Erin Hoff

Experience

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  Brigham Young University Hawaii

  Oct 2010 - Apr 2014

  Biology mentored researcher

  -Designed and carried out personal and departmental research with a mentor to consult with and report to-Discovered a probable new sabellid polychaete species-Presented personal research findings at two professional scientific conferences

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  Greensboro Science Center

  Sept 2014 - Nov 2014

  Zoo Intern

  •Daily husbandry of primates and procyonids•Assisted in daily husbandry of farm hoofstock•Designed and built a bamboo puzzle feeder and recorded animals’ responses •Adhered to quarantine protocols and introduced a new animal to an established pair•Observed animals to understand frequently changing social structures in a mixed species lemur exhibit•Modified and arranged exhibits and cut, transported, and installed perching•Took notes during veterinary operations, conducted medical treatments, kept medical logs•Observed lemur surgery, chicken and sloth necropsy, and dart gun handling for code response•Attended classes on AZA and animal welfare, animal capture and restraint, exhibit design, and browse•Observed cownose ray rinses in fresh water Show less

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  PetSmart

  Nov 2014 - May 2015

  Pet Care Associate

  •Duties included: feeding animals, cleaning and setting up tanks and exhibits, checking for signs of disease daily, taking animals to the vet when needed, administering medication, keeping thorough medical logs, and assisting customers.I maintained 100 fresh water fish tanks and 65 habitats.

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  Ruff Housing

  Nov 2014 - May 2015

  Playroom Attendant and Lodging Assistant

  •Interacted with canines of all sizes and breeds, providing mental and emotional stimulation•Conducted training sessions with individual dogs and with multiple dogs simultaneously in a group•Performed physical exams, documented urinations and defecations, kept medical and behavioral logs •Prevented and ended fights, attended to individual animal needs, worked inside and outside year-round

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  Denver Zoological Foundation

  May 2015 - Sept 2015

  Animal Care Intern - Toyota Elephant Passage

  •Daily husbandry of pachyderms, herptiles, primates, aves, felids, and mustelids •Worked on a dynamic team with 16 keepers•Safely shifted animals through hydraulic doors in a complex, 10 acre, rotational exhibit by utilizing communication, teamwork, and keen observation•Independently conducted training sessions with Malayan tapir, Indian rhinoceros, common hippopotamus, and clouded leopards through operant conditioning with positive reinforcement•Enhanced guest experience by informally answering questions and providing behind the scenes tours•Presented keeper talks on a microphone during animal demonstrations to large audiences•Attended meetings on behavioral husbandry, training philosophy, animal management, disease control•Wrote accurate behavioral and husbandry related animal records in TRACKS and on paper copies•Monitored growth and development of otter pups•Collected urine and fecal samples, measured elephant body temperature, bathed rhinos and elephants•Recorded pathology notes during lion necropsy and observed emu necropsy•Observed rhino artificial insemination and electroejaculation, pachyderm blood draws and radiographs, and elephant footwork, tusk cap application, semen collection, trunk washes, and chute training•Trained and instructed volunteers Show less

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  Greensboro Science Center

  Sept 2015 - May 2016

  Aquarist

  •Daily husbandry of various Amazonian/Caribbean/Indo-Pacific fish including sharks, rays, and eels, an octopus, small marine invertebrates, and jellyfish•Monitored aquatic conditions for penguins, otters, fishing cats, turtles, fish, invertebrates•Participated in regular preventative maintenance of life support systems through backwashes and cleaning filter socks, pump baskets, protein skimmers, etc. •Produced saltwater, collected exhibit water samples, and ran water quality tests utilizing equipment such as a spectrometer and refractometer•Maintained exhibit cleanliness through water changes, scrubbing, siphoning, and gravel vacuuming •Conducted training sessions with spotted eagle ray and southern stingray•Administered enrichment to octopus and monitored behavioral and cognitive responses•Anesthetized animals, measured and recorded ray morphometrics, prepared and administered vitamins and medications, trimmed ray barbs, assisted with fresh water rinses, radiographs, clearnose skate ultrasounds, eel surgery, cold laser therapy, suture replacement, tube feeding, necropsies, and euthanizations•Rehabilitated cold stunned green sea turtles for release back into the ocean•Administered medicated gel series to new fish in quarantine •Participated in animal capture, restraint, and transfer•Maintained hatcheries of live brine•Acted as DPIC, designated person in charge, to be a first responder in case of diving emergencies•Red Cross certified and prepared to utilize first aid, CPR, and an AED•Dove with surface supplied air for routine maintenance of the shark reef tank and to give underwater presentations to guests outside of the exhibit through a microphone in a full face mask•Acted as a stand by diver, communicating with and supervising the diver and monitoring their air supply•Maintained detailed records on daily husbandry and medical events•Adhered to safety protocols, responded to codes, involved in drills•Trained and instructed volunteers and interns Show less

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  Ruff Housing

  Jan 2016 - Apr 2016

  Playroom Attendant

  •Interacted with canines of all sizes and breeds, providing mental and emotional stimulation•Conducted training sessions with individual dogs and with multiple dogs simultaneously in a group•Prevented and ended fights, attended to individual animal needs, worked inside and outside year-round

