A Senior Animal Keeper must be an experienced keeper with extensive knowledge in the areas of animal care/management and supervision of paid staff and unpaid volunteers/interns, including team building, leadership training, and conflict management. Work ranges from the physical tasks associated with feeding, enrichment, training, and maintenance of the animals’ living areas to more analytical tasks of planning, record keeping, and communication.
- This Senior Keeper position is a Primary Keeper role with the Oakland Zoo’s giraffe team.
- This position works 5 days per week on the giraffe team.
Essential Job Duties
- Implement Department/Zoo priorities as well as demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements, which may include Departmental administrative tasks
- Guide and support staff and volunteers as appropriate
- Train, inspire, coach, set expectations, and provide feedback with a wide variety of people including docents, teen volunteers, and Education staff
- Act as a department leader. Can be expected to cover department functions and emergency response coordination in the absence of Zoological Manager or Department Vice President
- Perform other related duties as required and assigned by Animal Care leadership
- Must be able to represent the Zoo in a variety of public settings including press interviews, instructional classes, and casual communication with Zoo guests
- Expected to use animal observation, enrichment, training and other management methods to ensure the best possible psychological well-being of the animals in their care
Experience Required
- Minimum of two year’s experience working directly with giraffe (preferably at an AZA facility) At least five years full time professional experience in the care of wildlife at an AZA zoo or comparable facility Bachelor’s degree or specialized associate's degree (ex. Moorpark) or 6 years of experience at an AZA facility or equivalent Experience in the areas of animal care/management Experience with supervision of paid staff and unpaid volunteers/interns, including leadership training/conflict management Have or develop significant level of knowledge of the natural history and captive wildlife management for the animals under their care to insure their best possible physical and psychological well-being Able to use the tools of animal observation, enrichment, training, and other behavioral husbandry methods to ensure the best possible psychological well-being of the animals in their care Good physical condition: able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. (i.e., feed sack) and move a minimum of 120lbs. (i.e. hay bale) Valid driver’s license and clean driving record Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays Knowledge of the habits and hazards of working with wild animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while observing proper safety precautions Able to represent the Zoo in a variety of public settings including press interviews, instructional classes, and casual communication with Zoo guests Oakland Zoo requires COVID vaccination*
Further Comments
- This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement We are hiring a keeper for Giraffes at either the Keeper or Senior Keeper level, depending upon experience.
- We have posted both roles separately at this time to help our candidates find the position that most aligns with their experience and goals.
- However, only one position will be filled.
- Please note: If you apply for the Keeper or the Senior Keeper, you will be automatically considered for both.
Perks
- Oakland Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package,
- including Health insurance,
- Dental insurance,
- Vision insurance,
- Flexible spending account,
- Union pension,
- Paid time off,
- Employee Assistance Program,
- and a Family Zoo Membership.
Salary
- 30.03
