Zoo Keeper

The City of Idaho Falls Zoo is looking for an enthuasiastic and driven individual to join the team as a full time Zoo Keeper. This position is a relief position that works across two animal areas and has the opportunity to care for a variety of species: Lions, Tigers, Sloth bears, Camels, Servals, Fennec Fox, Gibbons, Colobus, Lemurs, Tamarins, Cranes and a few others. Zoo Keepers are expected to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the natural history of the species to support them in providing appropriate care for our animals and direction from the Animal Care Supervisor and General Curator regarding daily operations as appropriate. This role will cover strings in the absence of the primary Animal Keeper(s) and will assist the primary keeper with duties and special projects as needed. and performs a variety of skilled duties related to the care and maintenance of captive wildlife.  Any applicant should have experience providing enrichment and experience with operant conditioning training as this position will focus on both.

Essential Functions

• Monitors health and behavior of all animals within assigned area on a daily basis.
• Prepares animal feed and feeds animals according to specified diets.
• Cleans and disinfects animal enclosures and exhibits.
• Prepares exhibits to present animals in natural settings.
• This includes props (trees, shrubs, etc.), location of feeding stations and lighting, etc. Provides input to supervisors on exhibit design or modification.
• Inspects exhibits on a daily basis to assess overall condition and safety; performs minor exhibit and enclosure maintenance as needed. Ensures all safety and security protocols are followed.
• Under the supervision of the veterinarian, administers oral or injectable medications to animals in the collection.
• Develops and implements enrichment activities for different animal species. Trains and conditions animals to improve animal management, provide enrichment, and promote visitor education. 
• Maintains appropriate and detailed records including, but not limited to daily animal behavior, feeding schedules, dietary needs, health problems, treatment schedules, enrichment and training, etc.
• Assists in the capture and/or physical/chemical restraint and transportation of animals.
• Participates in emergency drills.
• Maintains proficiency with darting equipment and firearms, and serves on the firearms and emergency response teams.
• Monitors zoo facilities to ensure the safety of zoo patrons and employees.
• Assists with a variety of facility maintenance projects as needed.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• A. Graduation from a 4-year college with a degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Behavior or related field; AND
• B. Three (3) years of experience in the care of captive wildlife, preferably in an AZA institution; OR
• C. An equivalent combination of education and experience.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of the general care and maintenance of animals;
• animal biology and behavior;
• operation of light equipment, such as pick-up, tractor, etc.;
• operation of common hand and power tools;
• basic math and writing skills.
• Ability to understand and follow routine verbal or written instructions;
• ability to learn quickly and adapt to unique requirements of zoo keeper work;
• ability to perform strenuous physical labor;
• ability to work safely in a potentially dangerous work environment;
• ability to follow established policies and procedures;
• ability to operate two-way radio; ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing;
• ability to use firearms, tranquilizer guns, and other specialized equipment;
• ability to develop effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees, and the public.

Special Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid Idaho driver's license.
• This position is required to work in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift , carry, push and/or pull up to 50 lbs unassisted.
• Must be able to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Maintain First Aid and CPR Certifications.
• Must complete training in use of firearms and chemical immobilization equipment.
• Final candidate must pass a criminal background check.

Work Environment

• Tasks require a variety of physical activities generally involving muscular strain.
• Physical demands may occur in activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, lifting, etc.
• Talking, hearing and seeing required in the daily performance of job duties.
• Exposure to weather, environmental hazards and dangers resulting from working around dangerous animals and equipment.
• Mental application utilizes memory for details, emotional stability and discriminating thinking and creative problem solving.

Salary

• $39,395.20 starting