Center for Great Apes · Florida · posted yesterday
Great Ape Caregiver Orangutan & Chimpanzee Caregiver Center for Great Apes | Wauchula, Florida Have you ever imagined a career where your work makes a difference in the lives of chimpanzees and orangutans? At the Center for Great Apes, that's exactly what we do every day. We are looking for dedicated, compassionate, and hardworking individuals to join our team as Great Ape Caregivers. The Center for Great Apes is a nonprofit sanctuary providing lifetime care to rescued chimpanzees and orangutans. Our residents have unique personalities, individual needs, and incredible stories. They depend on a committed team of caregivers to provide a safe, enriching, and healthy environment where they can thrive. This isn't your typical animal care job. It's an opportunity to build a meaningful career working with some of the most intelligent and fascinating animals on the planet. What Makes This Opportunity Special? Imagine spending your workday observing chimpanzees and orangutans, learning their individual personalities, developing enrichment activities, and helping provide the care they deserve. As a Great Ape Caregiver, you will: • Make a Difference Every Day: Provide daily care that directly impacts the health, happiness, and well-being of rescued chimpanzees and orangutans. • Learn from Incredible Animals: Develop an understanding of great ape behavior, communication, social relationships, and individual personalities. • Get Creative: Design and implement enrichment activities that encourage natural behaviors, problem-solving, and mental stimulation. • Build Specialized Skills: Gain hands-on experience in great ape husbandry, behavioral observation, positive reinforcement training, and animal welfare. • Be Part of Something Bigger: Join a team of professionals who share a commitment to providing exceptional lifetime care for great apes. What Will You Actually Do? Great ape caregiving is rewarding, but it is also physically demanding, detail-oriented work. Your responsibilities will include: • Preparing and providing specialized diets to meet the nutritional needs of our residents. • Cleaning and maintaining habitats, enclosures, and animal care areas. • Observing and documenting ape behavior, social interactions, appetite, and overall health. • Creating and implementing enrichment activities that encourage natural behaviors. • Learning and following detailed safety procedures, including animal shifting and lock-check systems. • Supporting positive reinforcement training and behavioral management programs. • Maintaining accurate daily records of animal care, feeding, behavior, and habitat conditions. • Assisting the veterinary team with medical procedures and treatments as directed. • Working closely with fellow caregivers, supervisors, and other departments to provide consistent, high-quality care. Every task matters. From preparing meals and cleaning habitats to observing subtle changes in behavior, your attention to detail contributes directly to the quality of life of the apes in our care. Who Are We Looking For? We want people who are dependable, observant, safety-conscious, eager to learn, and committed to being part of a team. Our ideal candidate: • Has a genuine passion for animal welfare. • Understands that exceptional animal care requires consistency, patience, and hard work. • Takes pride in doing things correctly, even when no one is watching. • Has strong communication skills and works well with others. • Can follow detailed procedures and understands the importance of safety. • Is curious, motivated, and eager to develop new skills. • Respects animals as individuals and recognizes the importance of allowing them to make choices. • Maintains a positive, professional attitude, even during challenging days. Education and Experience • Two years of experience in animal husbandry. • A minimum of two years of college coursework in an animal-related field. • Strong written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to accurately follow instructions and maintain detailed records. • Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays. Experience in zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, veterinary facilities, or other professional animal care environments is particularly relevant. Working with great apes means being active and working outdoors in Florida's changing weather conditions. Candidates must be able to: • Routinely lift and carry up to 50 pounds for short distances. • Climb ladders up to 20 feet for cleaning. • Work outdoors for extended periods in heat, humidity, and rain. • Stand, crouch, kneel, bend, and reach throughout the workday. • Follow strict safety procedures and maintain awareness of their surroundings. Why Join the Center for Great Apes? Because you want your career to mean something. Here, success isn't measured only by the tasks you complete. It's measured by the care, consistency, respect, and dedication you bring to the animals who depend on us. You will have the opportunity to develop specialized animal care skills, work alongside dedicated professionals, and contribute to a mission that makes a lasting difference. The apes come first. And it takes an extraordinary team to give them the lives they deserve. Ready to Make a Difference? If you're passionate about animals, committed to learning, and ready for a career that is both challenging and rewarding, we encourage you to apply. The Center for Great Apes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds and provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable law.
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