Elephant Specialist
Job Title: Elephant Specialist
Department: Wildlife
Reports To: Animal Collections Manager
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Effective Date: September 2025
White Oak conserves and sustains some of the earth's rarest wild animals through innovative training, research, education, and conservation breeding programs that contribute to the survival of wildlife in nature. The conservation programs span 600 acres along the St. Mary’s River in northeast Florida, surrounded by 22,000 acres of mixed forest and wetlands that make up the beautiful White Oak property. Founded in 1982, White Oak leads professional efforts to improve veterinary care, develop holistic animal management techniques, and better understand the biology of critically endangered species by providing excellent care and managing conservation programs for over 30 species of imperiled wildlife in large, naturalistic habitats.
White Oak Mission:
Saving endangered wildlife and habitats through sustainable populations, expanding education initiatives, and responsible land stewardship.
Job Summary:
The Elephant Specialist delivers exceptional, safe elephant care to advance White Oak’s elephant conservation programs. This position contributes directly to the White Oak Conservation mission by supporting the elephant husbandry program.
Essential Duties:
o Participates in the daily care of the animals in designated area, to include feeding, cleaning, medicating, training, enrichment, and record keeping activities.
o Participates with hand rearing, animal transfers, introductions, operant conditioning, and area research projects.
o Trains new behaviors with elephants in protected contact system.
o Participates in advanced elephant husbandry practices such as footcare, blood collections, and semen collections.
o Participates with the elephant health team to conduct elephant medical procedures and treatments.
o Notifies supervisor of supplies, tools and equipment needed in the elephant area.
o Performs animal care facilities maintenance to include mowing, weed-eating, pressure washing, dirt and substrate work, gate adjustments, lock lubrication, limb pick up, and other minor repairs.
o Maintains records and reports related to the elephant collection.
o Maintains, cleans, and organizes work and break areas, food storage, food prep, vehicles, and equipment.
o Participates with intern training including animal husbandry and management, record keeping, research, conservation, and education projects.
o Maintains the highest level of safety in the workplace through staff training and implementation of safety protocols and procedures.
o Possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, professional colleagues, and the public, both in person and through phone, e-mail, and written correspondence.
o Handles multiple tasks simultaneously; works in an environment subject to constant interruptions and quickly changing priorities; prioritizes responsibilities and performs effective time-management.
o Operates small equipment and farm machinery, as needed.
The above cited duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to the job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that an incumbent may be expected or asked to perform.
Education and Work Experience Requirements:
• High School Diploma or equivalent required; Associate or bachelor’s degree in animal science, wildlife management, biology, or a related field, preferred.
• Minimum of two years’ husbandry experience with large ungulates, elephant husbandry experience, preferred.
• Experience operating small equipment and farm machinery desired – mowers, weed-eaters, pressure washer, tractor or skid steer loader, utility/stock trailers, preferred.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
• Engagement and genuine alignment with the mission, values, and vision of White Oak.
• Personal interest in, and strong commitment to, conservation, animal care and animal health.
• Capacity to work effectively with, and collaborate across, multiple organizational teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively in dynamic conditions.
• Adaptability to constantly changing routines and circumstances.
• Ability to learn skills, such as operant conditioning, land management, and sample handling.
• Self-motivated and self-directed.
• Effective communication skills.
• Welcoming, personable, and encouraging.
• Capable and knowledgeable decision making; shows good judgement.
• Sets positive example, good conduct (e.g. safety, animal care, communication).
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Interest in participating and advancing in all aspects of the job.
• Sensitive to individual differences and supportive of all team members.
• Resilient, shows initiative, and demonstrates a healthy commitment to going above and beyond.
• Focuses on team success and defines success collaboratively versus individually.
• Able to work with colleagues in mind, be a good listener, and be willing to seek information and assistance when necessary.
Physical Requirements, Hazards, and Special Working Conditions:
• Must have valid Florida or Georgia drivers’ license.
• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects.
• Work involves some use of a 5-foot ladder.
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Exposure to fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts and vehicles.
• Work a flexible schedule which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays as well as unforeseen emergency situations.
White Oak Conservation is committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are welcome, and to nurturing a culture where everyone feels valued and appreciated. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law.
