Ambassador Animal Keeper I/II, Full Time

The Chattanooga Zoo looking for someone with an intense passion for working with animals and communicating with guests. The Ambassador Animal Keeper is responsible for the daily care of the animals in the Ambassador Animal area including the administration of regular food, water, and medications. This position will perform routine animal husbandry duties to maintain the care and wellbeing of ambassador animals and will also be responsible for training and enrichment with all animals in the area daily. Maintaining area compliance with USDA and AZA regulations and standards is also an important role.

Department Responsibilities:

• Monitors animal behavior routinely to ensure health and wellbeing.
  
• Provides appropriate food and water for each individual animal's needs.
• Administers routine medication to animals.
• Assists the veterinarian with medical treatments, physicals, and procedures as needed.
• Prepares and distributes animal enrichment items.
• Commence training programs.
• Works with animals in an area on training behaviors.
• Daily record keeping and data entry into ZIMs.
• Maintain zoo habitats. This may include cleaning, washing, mowing, trimming, and installing new fixtures in the enclosure.
• Interacts with zoo guests to answer questions, guide guests, administer first aid, or enforce zoo policies.
• Hold public animal chats, training and enrichment demos on the assigned schedule.
• Assist with animal meet and greets and animal encounters on a regular basis.
• Assists in area training for new employees
• Maintains area compliance with USDA and AZA regulations and standards.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in social science or related field
• One (1) year of paid animal care experience
• Strong public speaking skills
• Experience with an AZA accredited institution is preferred
• Any combination of equivalent education and experience to successfully perform the essential functions of the position will be considered

Work Schedule

• Keeper staff are required to work weekends and holidays as the animal care schedule necessitates

FULL-TIME BENEFITS

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Employer paid life and short-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off
• Seven paid holidays
• 401K and Roth IRA
• Company provided uniform shirts
• Opportunities for personal & professional development
• Opportunities for professional advancement
• Discounts for education programs, camp, facility rentals and special events
• The Friends of the Zoo, Inc (Chattanooga Zoo) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Zoo will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
• The Chattanooga Zoo has adopted a smoke-free campus to serve as a leader in promoting a healthy workplace and environment.
• The Chattanooga Zoo is a member of the Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace program.
• This position requires pre-employment screenings which will include: a drug screen, tuberculin skin test & background check.

Salary

• 14.00-16.25