The Nutrition Services Technician works under the direction of the Zoo Animal Manager (ZAM) and Curator of Nutrition to prepare and deliver animal diets for the operation of the Animal Nutrition Center (ANC) in accordance with standards for accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) as well as food safety regulations of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This position is expected to positively contribute to the team and greater zoo workplace culture; as well as promoting the Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation’s (FCZC) mission and vision within the community.
- We are pleased to offer this part time position an Employee Assistance Program, 401K, Paid CA Sick Time. The pay range for this position is $18.27 - $19.18 per hour.
- Offers will be based on the successful candidate’s experience.
ESSENTIAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Maintains the kitchen and all food storage areas, including walk in fridges and freezers, in a clean, organized fashion consistent with industry standards and regulations.
- Maintains adequate stock of section supplies and reports low inventory levels to the ZAM-Nutrition.
- Assist in receiving deliveries and checking against packing slips, ensuring that animal food is of an appropriate quality through inspection at arrival and at the time of preparation.
- Prepares diets for the Zoo's animal collection, follows written and oral instructions concerning type and quantity of foods to be prepared and size of portions.
- Obtains necessary ingredients from the warehouse/barn/coolers/freezers and prepares by washing, cleaning, peeling, dicing or slicing as required.
- Assist the Browse Specialist in the procurement and distribution of browse.
- Performs preventive maintenance on all food preparation and storage facilities and equipment.
- Maintains accurate diet, USDS or AZA records as assigned.
- Utilizes training when making decisions that affect our collection.
- Proactively identify issues and implement effective and timely solutions.
- Transitions between projects or shifts in focus in a timely manner of receiving updated priorities from leadership, ensuring daily task assignment deadlines are not missed within a given day.
- Contributes to the successful completion of assigned tasks, while keeping error rate less than 1% on tasks within a given week.
- Complete independent tasks with minimal supervision while actively seeking peer feedback or contributing to group problem solving sessions at least once per week.
- Assists the Emergency Response team in animal events.
- Regularly interacts with zoo guests to answer questions, provide animal information and ensure excellent guest experience.
- Follow and maintain a safe working environment in accordance with all Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) standards.
- Safely operate equipment such as forklift, electric pallet jack and band saw in accordance to OSHA and on staff equipment trainer.
- Under the guidance of the ZAM-Nutrition and Curator of Nutrition provides guidance to interns or volunteers assigned in the section.
- Safely operate a vehicle for business purposes including but not limited to going to and from FCZC’s facilities and offsite.
- Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support team and organizational goals.
EDUCATION AND JOB QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or equivalent required
- 4-year degree in applicable fields of study (Animal Science, Nutrition, Feed Science, etc.) or 2year experience in food service desired.
- Demonstrated knowledge of food service and handling safety practices.
- Strong verbal and written English skills and the ability to communicate effectively with the public.
- A valid California driver's license, valid vehicle insurance, enrolled in the CA Employer Pull Notice program and successful completion of the FCZ Drivers Training Program required.
- Ability to be trained on and certified to operate equipment such as Forklift, electric pallet jack, and band saw.
- Show initiative in problem solving, exhibiting alertness and good judgement.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- These are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed. Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, the Zoo may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.
- This position is regularly required to stand, bend, stoop, crouch, and kneel; use hands and arms to prepare diets. Regularly required to climb stairs or ladders.
- The employee is regularly required to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift to 75 pounds.
- Ability to work in -20 Fahrenheit freezer for short periods of time.
- Evaluating food quality and safe operations of large equipment sight, hearing, and sense of smell.
- Visual acuity to read printed instructions and safety information. Color perception is also required.
- Ability to receive detailed information through oral and written communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- The position functions both indoors and outdoors, with potential exposure to heat, cold, and inclement weather.
- The employee is regularly exposed to a variety of animals with risk of animal bites (including venomous), zoonotic disease, and other animal-related injury.
- The employee may be required to work at heights.
- Occasional travel may be required.
- Ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
