Senior Primate Keeper

About the Sanctuary:

Peaceable Primate Sanctuary is an 80-acre facility dedicated to providing enriching retirement for primates from research labs and rescued from the pet and entertainment trades. With the first baboons arriving here in 2016, the sanctuary now houses over 150 primates (baboons, macaques, lemurs, marmosets, squirrel monkeys) and other animals such as genets, goats, and peafowl. Primate Keepers are responsible for day-to-day husbandry of these animals as well as assisting veterinary staff with medical care, educating the public through private tours, maintaining animal enclosures and sanctuary grounds, preparing diets for the primates, and more. Primate Keepers provide leadership to animal caretakers, interns, and volunteers to ensure all sanctuary residents are receiving the highest level of care.

Job Responsibilities:

• Monitor health, behavior, and general welfare of the primates and communicate observations to veterinary staff and supervisory team. Prepare and relay detailed reports of animal and enclosure conditions to Sanctuary Manager/Director.
• Make recommendations regarding animal care including diet changes, habitat design, training, enrichment, and related matters and take steps to implement improvements
• Maintain primate enclosures and holding areas through efficient sanitization, general maintenance, and daily safety checks.
• Make recommendations for improvements to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and create new protocols as needs arise.
• Develop and implement behavioral programs to train primates to voluntarily participate in daily husbandry and medical care. Lead fellow animal keepers to maintain and improve established behaviors.
• Complete routine veterinary care including but not limited to medication administration orally or via injection, safe capture, medical observations, etc. Coordinate directly with veterinary staff and supervisors to provide high-quality veterinary care to animals.
• Take active role in leadership by training, educating, and overseeing sanctuary employees, interns, and volunteers.
• Assign tasks and duties to animal keepers, interns, and volunteers to maintain high standards of animal care and supervise personnel to ensure standards are met.
• Educate the public and sanctuary personnel on proper husbandry and retirement of primates
• Complete any other tasks as assigned by Sanctuary Manager or as needed to ensure the proper and effective running of the sanctuary.

Job Requirements:

• High school diploma/GED is required
• Associate’s and/or Bachelor’s degree in associated field or equivalent animal care experience and/or relevant coursework is preferred
• Minimum 1-year professional experience with animals is required
• Experience with exotic animals, specifically primates, is preferred
• Ability to work well within a small team environment and possess the discipline to work individually with minimal supervision.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays as needed
• Proof of negative TB test required (can be completed after hiring)
• Must be over 18 years of age to apply

Job Benefits:

• Starting pay: $17/hour
• Health/Dental/Vision/Life insurance with 70% employer contribution
• Paid vacation time, sick leave, and holidays
• Consistent schedule (5 days on, 2 days off)
• Opportunities for travel and networking