The Phoenix Zoo is hiring a Relief Keeper II. This position is a dynamic, cross-functional role responsible for supporting multiple animal care teams across the Zoo working with ectotherms, large and small carnivores, birds, hoofstock, and domestic animals, among others. This role requires a highly adaptable individual who can seamlessly integrate into various assigned teams, contributing as a full team member while maintaining continuity and up-to-date knowledge in animal care, training, and wellbeing standards. Relief Keepers play a critical role in ensuring consistency in animal management practices across the Zoo. They actively participate in all aspects of daily operations, including husbandry routines, behavioral training programs, enrichment implementation, medical procedures, and public engagement opportunities. They also have the opportunity to serve on Zoo committees and participate in interdepartmental projects. This position is ideal for a motivated, solution-oriented individual who thrives in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. The ideal candidate for this position will contribute to a positive work culture and demonstrate flexibility, excellent time management, accountability, and the ability to work independently and with a wide range of staff including veterinary staff, supervisors, and keepers.
Essential Duties:
- Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance.
- Perform routine husbandry by feeding prescribed diets, monitoring and reporting diet consumption consistent with documented Standard Operating Procedures; observe and report any health or behavioral abnormalities of all assigned animal specimens to immediate supervisor on a daily basis; assist veterinary staff in carrying out health monitoring and assessment; perform Standard Operating Procedures associated with specialty areas or programs (e.g., venomous animal and large reptiles handling); support captive reproduction program functions as assigned.
- Perform assigned and approved behavioral enrichment activities and animal training procedures of assigned specimens in a timely manner and consistent with documented Standard Operating Procedures
- Perform routine maintenance of facilities by maintaining and reporting any structural or mechanical problems; interact with maintenance staff as needed.
- Stay up-to-date on current protocols in all trained areas of assignment as well as routine changes as needed; assist in the training of new staff in assigned SOPs
- Respond to animal emergency circumstances according to approved protocols.
- Participate as assigned in non-routine health and husbandry activities such as animal transports, animal introductions/breeding, restraint and treatment of animals, and the medication of specimens.
- Monitor the public ensuring the safety of guests and animals.
- Work collaboratively with other staff and departments to support designated public experiences and other communication activities that include participating as necessary with Special Events, Group Services, Marketing and PR events.
- Initiate engagement and interaction with guests in support of the Zoo’s mission by developing and conducting interactive animal programs.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Life Science or equivalent experience preferred.
- High school diploma required.
- Minimum 2 years paid experience relevant to animal husbandry in an AZA accredited institution or related facility.
- Behavioral enrichment and operant conditioning experience preferred.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Able to bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven surfaces.
- Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.
- Possession of a valid driver’s license.
- Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check and clear annual TB test
Salary
- Pay Starting at $24.89/ Hour
