The Elephant Sanctuary in TN is celebrating 30 years of providing elephants with care, the companionship of a herd, and the opportunity to live out their lives in a safe haven dedicated to their well-being. We are seeking a qualified and experienced candidate to assist with the development and management of the elephant program with emphasis on bull elephants. This is a dedicated position focusing on the expansion of the organization’s capability to care for male and female African and Asian elephants in optimal conditions.  This is a full-time position based on site working with the team and elephants in Hohenwald, TN.

Providing home, herd, and care for life

The intent of the elephant care program is to improve the lives of elephants.  We strive to improve our care and expand opportunities to support resident elephants to be autonomous and confident.   

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Expand organizational capacity and scope to include a successful bull management program.
• Develop a well-rounded balanced team supporting all aspects of daily and year-round elephant and facility/habitat care
• Provide best possible elephant care in balance with lifelong care challenges for older elephants.
• Encourage resident elephant autonomy, minimize dependency and intervention by caregivers, increase elephant social opportunity.
• Expand overall elephant care team bench strength, flexibility and versatility
• Develop and promote the Sanctuary’s elephant care model and leadership.
• Expand Caregiver training to include bull elephant care and social management with focused planning on herd integration.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner with the Senior (Snr) Manager of Elephant Care and Elephant Program Managers and Veterinary Services as part of the overall Elephant Care team
• Oversee the Bull program and assist Elephant Care Managers, Specialists and Caregivers
• Manage and oversee the daily care of the bulls, elephants, habitats and barns using Protected Contact techniques
• Develop, train and lead the elephant care teams with Snr. Manager of Elephant Care.
• Provide consistent backup and serve as a reliable resource for Snr. Manager of Elephant Care, across the department
• Develop framework, safety protocols and reporting to help ensure organizational compliance with regulatory agencies and membership organizations.
• Represent the Sanctuary in external professional conferences, meetings and international partner projects with relevance to elephant care.
• Promote Sanctuary mission, values and programs to foster organizational culture and promote sanctuary for elephants

REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge of and experience with elephant husbandry, and specifically bull husbandry, training, socialization, natural history, and personnel safety for elephants in protected contact.
• Six or more years’ experience working with bull elephants in Protected Contact management
• Three or more years’ experience as a team leader or managing supervisor
• Effective and respectful communication skills
• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred
• Farm and barn equipment operation experience preferred
• Elephant transport and planning experience ideal
• Must have valid drivers license