Zookeeper  – Amphibians, Reptiles and Aquatics

Be part of the adventure and come Work Wild with us! Have an enhanced experience taking care of our wide range of animals, and enjoy your work day! We are looking for someone passionate about animal care and working with others to join our energetic and fast-paced team to provide the best care possible to our animals. Come be a part of our growing zoo while helping make a difference! 

• This is a union position. Position starts at $16.78- This position will have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. 

MISSION 

• We inspire our community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and our natural environment. 

BENEFITS AT JBZ 

• We offer incredibly competitive benefits. This includes FREE: 
• 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 6 days of personal time, generous vacation time, and 11 paid Holidays each year.
• We offer a 7% employer contribution to your 401K, zoo discounts, employee-only zoo experiences, tuition reimbursement, additional medical benefits to meet you and your family's needs, and a FREE Premium Zoo membership for you and your family.  

GRAND RAPIDS 

• Come live in the beautiful Grand Rapids where you can find live music, art festivals, outdoor recreation, and nationally ranked food and craft beverages.
• You can drive 20 minutes and be by the beautiful Lake Michigan, hike and kayak by the Grand River, or stay downtown and enjoy a variety of food and drinks.
• Grand Rapids is known as Americas’ best beer city, nation's craft beverage capital, and a top 20 U.S. Foodie city.
• There is a little bit of everything here in Grand Rapids to attract everyone including our growing zoo! 

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A ZOOKEEPER  

• A Zookeeper performs technical animal management work in accordance with established procedures and protocols, required for proper care and maintenance of animals under human care at the John Ball Zoo.
• This includes the care and feeding of exotic and domestic animals; the cleaning and maintenance of buildings, exhibits, and yards; and observation and reporting on the physical and behavioral condition of the animals.
• This position will focus on our amphibians, reptiles and aquatic animals. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

• Associate degree in Life Sciences-related field 
• Previous experience with animal care and maintenance of animal habitats; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WOULD BE:  

• Knowledgeable of and experienced with modern principles of animal care and welfare, including behavioral enrichment, medical treatments, exhibitory, nutrition, disease, transport, and positive reinforcement-based training techniques.
• Have a strong Affinity for the mission and values of John Ball Zoo 
• Comfortable learning to work with the following types of animals: frogs, lizards, snakes, spiders, monkeys, fish, aquatic invertebrates, chimpanzee, cockroaches, and other insects 
• Capable of demonstrating professionalism and maturity at all times 
• Skilled in proper interpretive techniques to relay information to visiting public 
• A strong and effective communicator and a supportive team player. 

Experience with ectotherms 

• Innovative and willing to look for solutions. 
• Capable of following all zoo and industry safety guidelines. 
• Be a self-starter and enjoy a neat and organized workspace. 
• Must be willing to work holidays, weekends, evenings, and late night events. 
• 2 years experience working with exotic animals including reptiles, amphibians, and aquatics is preferred 
• Willing to fill in as needed working with small mammals, primates, and chimps 
• Possess a positive attitude and a general philosophy/outlook in line with the Zoo’s mission. 
• Working knowledge of  the principles of operant conditioning to facilitate daily husbandry, behavioral modification, and medical procedures and possess the ability to successfully train behaviors from inception through completion. 
• Good attention to details and small changes in fish, amphibians, and reptiles
• Good understanding of water quality management,  
• SCUBA certified or capable of being certified 
• Aquarium knowledge and experience  
• Capable of being venomous trained

ARE YOU READY TO WORK WILD?  

• John Ball Zoo is a drug-free workplace under federal regulations. 
• Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.