Job Summary: Zoo Atlanta houses a diverse collection of birds and is seeking a dedicated and experienced animal care professional to join the Bird Team. Animal keepers are responsible for animal welfare and husbandry, including training and enrichment. Additionally, animal keepers are responsible for maintenance of habitats, holdings, and public areas as assigned. The Keeper I, II, and III will report to the area managers, with more advanced keeper levels expected to demonstrate increased independence, experience, and leadership within the department. Keeper III employees should be willing to serve as a point person in the absence of managers.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES, SKILLS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Must be willing to support Zoo Atlanta’s strategic plan, mission and values, and work with all zoo staff to support these plans.
- Maintain a high-performance level of excellent animal care.
- Participate in and support collaborative efforts pertaining to the care of the collection including training, enrichment, research, and education.
- Complete behavioral management training provided by Zoo Atlanta and utilize operant conditioning and enrichment techniques.
- Complete animal welfare training provided by Zoo Atlanta, participate in animal welfare assessments, and contribute to follow-through on animal welfare action items when necessary.
- Effectively monitor health and behavior of the animal collection and communicate changes to supervisor and veterinary staff.
- Oversee administration of medications as applicable.
- Actively support and implement area policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure the highest standards of care for the collection and the safety of staff and guests.
- Maintain the highest level of safety in the work area through implementation of safety protocols and procedures.
- Use positive interpersonal skills to form and maintain professional relationships within the work environment.
- Maintain a high-performance level of guest interactions, including scheduled on-ground talks.
- Positively promote and foster work that improves department function and productivity.
- Communicate effectively with supervisory staff and co-workers both written and orally.
- Write daily reports, logs, animal records, and other records as assigned.
- Coordinate and oversee activities of interns and volunteers as assigned.
- Responsible for special projects, procedures, and goals set forth by the area managers and proactively identify area needs and concerns as appropriate.
- Must be dependable and reliable: be timely, be responsive, be organized, meet deadlines, take responsibility, and help other zoo staff as needed.
- Employees must strive to decrease our environmental footprint to serve as models to our patrons to do the same through education and example.
- Must be able and willing to work flexible hours, weekends, and holidays.
- Must be able to be trained and carry pepper spray if working with dangerous animals.
- Must be willing to comply with department PPE policy.
- This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; therefore, the employee may be required to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by management.
Qualifications:
- Prior related animal care experience is strongly preferred.
- Experience with operant conditioning and enrichment techniques is preferred.
- Good communication skills, enthusiasm for interacting with the public, and a willingness to give regular talks to guests, special groups, and other audiences.
- Must have the ability to demonstrate focus, follow written and verbal instructions, effectively promote organization, manage stress to perform the job effectively, remember details, manage time effectively, apply critical thinking techniques, analyze, and solve problems.
- Demonstrate computer proficiency to complete the functions of this position.
- Must be able to use light power tools after suitable training.
- Actively assists others in expanding and developing their job knowledge.
- Demonstrates the ability to meet challenges with a solution-oriented approach.
- Takes action to advance and promote department function and productively motivates others to do the same.
- Highly proficient at communicating with supervisory staff and co-workers both written and orally.
- Serves as a resource for effective record keeping.
- Promotes communication and information sharing within the zoological community.
Keeper I
- Prior related animal care experience is strongly preferred.
- Paid experience at an AZA-accredited facility is preferred.
Keeper II
- A minimum of 3 years of prior related bird care experience, as determined by Zoo Atlanta, is required.
- Working knowledge of incubation, bird breeding, and rearing is required.
- Paid experience at an AZA-accredited facility is preferred.
Keeper III
- A minimum of 5 years of prior related animal care experience is required.
- Paid experience at an AZA-accredited facility is preferred.
- Must demonstrate the ability to work independently and serve as a resource to other team members.
- Demonstrates the ability to coordinate and supervise activities of interns and volunteers.
Education:
- Four-year degree in biology, psychology, or related field is preferred; sufficient relevant experience will be considered.
Driving Requirements:
- Must obtain and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license with a safe driving record.
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
- Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions and have the physical ability to perform strenuous work.
- Must be able to lift 30 pounds regularly and 50 pounds as needed.
- After being properly trained, keepers working with or around dangerous animals must be able to carry and utilize OC spray.
MISC:
- This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive.
- Therefore, the employee may be required to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or other management.
- The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties as business requirements dictate.
- It is mutually agreed that this job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
- Zoo Atlanta is an EOE and provides a Smoke-free and Drug-free Work Environment
Perks
- Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 403(b) Retirement Plan, 403(b) Employer Match, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, Tuition Assistance, Professional Development, Employee Discounts, Free Zoo Admission, Wellness Program
