Animal Keeper

The Animal Keeper position is located at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) at the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Washington, DC. The incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of duties that ensure the proper care, feeding, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of animals.

In this position, you will:

• Assist higher graded Animal Keepers in performing a variety of tasks associated with the proper care, feeding, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of while and exotic animals. 
• Clean animal enclosures by hosing, sweeping, scrubbing, raking, and removing manure, unconsumed food, and other refuse.
• Receives training and developmental assignments in the receipt, storage, inspection, inventory, preparation and issuance of food and dietary supplements, forage, and bedding materials. Unloads and stores food supplies. As instructed and under close supervision prepares animal diets according to standard procedures.
• Keeps service areas and adjacent public areas clean. 

Experience Required

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Requires the ability to catch and handle docile animals by hand or by using nets without injuring the animals or endangering oneself.
• Requires familiarity with a range of animal species in order to identify them by natural markings.
• Requires skill and ability to carry out routine animal keeper duties.
• Requires ability to understand instructions given by higher-level animal keeper personnel.

Further Comments

• This position is located at NZCBI Headquarters 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington DC 2008.
• It is accessible via mass transit, and onsite employee parking is currently available at no cost.
• What are Trust Fund Positions? Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian.
• They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts.
• Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status.
• The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side.
• Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance,
• Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian
• Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Perks

• Comprehensive Benefits Package

Salary

• $23.72 - $27.67 / hour