Care Technician II

Position Title: Care Technician II
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Position Reports to (Title): Director of Chimpanzee Behavior and Care, Chimpanzee
Care Manager, Section Curator
Full-time/Part-time: Full-time
Revision Date: January 11, 2020

Organizational Mission and History

Save the Chimps operates the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in the world. Located on nearly 150
acres on the Treasure Coast of Florida, the Sanctuary provides lifetime care and enrichment for
chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, entertainment, and the pet trade.

Today Save the Chimps is home to over 200 chimpanzees and has the current infrastructure to
potentially care for up to 300 individuals. The chimpanzees are cared for by approximately 60
professional caregivers and support staff, and the organization’s operating budget is approaching
$6M annually.

Position Overview
The Care Technician II (CT2) position is responsible for performing highly skilled physical and
mentally intensive tasks in the care and well-being of the chimpanzees. This is a full-time, non-
exempt position (40 hours per weeks). A CT2 is assigned to one of five sections within the
sanctuary, and works under the direct supervision of the Section Curator. A CT2 is responsible for
the safe, compassionate, and efficient operation of the care needs for the chimpanzee groups. A
CT2 is responsible for feeding, medicating, and observing the chimpanzees in their assigned
sections. A CT2 is also responsible for other husbandry duties such as cleaning, shifting, island
access, and enrichment. A CT2 must perform regular observations of the chimpanzees in their
section – both while the chimpanzees are inside the building and outside on the island. As such, the
CT2 must have a working knowledge of chimpanzee behaviors and be able to respond to disputes
by appropriately shifting and separating chimpanzees. A CT2 is responsible for daily record
keeping in the digital database (ZIMS). A CT2 is responsible for fostering a safe working
environment and the positive mentorship of CT1s in the section. Additionally, CT2s are responsible
for providing a safe working environment for the maintenance department to do repairs and oversee
all activities concerning the building they are working. CT2s are expected to act as friendly
ambassadors of the staff to sanctuary volunteers. CT2s are expected to know and be able to utilize
all radio calls. In essence, it is the responsibility of the CT2 to ensure that their assigned section is
safe, functional, and clean; and that the chimpanzees are receiving consistent and exemplary care.
A CT2 is required to work according to the Philosophy of Care and protocols as outlined in the
Save the Chimps Chimpanzee Care Manual.
The duties of the CT2 include, but are not limited to:

The following is a list of the essential functions of this position. This list is intended to be
representative of the tasks preformed within the position description but is not limited to:

Care Technician II Job Description

Deliver the prescribed diet to the chimpanzees.
Maintaining and logging building “side-work”.
Work according to written plans and protocols where they exist.
Participating in the operant conditioning of the chimpanzees.
Participating in the care and wellness assessments of individual chimpanzees.
Participate in regular safety drills.
Be ready to assist veterinary team when needed during procedures or recoveries from

procedures.
Accurate reporting of all information to all relevant parties (as defined in the Chimpanzee Care

Manual).
Uphold and defend the Code of Conduct (as defined in the Chimpanzee Care Manual).

Knowledge and Skills:

Must have a thorough knowledge of and a commitment to Save the Chimps, Inc.’s mission,

safety policies and caregiver operations
Must have the ability to interact with individuals at all levels of the organization, (i.e.

management, staff and peers)
The ability to work as a member of a team and share ideas and thoughts
Be able to work well under pressure and have the ability to multi-task when required

Education and Work Experience:

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred
A minimum of one (1) year experience with captive chimpanzees at Save the Chimps, or three

(3) years at other accredited facilities.
Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions;
Accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to perform tasks with accuracy and attention to detail

Environmental Requirements:

Tasks are regularly performed with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as
toxic/poisonous agents, dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise
extremes, machinery, vibrations, animals/wildlife.

Employees must not object to unpleasant chimpanzee behaviors include spitting of water or
saliva, throwing of feces, food or other waste, and chimpanzee displays that may include
banging, kicking of the fencing, and loud screams or hooting.

Retaliation and/or negativity towards the chimpanzees is not tolerated.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee
to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Care Technician II Job Description

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: stand for long periods of

time; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands
and arms; climb stairs, step stools, ladders; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and
hear; able to push and pull metal doors. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25
pounds and team lift in excess of 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the job include
close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability
to adjust focus.

Must be able to run and swim in the face of danger