An Animal Keeper possesses a proven working knowledge of animal husbandry, a strong conservation ethic, exceptional interpersonal skills and strong leadership abilities to provide high quality care for assigned areas.
QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES
- There is an Animal Keeper position available in the African Elephant Crossing area of the zoo.
- The person will primarily work as an elephant keeper but will also work with African birds, meerkats, naked mole rats, and a rock python.
- The person accepting this position needs to be skilled in dealing with certain area specific responsibilities that include:
- husbandry knowledge specific to this area, learning all aspects of the area’s Standard Operating Procedures, the Elephant Management Guidelines and be willing to be trained on the operation of a skid steer.
- The person taking this position is also subject to 6 month performance and safety evaluations to progressively attain skill levels.
- The person working in this area will be expected to work effectively in a close team environment, adhere to all guidelines, and support the philosophy designed to make the elephant program successful.
- The elephant program specifically focuses on:
- Keeper safety, increased elephant activity and social integration, improved elephant participation in training sessions, increased public interaction and elephant reproductive assessments.
HUSBANDRY
- Provides food, water, medications, and supplements as indicated by schedules, prescriptions, or diet boards. To include loading and unloading animal feeds, hay, bedding, and animal care supplies.
- Completes and reviews daily activity reports, diet consumption reports, behavior and/or training records, enrichment records, or any other written documentation on assigned animals.
- Cleans, maintains, and disinfects animal enclosures and service areas.
- Observes individual animals daily and reports animal behavior, appearance, fecal conditions, and unique characteristics.
- Performs proper restraint techniques for crating, transferring, or veterinary procedures.
- Monitors, reports, and performs pest control in assigned areas.
- Prepares and continually enhances animal areas for aesthetic, reproductive, behavior, and animal safety (i.e. perching material, nest boxes, “furniture”, live or artificial plants, etc…).
- Samples and records water analysis.
- Provides continual environmental enrichment by approved methods.
- Trains assigned animals for husbandry and enrichment.
- Responds to hazardous or potentially unsafe situations by taking corrective action and promptly notifying supervisory staff.
CONSERVATION and SCIENCE
- Participates in ex situ and/or in situ conservation initiatives (i.e., studbooks, field research, public education, marketing, etc.)
- Supports, accommodates, and/or participates in on-ground research initiatives (i.e., research proposal review, assist outside researchers, systematic record-keeping, behavior observations, literature searches, presentations to staff/volunteers, data or sample collections, etc.)
- Possesses knowledge of research and conservation initiatives in nature and in zoos.
- This may include Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s involvement, AZA’s, or any organization within his or her area of interest or expertise.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
- Communicates regularly with peers and managers concerning matters of animal care, safety, and work schedules.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers (i.e. keepers, education, maintenance, marketing, volunteers) and the public.
- Understands and follows verbal and written instructions.
- Demonstrates initiative, dependability, teamwork, resourcefulness, good judgment, a positive attitude, and common sense.
- Voices concerns constructively.
- Participates in available task forces.
OTHER FUNCTIONS
- Works assigned shifts any day of the week with varying days off.
- Performs related duties as apparent or assigned
- Reports maintenance issues through the use of work orders.
- Attends scheduled meetings.
- Operates a motor vehicle and other mechanical tools and equipment (i.e. hand tools, computers, incubators, etc...).
- Assist in the training of seasonal employees.
- Supports the mission statement of the zoo and established animal care programs.
- Carries out duties and responsibilities in a safe and efficient manner to maintain a safe work environment and surrounding area for oneself, animals, co-workers, and public.
Experience Required
- High School Diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in animal sciences or related field preferred.
- Two years full time experience with captive exotic animals, six months if possess a Bachelor’s degree.
- Demonstrated education, training and experience supporting the Essential Functions (listed above).
- Demonstrated ability to work in hot or cold weather, dusty, wet, and odorous conditions.
- Must be able to maneuver 75 pounds.
- Possess a valid Ohio Driver’s License.
WORK DAYS:
- Saturday,
- Sunday,
- Monday,
- Tuesday
CURRENT DAYS OFF:
- Wed,
- Thurs,
- Friday
FILING DEADLINE:
- 02/28/2025
Salary
- $30.80 per hour with a $0.50 increase each six months until achieving the wage rate of $32.30 per ho
