Zookeeper - Commissary

Safety Sensitive: This is a safety-sensitive position.  Regardless of whether you are a medical marijuana licensee, you must receive a negative result on a 10-panel, pre-placement drug screening to include THC, prior to beginning work.

The Zoo

• Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. (TZMI) is a nonprofit organization driven by our mission of Connecting, Caring, Advocating for Wildlife, People, and Wild Places.  From roaring lions to chirping parrots, each member of our team is integral to the success of the Zoo as Green Country’s largest paid daily attraction. 
• At Tulsa Zoo, the IDEA is a zoo for all.
• We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. 
• Apply today for your opportunity to join our dynamic group of passionate individuals who bring the zoo to life each day, 365 days per year, caring for animals, interacting with guests, educating the public, and managing the Zoo’s grounds, operations, and facilities. 

A Few of Your Many Benefits

• Free family-level Tulsa Zoo membership
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits beginning your first day of employment
• 401k
• Unlimited mental healthcare at no cost to you
• Food, beverage, and retail discounts on zoo grounds
• Generous paid time off
• Your Job
• The Commissary Zookeeper is responsible for the daily preparation, distribution, and inventory management of food and supplies for each animal at Tulsa Zoo.
•   This role also receives and processes deliveries for each department within the Zoo.

Your Essential Responsibilities

• If you disclose different abilities, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable you to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Other duties may be assigned to you.
• Prepare daily food rations for hundreds of animal species of varying taxa according to specific dietary requirements, ensuring food safety and sanitation standards are upheld.
• Measure, mix, and portion food items accurately and communicate with appropriate departments when items are ready to be picked up.
• Assist in ordering and receiving food supplies.
• Rotate stock to ensure freshness and prevent spoilage.
• Conduct regular inventory checks and report shortages or discrepancies.
• Clean and sanitize food preparation areas, equipment, and storage spaces.
• Follow all safety protocols and guidelines to prevent contamination.
• Properly dispose of waste and expired food items.
• Work closely with vet staff and other departments to ensure dietary needs are met.
• Recognize signs of pest infestation and combat pests/nuisance wildlife as directed.
• Train, assist, and oversee work of volunteers/interns and ensure their safety while performing duties.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and assigned training sessions.
• Participate in visitor education programs, formal and informal animal presentations and outreach programs, scheduled keeper talks, and provide accurate information to the public.
• Maintain necessary testing/vaccinations as required (TB, rabies, etc.).
• Maintain necessary certifications as required.
• Respond to emergency calls after normal operating hours.
• Maintain facilities to ensure animal, staff, and visitor safety, and in good appearance for public viewing at all times. Identify and communicate situations for repair and maintenance for the safety of animals, visitors, and staff as well as overall upkeep of the facilities.
• Maintain area compliance with all local, state, federal, and international regulations (USDA, AZA, etc.).
• Daily observation of animal collection for injury, illness, aggression, stress, breeding activity, diet intake and fecal consistency.
• Maintain accurate records including but not limited to food inventory.
• Monitor equipment (freezers, HVAC and backup generators) as needed.
• Apply appropriate techniques and opportunities for enrichment of the animal collections.
• Effectively communicate and demonstrate interpersonal skills with all levels of employees in a clear and professional manner.
• Demonstrate and adhere to TZMI’s workplace values.
• Fill in for zookeepers in other departments as requested.

What We Expect

• Required Qualifications, Education and/or Experience
• Bachelor degree in biology, zoology, animal science, environmental resources, wildlife management or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to work weekends.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of guests, employees, and the general public.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint or Prezi, and popular internet browsers.

What You can Expect

• Our Values
• We are enthusiastically committed to be part of the Tulsa Zoo community.
• We will all work together as one Zoo Team to support the Zoo’s mission.
• We will value and appreciate everyone and create a safe, understanding, and welcoming environment for all.
• We will all be accountable for achieving excellence.
• We will earn the trust of one another, acting honestly and treating each other with respect.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Moving about - frequently
• Sitting - occasionally
• Standing - constantly
• Reaching with hands and arms – constantly
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling - occasionally
• Exchange of in-person, phone, radio, or digital communication - frequently
• Carrying or lifting up to 50 pounds – frequently
• Pushing and/or pulling up to 50 pounds – frequently
• Climbing and/or balancing - rarely
• Gripping, pinching, writing, and other hand movements – constantly
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions - occasionally
• Exposure to high noise levels- rarely
• Work near moving mechanical parts – occasionally
• Wet or humid environment - occasionally