Reports To: Operations Supervisor, Assistant Mammal Supervisor
Position Managed: Keepers, volunteers, and other support staff
Department: Animal Programs
Location: Bronx Zoo
Employment Type: Union, Full-Time
Pay Range: $54,473.00 per year
About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS):
WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.
Position Summary:
To perform any activity required for the captive life systems necessary for animal well-being and exhibit appearance in the Department of Mammalogy.
Principal Responsibilities:
- The well-being, feeding and care of the captive animals in the wildlife park and the daily care and operation of their enclosures.
- Supervise and/or participate in the cleaning of public areas in and around exhibits and other animal facilities.
- Supervise and prepare animal diets or other food substances. May assist in both requisition and record keeping of food and other supplies.
- Inspect exhibits and facilities to ascertain that they are clean, well-lit and properly heated and ventilated, and take necessary action to ensure such.
- Make minor and emergency repairs necessary to animal management and exhibition areas and report the need for major repairs.
- Observe the animals entrusted to his/her care and report promptly on any indication of illness.
- Carry out the veterinarian's instructions for the care of sick animals and follow any protocols established for the care of any animals.
- Supervise and/or participate in the transfer of animals from one enclosure or zoo, etc., to another.
- Aid, help and inform the public regarding the wildlife park, its animals and exhibits.
- Participate in the installation of exhibit materials such as, but not limited to, perches, plants, rocks, logs, pools, painted walls, etc.
- Implement and participate in animal breeding, enrichment and operant conditioning programs.
- Supervise and instruct wild animal keepers and other subordinates in all phases of animal management/exhibition care.
- Maintain records related to the animal collection and complete daily reports and censuses as required.
- Participate in and instruct other keepers on how to participate in any pest control program in use in any areas occupied at any time by exotic wild animals.
- Assist in planning work assignments.
- Supervise and/or participate in animal hospital procedures as assigned.
- Operate vehicles and equipment as duties require.
- Accompany the curator on field trips for animal collection.
- Enforce WCS's visitors' rules and regulations and those of the Department of Parks of the City of New York and of the Department of Mammalogy.
- Perform related tasks and duties as required.
- Contribute to, enlarge and uphold WCS's policies toward the Equal Employment Opportunities for women, minorities, veterans, the handicapped and other protected groups.
- Ability to represent WCS in a professional manner and to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with employees, colleagues, City and other government agencies, outside contractors, and the general public.
