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 workday! 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. Pay will be based on experience - $18.97- $19.55 per hour
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 including:
- Medical plan options including HSA-eligible plan
- Employer paid Short-term and long-term disability
- Employer paid Life Insurance and voluntary buy-up coverage for family members
- Employer Paid Employee Assistance Program
- Dental & vision for employee & family
- 12 full weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
- Daily zoo walks
- YMCA gym discounts
- Medical and dependent care flex spending accounts
- Wellness plan and healthy living reimbursement
- We offer 6 days of personal time, generous vacation time, and 11 paid Holidays each year
- 401(k) with a 4% match and 3% employer contribution
- Zoo discounts including employee-only zoo experiences
- Tuition reimbursement after 1 year of employment
- Additional medical benefits to meet you and your family's needs,
- 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 specializes in the care of chimpanzees, spider monkeys, small primates, and several small mammal species. Zookeepers play an integral role in educating the public and passing on their enthusiasm for animals.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WOULD BE:
- Ape experience necessary
- 2 years experience working with exotic animals
- Comfortable learning to work with the following types of animals: frogs, lizards, snakes, spiders, monkeys, fish, aquatic invertebrates, chimpanzee, cockroaches, and other insects
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- SCUBA certified or capable of being certified
- Capable of being venomous trained
- 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.
Salary
- $18.97- $19.55 per hour
