Summary: This full-time position encompasses skilled professional and technical work in the routine daily care of assigned animals, enclosures, and related facilities of the bird department. Duties may include related tasks and/or unrelated duties as assigned.
Representative Duties include:
- Clean animal displays, holding areas, service areas, public sections and grounds
- Complete inspection of all enclosures to ensure the safety of the animals
- Identify maintenance issues and correct or repair each as required, reporting non-correctable maintenance issues, including potential safety hazards, to a supervisor
- Observe general animal health and behavior, on a daily basis, and report any abnormal circumstances to a supervisor
- Maintain records of health, behavior, enrichment, operant conditioning and visitor engagement
- Prepare and follow prescribed diets and feeding procedures for the animal collection
- Perform operant conditioning and enrichment programs in assigned areas
- Instruct new personnel in the proper methods of animal care and handling consistent with approved policies and procedures
- Assist in the training, supervision, evaluation of volunteers, interns, and vocational students, as needed
- Assist animal health and curatorial staff with animal handling, capture, restraint, transport and medication administration
- Develop and support visitor engagement programs
- Interact with guests and Zoo staff in a professional and courteous manner
- Make decisions consistent with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden policies and procedures when required
- Perform daily duties in all sections of assigned department as required
- Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor
Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:
- The ideal candidate will have demonstrated knowledge and successful experience in animal husbandry, operant conditioning, and understanding of modern zoological practices pertaining to birds; 2 years of paid experience with various avian taxa in an AZA accredited facility within the last 5 years is required.
- Applicants must have knowledge of bird husbandry, including feeding and nutrition, common bird diseases, capture and restraint, and knowledge of basic biology.
- Hand-rearing experience with psittacines and penguins is preferred.
- Operant conditioning experience with multiple avian taxa preferred.
- Successful applicants will actively demonstrate the Zoo’s core values and behaviors, as well as demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving processes, while applying good judgment, to deliver animal care and guest experiences that meet the highest standards.
- The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers (includes staff, interns, students, and volunteers) is important to possess within a successful applicant.
- Candidate must be comfortable with guest interactions and in delivering public presentations.
Working Conditions:
- Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment drug & nicotine screen & background check, and a TB test.
- While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; bend; climb or balance; lift, grasp; and negotiate stairs and ladders.
- In addition, the employee may be exposed to Zoonosis, chemicals, and outside weather conditions; Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance; must possess a valid driver’s license (and insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle).
Position Details & Benefits
- This is a full-time (40 hours per week with benefits) keeper position, which is subject to the successful completion of a probationary period and the deduction of union dues.
- Regular days off will be Tues/ Wed but subject to change based on the current team member schedule changes during this process.
- Starting pay range is between 21.73 - 25.75 determined by years of field experience.
- Intentional professional development opportunities, for both animal care and "people” skills.
- We offer a highly competitive benefits package supporting our employees’ Total Well-Being, including comprehensive & affordable medical, dental & vision coverage (starting the first day of the month following date of hire); free mental health counseling, Employee Assistance Programs, 401(k) plan with company match; flexible spending accounts; generous paid time off (200 PTO hours accrued throughout the first year of service, 80 of which is loaded into the PTO bank upon hire); company-paid disability & life insurance; park discounts and free passes.
- Please apply via our online application on our website at http://cincinnatizoo.org/about-us/job-opportunities/. Cover letter and resume should be included in your online application.
- Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so please apply soon!
Perks
- Full Benefits
