ALYSSA SANDAGE
San Jose,CA
Summary
Animal care professional seeking curator role at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. Goal oriented hard worker with excellent time management and organizational skills. Known for reliability, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills. Passionate about providing support, leadership, and supervision to a team committed to providing the best care available to the animals.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Mammologist II
Monterey Bay Aquarium
03.2023 - Current
- Member of a team responsible for care and training of resident ex situ sea otters.
- Responsible for nutrition and diet preparation, exhibit maintenance, enrichment, planning and executing training sessions, and overall well being of animals in my care.
- Participated in capture and restraint of sea otters to anesthetize for medical exams.
- Identified illnesses and injuries and participated in care and treatment decisions with the veterinary team.
- Remain updated on current USDA and AZA standards to maintain the highest level of care.
- Participates in annual emergency evacuation review, AZA drills, and USDA inspections.
- Coordinated exhibit maintenance and repairs with onsite facilities teams.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new skills and techniques quickly and efficiently.
Trainer
Marine Mammal Physiology Project
02.2015 - 03.2023
- Member of a team responsible for care, training, and environmental maintenance of marine mammals participating in metabolic research.
- Experience training novel behaviors and maintaining existing behaviors through operant conditioning training techniques.
- Maintained accurate records for diets, weights, training sessions, and medical or data collection tasks in accordance with USDA and AAALAC requirements.
- Kept up with inventory of food, cleaning supplies, and other nescessary equipment so that items could be ordered in a timely manner.
- Wrote daily reports concerning updates on animal health, behavior, training, and staff progress.
- Responsible for maintaining volunteer shift schedules, monthly training plans, and monthly task calendars.
- Participated in planned and emergency animal transports as a driver, record keeper, and life support assistance for dolphins, seals, sea otters, and cockatoos. Coordinated with rental truck companies to secure vehicles for transports.
- Assisted in veterinary procedures including blood draws, x-rays, ultra sounds, and administration of medication both under restraint and voluntary participation.
- Identified illnesses and injuries and participated in care and treatment discussions and decisions with the veterinarian. Monitored effectiveness of medication through voluntary trained blood draws.
- Supervised, trained, and mentored over 40 volunteers hired to develop husbandry and training skills. Participated in interviews and the hiring process for all incoming paid and unpaid staff for five years of my tenure as a trainer. Assisted training new staff members on animal care tasks and operant training techniques.
- Led tours and educational demonstrations ranging from visiting families, to school children, to visiting researchers. Able to adjust information to reach all levels of interest.
- Designed and led summer camps through the Seymour Center with the Ocean Explorers Program. Supervised volunteers and interns from MMPP and the Seymour Center in camp activities.
Zookeeper- Part Time
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
03.2018 - 05.2021
- Prepared and provided diets, maintained clean enclosures, provided dynamic enrichment, and made behavioral observations for exotic and domestic animals in my care.
- Prepared and administered medications and treatments as prescribed by veterinarian.
- Maintained records, participated in emergency drills, and kept up exhibits in accordance with zoo safety rules and regulations all in accordance of AZA requirements.
- Reported, maintained, and repaired exhibits including fences, doors, hoses, latches, and other essential safety concerns of animal habitats.
- Gave public presentations on training demonstrations and enrichment displays.
Adventures - On Call
Monterey Bay Aquarium
06.2016 - 04.2020
- Delivered educational programming and offered logistical support during sleepover events.
- Resolved guest conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Regularly attended trainings on safety and positive guest interactions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA06.2016
Skills
- Dependable and responsible
- Efficient and organized with a focus on the big picture of organizational needs
- Strong leadership capabilities with years of supervisory experience
- Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships over multiple jobs and facilities
- Comfortable identifying problems and anticipating program needs
- Capable of handling a wide variety of exotic and domestic species
- Passionate about animal and staff welfare
- Wide knowledge of USDA and AZA standards
- Focused on safety with a precautions and preventative approach to exhibit design and maintenance
- Physically fit and able to enter animal enclosures and life 50 pounds
- First Aid/ CPR/ AED/ O2 certified
Timeline
Mammologist II
Monterey Bay Aquarium
03.2023 - Current
Zookeeper- Part Time
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
03.2018 - 05.2021
Adventures - On Call
Monterey Bay Aquarium
06.2016 - 04.2020
Trainer
Marine Mammal Physiology Project
02.2015 - 03.2023
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
University of California Santa Cruz
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