The Oregon Zoo is looking for a Variable Hour Employee to join the Family Farm animal care team. This position will include direct animal husbandry duties in the Family Farm and presenting formal and informal educational live-animal programs to a wide variety of audiences, with a particular focus on younger guests. This role requires excellent communication and critical thinking skills. The Family Farm team fosters meaningful connections between people and wildlife, inspiring conservation action through educational animal experiences.
Tentative VHE schedule
- April 1 – September 30: 30-40 hours per week
- September 30 – March 31, 2027 variable hours
- As a Family Farm VHE you will
- Present engaging and inspirational education programming to a variety of audiences using effective storytelling techniques. Presentations may include animal encounters, goat interaction yard facilitation, media appearances, public events, and other zoo-related programming.
- May handle and train the Family Farm animal species under care for programs using operant conditioning techniques. Follow appropriate presentation methods for animals used in educational settings.
- Perform day-to-day husbandry as required for species under care, including maintaining standards of care as outlined by area curator, creating and providing behavioral enrichment, and complying with record keeping protocols.
- Perform animal feeding duties such as preparing prescribed diets and reporting on food consumption; may administer prescribed medications and follow veterinarian orders for care.
- Perform daily care and maintenance of enclosures, food and water receptacles; check condition of animal environments to assess security and safety of animals; alert supervisor and initiate corrective actions as needed.
- Observe animals to identify normal and abnormal behavior, health problems, adjustments to diet, and changes or response to medication. Identify and report concerns to area supervisor.
- Maintain care standards and comply with all USDA and AZA rules, regulations, and guidelines; work in compliance with safety rules, OSHA standards, work rules, and zoo area policies and procedures.
- Document supply needs and work with supervisor to acquire items used for the area’s daily operations of animal care, training, and educational programming.
- Assist the public and other employees in a professional and courteous manner.
- Follow both written and verbal instructions.
- Effectively communicate to area managers, team members, other zoo departments and guests.
Attributes for success
- Ability to communicate ideas effectively before groups of all sizes and backgrounds.
- Knowledge of animal husbandry and presentation techniques for a wide variety of domestic and exotic animal species.
- Ability to maintain comprehensive and accurate records.
- Comfort and experience working around animals
- Ability to work well independently and function as a team member.
- Ability to learn prescribed routines quickly and work without close supervision.
- Ability to perform essential duties, which may include lifting up to 50 pounds and working outside in all weather conditions.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
- At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.
- Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan
TO QUALIFY
- We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
- Minimum qualifications
- Associate’s degree in biology, zoology, or a related field; AND
- Two years of related experience; OR
- Any combination of experience, education and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential job duties.
- Working Conditions
- Duties may require prolonged strenuous efforts in hazardous locations, contaminated areas, enclosed spaces, at heights, under inclement weather, and in proximity to dangerous animals and other adverse conditions. Frequent reaching, walking, standing, lifting, stooping, or carrying of equipment and materials may be required. There may be frequent interruptions or irregularities in the daily work routines.
- If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply
- If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
Like to have qualifications
- You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.
- Experience with animal husbandry in a zoo setting.
- Experience with domestic goats, small domestic mammals, tortoises, and/or ball pythons.
- Additional education in biology, zoology, or a related field.
- Experience in connecting young guests with animals and conservation themes.
SCREENING AND EVALUATION
- The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.
- A completed online application
- A cover letter detailing why you are interested in this position
- Responses to supplemental questions
- The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.
- Initial review of minimum qualifications
- In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
- Consideration of top candidates/interviews
- Testing/assessments (if applicable)
- Reference check
- Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)
REPRESENTATON
- This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580 It is classified as an Education Technician.
- Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.
- Questions?
- Recruiter: Christina Rentas
- Email: christina.rentas@oregonmetro.gov
Salary
- $31.20 Hourly
