The Ambassador Animal Care team provides overall care, training, and presentation of ambassador animals, ensuring optimal human and animal safety while providing guests with engaging and educational animal experiences. As the senior keeper on this team, this position guides the team in daily operations, mentors new staff, and, under manager direction, liaises with other teams and departments. This position also assists with animal ambassador program development, animal training and conditioning for programs, and presenter training.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SENIOR ZOOKEEPER ON THE AMBASSADOR ANIMAL CARE TEAM AT JBZ
- A senior zookeeper on the Ambassador Animal Care team leads, under the direction of management, the overall care and training of the ambassador animals, and provides engaging and educational animal experiences to guests.
- This position will collaborate with teammates and managers to ensure daily animal care and overall team progress and success.
- This includes care, feeding and training of exotic and domestic animals; the cleaning and maintenance of buildings, exhibits, and yards; observation and reporting on the physical and behavioral conditions of the animals; medical treatment; related record keeping; and presentation of ambassador animals for pre-approved educational programming.
- As a leader in the team, the position will support and encourage the team to enhance the performance of co-workers and team morale.
- Working on the Ambassador Animal Care team, this position will frequently collaborate with the Education and Volunteer departments. Under the direction of management, this position will liaise with other teams and departments on animal care, animal presentation, and building maintenance.
- This position will frequently train exotic and domestic animals for husbandry, medical, and presentation behaviors.
- This position will guide and coach new staff and volunteers working in the space and presenting animals for educational programming.
Experience Required
- At least five years of experience in exotic animal care or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience in animal training and a bachelor’s degree in life sciences or a related field.
- Demonstrated strong public speaking skills, delivering formal and informal engaging educational presentations for audiences of varying sizes and ages.
- Simultaneously providing educational presentations while training animals is desired.
- At least 3 years of professional animal training experience using positive reinforcement techniques.
- Experiencing teaching and mentoring others in animal training is strongly preferred.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to ensure thorough and effective communication with a broad spectrum of stakeholders include, but not limited to:
- team members, managers, volunteers, leadership, and guests.
- Experience leading a team and mentoring others preferred.
- Ability to develop positive professional relationships with all levels of staff and volunteers Demonstrated computer competence to complete required record keeping and communication.
- Experience using ZIMS desired.
- Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
Perks
- Medical plan option Short-term disability Long-term disability Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program Dental & Vision for employee & family 12 Full weeks of parental leave ADDITIONAL BENEFITS We offer generous vacation time, 6 days of personal time, and 11 paid Holidays each year.
- We offer a 4% match and 3% employer contribution to your 401k, zoo discounts, employee-only zoo experiences, tuition reimbursement, additional medical benefits to meet your and your family's needs, and a FREE Premium Zoo membership for you and your family.
Salary
- 20.62-24.03
