic animal ranch, we seek highly motivated individuals to join our team. You may apply for one or more positions within a single application. Currently, all positions are full but we encourage you to apply as we are always reviewing applications for future open positions.
The Positions
All Animal Care positions are responsible for a variety of species at our private zoo. Job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Feeding animals (some bottle feeding is included)
Daily health checks
Maintaining cleanliness in animal habitats and facilities
Administering medication (or assisting with administration)
Socializing animals
Small animal CARE TEAM
Small Animal Zookeepers care for smaller animals such as hedgehogs, sugar gliders, fennec foxes, coatis, monkeys, springhares, porcupines, muntjac deer, macaws, toucans, and more. They also work with baby kangaroos, wallabies, goats, deer, and antelope. The majority of the day is spent working in climate-controlled indoor facilities in addition to some time working outdoors. Examples of job duties specific to this position include bottle feeding, preparing fresh diets, cleaning and disinfecting small animal cages indoors, raking small animal habitats outdoors, washing dishes, and cleaning indoor facilities.
Large Animal Care Team
Large Animal Zookeepers care for larger mammals such as giraffes, zebras, kangaroos & wallabies, horses, alpacas, deer, wildebeest, oryx, and a variety of other exotic hoofstock. Large Animal Zookeepers will also get to work with some smaller species like lemurs. The majority of the day is spent working outdoors. Example of job duties specific to this position include bottle feeding, feeding hay, raking animal habitats, mucking stalls, power-washing, and building/repairing/enriching animal habitats. Candidates must be able to move 50 lb bags of feed and 50-80 lb bales of hay. The Large Animal Zookeeper is a more labor-intensive position than the Small Animal Zookeeper.
Animal Health Team
Animal Health Technicians are responsible for the daily monitoring of animal health. They perform physical exams on animals, administer medication and treatments, collect biological samples for parasite testing, and assist our attending veterinarian with diagnoses. They will also feed and bottle feed animals as needed. Veterinary technician background is preferred, but not required.
RANCH MAINTENANCE Team
Ranch Maintenance Technicians perform general maintenance and repair of equipment, fences, and buildings; operate and maintain equipment and vehicles; perform miscellaneous landscaping tasks; fill grain feeders and put out hay bales for exotic hoofstock; and more. This position works with Skills such as welding, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and running heavy machinery are a plus, but not a requirement.
MANAGEMENT
Managers are in place for each of the above teams. They oversee all employees on their team to ensure that all assigned tasks have been completed at the expected quality. They will be responsible for reassigning daily tasks in the event a team member is late or absent, as well as other scheduling and organizational duties. Managers must be extremely organized, have great people skills, and be very attentive to the animals and employees on the ranch. Prior leadership or managerial experience is required.
THE Requirements
Previous animal experience is preferred, but not required.
Read, comprehend, and complete daily to-do lists.
Show up to work every day you are scheduled, unless prior arrangements have been made with management.
Work a fixed weekly schedule for the majority of the time, but be available to switch shifts if another shift requires covering (with advanced notice).
Be physically able to work outdoors, even in inclement weather.
Valid driver's license and reliable mode of transportation to/from/within the ranch.
Carry a 50 lb. bag of feed. For Large Animal Team, must be able to move a bale of hay.
Must be willing to work some holidays.
Pass a background check.
THE PAY
The following are the *average* STARTING pay ranges we are willing to offer. There is always room to grow the longer you are a part of our team, the harder you work, and the more skills you exhibit. Employees can also be raised to a salary pay with paid time off based on performance. We will of course make exceptions to the starting pay ranges based on past work experience and skills.
Zookeeper: $10-15/hr
Ranch Maintenance: $15-20/hr
Animal Health Tech: $15+
Manager: $35,000+ annual salary with 2 weeks’ PTO
THE LOGISTICS
Day shift is 8:00AM - 5:00PM. Closing shift is 8:00PM - 10:00PM.
Full-time is 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. Part-time must be 16 hours minimum.
If a Mon-Fri schedule is requested, you must be willing to cover some weekends should a weekend employee need time off.
Priority is given to candidates who are willing to cover closing shifts (animal care positions only).
Priority is given to candidates who are willing to work either Thanksgiving or Christmas.
The Benefits
A 90-day waiting period applies.
Life insurance (100% employer-paid)
Disability (100% employer-paid)
Dental insurance (50% employer-paid)
Vision insurance (50% employer-paid)
Workers’ Compensation
Unlimited mobile phone plan with Verizon (100% employer-paid)
Various work apparel depending on the season
Employee discounts
Commission-based referral program
Paid time off (salaried employees only)
THE interview
If you have been invited to an onsite interview, click here for important information. You will need a password to access this page.
JOB APPLICATION
You must answer every question in full to be considered. We will text you if we wish to proceed with an onsite interview. Make sure to enter a phone number that is able to send and receive text messages.
***Don’t forget to email your resume to info@dragonstoneranch.com
Please message us on Facebook after submitting your application. Thank you!