Enclosure Maintenance Job Description
An enclosure scheduled for maintenance will be assigned daily by Maintenance Managers Jamie Veronica or Victor Alonso, or in their absence, the Operations Manager on duty.
Any questions regarding proper technique for repairing guillotine doors, enclosure structure or carpentry should be directed towards the Maintenance Manager. Tools or supplies required for such maintenance and repair can be acquired from the Maintenance Manager.
The entire maintenance of a two section enclosure should take no more than one day depending on the size of the enclosure and the amount of repair required.
Enclosures will be maintained using the following checklist:
Enclosure Maintenance Checklist
Ensure the animal is completely locked out of the side of the enclosure being worked on (pole, clip gate, and lock on guillotine door) or has been removed from the enclosure entirely.
Clear branches and other debris off the roof.
Check trees and branches growing through the roof. Re-patch if wire has separated from the tree/limb. If the tree/limb is pulling on wire cut free and re-patch.
Check bridges and reinforce any collapsing bridges.
Check hog rings on the entire cage. Tighten loose hog rings or replace missing hog rings.
Check the cage for holes and patch as needed.
Inspect wire for rust. Scrape loose rust away with brushes and paint rusty wire. Use paint and rollers for big jobs and spray paint for small touch ups and seams.
Check water bowls for leaks or rust and replace as needed. Add waterboxes as needed for extra water bowls so they are not sitting on the ground.
Sweep leaves and debris from beds, platforms and ramps.
Scrub dens, toys, platforms and ramps with a bleach water solution to remove dirt and mildew.
Check under platforms and ramps for wasps and spray nests with wasp spray.
Remove vines growing on walls and roof. (Leave vines growing on support columns in middle of cage)
Pull nuisance plants; caster plants (death plants), nightshade, bur plants, shepherd’s needle (white daisies with brown spiny burs), and poison ivy (use disposable gloves and do not get the oils from the plant on you, your clothing, or tools)
Leave saw grasses and other plants throughout the cage.
Remove saw grasses or plants growing along the walls, keeping walls clear at least a foot on either side of the wall. Weedeat along walls.
Weed eat or mow grass within the enclosure, but not too short that it is left all dirt.
Rake leaves, remove old enrichment.
Add fill dirt to low areas in the enclosure as needed.
Add sand to dens as needed.
Replace hay in the dens or add to it during the season.
Spread grass seed and water.
Check guillotine doors to ensure they are functioning properly. Check ropes for fraying. Report any issues you can’t fix on the Maintenance Log.
Check the food block or bowl, water bowl, and water tile for damage and replace as needed.
Add lime rock to the floor of the feeding lockout to cover the wire bottom.
Add limestone rocks under where the water bowl is tipped to prevent erosion.
Swap out toys (even if same sized toy, a new color should be swapped out)
Remove all garbage and tools once the project is completed.
In addition to this checklist you will be responsible for the following in or around the enclosure you are tasked with maintaining;
Repairing or upgrading guillotine doors, cables, or ropes
Repair or replacement of platforms and catwalks in the enclosure
Pressure washing platforms or dens as needed
Cleaning signage
Repairing or replacing barricades
Landscaping directly around the enclosures behind the barricades which includes mowing, weedeating, and trimming branches
Enclosures are scheduled to be maintained and maintenance is recorded on the Enclosure Maintenance Schedule:
An Operations Manager must assist in locking the cats away from you and giving them access when you are done. You are never to enter a cage, or cut a hole into the section, where the cat has not been secured away from by the Operations Manager.
This is the entirety of the job description and you will not be compensated for other maintenance done around the sanctuary unless your job description is changed, in writing, by the CEO or Maintenance Managers. You are assigned cages by Maintenance Managers Jamie Veronica or Victor Alonso, or in their absence, the Operations Manager on duty and report to the Maintenance Managers. Your job is in keeping the cages and the landscape inside them and directly around them in excellent condition.
This job requires a minimum of 40 hours per week and pays $10.00 per hour. You must be able to lift and carry heavy buckets of dirt, limerock, asphalt or sand weighing 60+ pounds as well as lift and move large tree limbs. Proper handling skills of a chain saw, pole saw, power tools, concrete mixer, tree lift, bobcat and large equipment are also necessary. As long as you are strong enough to do those things, we can teach you how.
Only if you really think you can do all this, apply to Cat@BigCatRescue.org