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  Aquarium of the Pacific

  Jun 2016 - Aug 2017

  •Daily husbandry of sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters and occasionally assisted with bird husbandry•Examined and sorted fish for marine mammals, penguins, and alcids, make enrichment, and keep records•Assisted in diet preparation for shorebirdsand alcids •Participated in socialization of gillemot chicks•Observed sea lion and sea otter training•Free fed harbor seals and conducted operant conditioning training sessions with positive reinforcement•Provided keeper talks on microphone during pinniped training presentations to large audiences•Attended internal training on animal management, aggression, and operant conditioning principles•Selected to be a point person in charge of running the day and ensuring that all tasks are completed properly Show less

  • Husbandry Volunteer - Marine Mammals

    Sept 2016 - Aug 2017

  • Mammalogy Intern

    Jun 2016 - Sept 2016
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  Los Angeles Zoo

  Sept 2016 - Apr 2017

  Education Specialist

  •Feed goats and sheep and walk sheep while utilizing operant conditioning training •Supervise guest interactions with goats and sheep in the petting zoo•Provide interpretation and answer guests’ questions at various exhibits throughout the zoo•Monitor orangutan behavior while on exhibit and communicate with keepers about observations•Provide presentations on and off microphone about various species•Facilitate play and interactive learning and teach guests how to interpret nature on their own•Conduct giraffe feeding programs for guests and assist with behind the scenes hippo encounters Show less

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  Rainforest Cafe

  Sept 2016 - Aug 2017

  Animal Care Specialist - Avian/Aquarist

  •Daily husbandry of macaws, a cockatoo, and tropical fish•Prepare/administer diets, weigh and shower birds, conduct operant conditioning training, keep records•Clean habitats, install and rearrange perching/toys, design and build enrichment items•Perform five bird training presentations on stage and microphone daily in Downtown Disney while providing educational information about the birds and sharing a rainforest conservation message •Lead informative tours about various species and present bird demonstrations for private groups •Dive in fish tanks for routine cleaning, spot divers, prepare diets, feed fish, monitor and maintain life support systems, mix salt water, conduct water changes, dose tanks, test water quality, quarantine fish •Represent the habitats department in monthly meetings to improve efficiency and guest experiences Show less

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  California Science Center

  Feb 2017 - Oct 2021

  •Maintain keeper responsibilities with the entire terrestrial animal collection totaling over 60 species•Conduct animal training sessions, develop training plans, pass off established behaviors to others, and train useful husbandry behaviors (crate, voluntary nail trim)•Assist in veterinary procedures, provide medical treatments, and continually assess welfare•Modify and update routine keeper tasks, SOPs, and emergency protocols •Participate in exhibit renovation and fabrication projects including planting live vegetation into exhibits•Develop the animal ambassador program by suggesting new species and assist with acquiring specimens•Assist with the procurement of supplies and equipment, make purchases, and file expense reports•Installed and organized white boards in back of house areas to serve as visual management tools•Improved our volunteer program by writing an informational handbook, revising the interview process and updating/expanding questions asked, creating a system for documenting incidents, taking disciplinary actions, providing feedback and evaluations, conducting annual reviews, and streamlining communication methods•Oversee assigned areas daily to ensure that related projects are progressing toward goals and objectives•Lead/supervise the daily activities of keepers while acting as a role model through positive behavior •Wrote and implemented reviews by keepers of leadership staff (seniors/manager)•Initiated bi-monthly workshops in which I lead my team in various improvement activities•Help develop a fun, supportive, compassionate, teamwork-oriented environment with positive work/life balance•Attend conferences, completed courses on animal welfare and zoonotic disease, and attended trainings on LEAN Process and leadership•Conduct interviews and aid in selecting candidates for open jobs and volunteer positions•Collaborated with the SEA Lab in plant restoration projects for the endangered El Segundo blue butterfly Show less •Daily husbandry of the center’s vast terrestrial animal collection consisting of mammals, aves, herpetofauna, and invertebrates amounting to over 50 species•Service on- and off-exhibit holding areas, monitor and adjust habitat parameters, prepare and administer diets and enrichment, monitor animal behaviors, conduct animal training•Observe veterinary procedures, prepare and administer medications, weigh animals, monitor health•Keep thorough records in Tracks, attend meetings, instruct volunteers, maintain back-of-house areas•Abide by quarantine protocols and set up and break down enclosures•Conduct behind-the-scenes tours, give classroom presentations, and provide regular keeper talks utilizing inquiry-based methods with ambassador animal meet and greet opportunities•Secondary keeper assigned to oversee the enrichment committee•SWARM (Safety Web for Arthropod Reproduction and Management) leader working to promote husbandry, breeding, and sustainability for emperor scorpions •Co-authored an article about chuckwallas for the AASAG newsletter, 2018 Show less

  • Senior Keeper and Terrestrial Husbandry Volunteer Coordinator

    Aug 2018 - Oct 2021

  • Keeper

    Feb 2017 - Aug 2018
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  Kansas City Zoo

  Oct 2021 - now

  • Animal Care Manager - Ambassador Animals

    Apr 2023 - now

  • Animal Care Team Lead - Shows/Ambassador Animals

    Oct 2021 - Apr 2023