Come join Fairyland as an Animal Care Manager for a unique opportunity to use your experience both caring for animals while providing our visitors with a memorable experience! The Fairyland team is a diverse group of dedicated individuals committed to creating a magical fantasy world for young children to create, imagine, play, and learn!
A successful Animal Care Manager candidate has demonstrated knowledge and experience caretaking for large and small animal breeds including performing basic veterinary functions. Reporting to the Senior Director of Facilities, the Animal Care Manager oversees daily, animal-specific care, schedules and manages Animal Specialists, and maintains stock of various animal feeds, bedding, and tools. In addition, this role collaborates with our Education & Community Engagement department to develop age-appropriate curriculum for guests to learn about our animals in a fun and engaging way.
COVID-19 Update: In an effort to keep our visitors, staff, volunteers, and communities safe, Fairyland has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. In accordance with state and federal laws, Fairyland will consider all qualified applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation from our vaccination policy based on a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• At least two (2) years’ experience with animal husbandry and managerial skills
• At least one (1) years’ experience with managing at least two (2) direct reports
• Knowledge and ability to perform basic veterinary health and safety methods such as worming, first aid, inoculations, medication and grooming
• Knowledge of healthy animal nutrition, housing, and care for each species.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry practices and stays abreast of the most effective methods of animal care
• Be contagiously passionate about animals and be willing and able to learn
• Ability and experience to work with large animals (i.e. miniature donkeys, sheep and goats) as well as smaller animals (i.e. ducks, chickens, reptiles). Willingness to occasionally work with local wildlife.
• Calm demeanor essential to caring for animals such as sheep and donkeys
• Knowledge of healthy animal nutrition, housing, and care for each species.
• Comfortable working with groups of children
• Possess a clear background history with no barriers to working with children
• Possess a California’s Drivers’ License with an insurable driving record

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with larger animals such as equines
• Bachelor’s degree in animal sciences

Personal Attributes/Values

• People-orientation- able to interact effectively, politely, and productively with all types of people from all types of backgrounds and experience and in all types of situations. Comfortable working with non-English speaking and culturally diverse stakeholders
• Professional maturity to manage composure during stressful interactions
• Energetic, diplomatic, adaptable and with a good sense of humor.
• Passionate about the mission, vision, and goals of Fairyland and possess an understanding of how this position contributes to the organization’s success.
• Strong work ethic with an orientation toward process improvement.
• Impeccable integrity and honesty

Physical Requirements

This position is primarily located in an outdoor environment. Able to perform the following duties with or without accommodation:

• Stand, sit, kneel, walk, bend, and perform repetitive motions for the duration of an eight (8) hour shift
• Traverse safely over uneven terrain throughout the entirety of the 10-acre amusement park
• Safely lift and transport items of up to 50 lbs.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Respond quickly to sounds
• See and respond quickly to situations
• Communicate in clear, loud voice
• Operate two-radio for communications with park personnel
• Work in outdoor, seasonal weather conditions for 100% of shift
• Ability to work on weekends and holidays
• Proven track record of punctuality and attendance
• Current COVID-19 Requirements:
  • Ability to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination prior to start of employment;

Benefits & Compensation

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position scheduled Sundays-Thursdays. The rate of pay is $28.04 per hour. Full-time employees are eligible to participate in benefits the first of the month following 60 days of service. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage at 100% for employees
• Generous leaves of absence! Accrue up to 10 days of PTO in your first year AND separate paid sick leave bank of up to 10 days per year AND three floating holidays per year
• 401k plan available after 30 days of service
• Family membership to Fairyland or 6 guest passes annually
• Discounts on Fairyland merchandise and Café

How to join Team Fairyland

To apply for a position with Fairyland, please complete the application here. Due to the size of our operations, we are unable to take phone inquiries about positions.
Children's Fairyland fully and actively supports equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Our commitment applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We see candidates with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, community building, and meaningful connection with a broad range of people and institutions.

About Fairyland

Featured in the Wall Street Journal’s travel section on unique places to visit in Oakland and touted by Buzz Feed as “The Most Amazing Place to take Kids” in California, Children’s Fairyland is the first storybook theme park in America! In 1950, a group of visionary Oaklanders partnered with the city’s park superintendent and garnered support from enthusiastic citizens to build the outdoor 10-acre theme park on the shores of Lake Merritt in the heart of Oakland. Visited by Walt Disney as he was conceptualizing Disneyland, Fairyland has inspired many other fairytale-themed parks across the United States. Over 220,000 visitors enjoy Fairyland’s many activities and programs annually, and through our outreach program, free or reduced admission is offered to over 16,000 children and families every year. Fairyland operates 362 of 365 days a year, weather permitting.
Note: Children's Fairyland does not have the resources to sponsor visas, nor any open positions eligible for the H-1B program.