This position is responsible for supervising the keeper staff assigned to this area, monitoring and performing husbandry, and coordinating activities with other departments within Animal Programs. Specific animals in this area will include Okapi, Bongo, Squirrel Monkey, Orangutan, Red Panda, Colobus, Jaguar, Capybara, and Giant Anteater.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supervise and plan the work of staff responsible for the direct maintenance and care of a variety of animals within the Zoo
- Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for both the collection and staff
- Supervise, direct and participate in the feeding and watering of animals in and around existing quarters; clean, inspect, sanitize, and maintain and repair animal quarters
- Train assigned employees, interns, and volunteers in their areas of work including zookeeping and animal care methods, procedures, techniques and professional conduct
- Monitor the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications
- Supervise the administration of animal diet directives from Nutrition Department; clean and maintain food storage containers
- Maintain adequate records on daily activities, observe animal behavior for signs of illness, weight loss/gain or injury, report any signs of illness or injury to curator, assist veterinarians in minor operations or related activity as needed
- Supervise and implement approved animal training and enrichment projects in the area
- Supervise and participate in the implementation of approved research projects
- Lead and participate in regular staff meetings
- Maintain inventory of supplies and equipment
- Supervise and perform various maintenance and repair activities on animal quarters and animal cleaning equipment
- Oversee and assist in the training and enrichment of assigned animals
- Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner, resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner
- Present keeper talks to park visitors and media as needed
- Ensure and supervise the proper restraint, crating, moving, and uncrating of animals
- Inspect animal equipment and facilities, report for maintenance as required
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Demonstrates leadership of employees through ongoing training to include applicable laws, Zoo policies, business conduct and ethics and the provision of quality services to guests and employees supporting the highest level of program integrity.
Qualifications:
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Must be 21 years of age or older
- Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain zoo standards of insurability
Must possess ability to:
- Independently perform the most difficult animal care and handling duties
- Interpret, explain and enforce department policies and procedures
- Work independently in the absence of immediate supervision
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Maintain mental capacity which permits making sound decisions and using good judgment, prioritizing work activities
- Foster and maintain a cohesive team environment
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Exercise supervision over assigned zoo keeping staff, interns and volunteers for all areas of collection care and professional conduct
- Participate in the selection, hiring, training and evaluation of staff
- Monitor the work environment of staff, participate in the review and implementation of disciplinary action as needed with the Curatorial and Human Resources staff
- Schedule staff; maintain up to date standard operation procedure for assigned areas
- Ensure safe working environment for staff and animals
- Demonstrates leadership of employees through ongoing training to include applicable laws, zoo policies, business conduct and ethics and the provision of quality services to guests and employees supporting the highest level of program integrity
Education and/or Experience:
- Must have 3 years of increasingly responsible zoo keeping experience; minimum of 1-year supervisory experience preferred
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, zoology, animal behavior, biology, ecology, psychology or related field preferred
- Specialized training in zoology or a related field desirable but not required
- Some tax-related expertise, or experience may be assigned to certain categories (venomous reptile experience, experience with incubators or hand rearing)
Physical Demands:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
- The employee must frequently lift and/or move 50 pounds, sometimes up to 75 pounds with assistance.
Work Environment:
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Team oriented environment
- Ability to work irregular hours (holidays and weekends)
- Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold and inclement weather
- Exposure to all types of inclement weather conditions
- Exposure to chemicals (cleaning, water chemicals, additives, etc.)
- Ability to work special events and functions as required
This position may be safety sensitive
- This position may work around animals susceptible to specific diseases, thus may be subject to regular tuberculosis and rabies titer testing, and the routine use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, face masks
Disclaimer
- The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as a complete inventory of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
- This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.
- Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
- Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
- Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.
Benefits
- This is a full-time position and offers the following benefits:
- Medical and Prescription Drug (Employee Coverage 90% Employer Paid, Dependent Coverage 55% Employer Paid)
- Vision
- Dental
- Basic Life AD&D (100% Employer Paid)
- Short Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
- Long Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
- Supplemental Life
- Flexible Spending Account
- 401k
- Paid Time Off (Accrual Equivalent to 5 Weeks Per Year)
- PTO Rollover
- PTO Sell Back
- Free Zoo Membership
- Free Guest Passes
- Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission and Programs
