Zoological Gardens - Zookeeper I​/II Animal Care

Overview

Under supervision of the Supervisor - Zookeeper, provide a variety of duties involved in the care and well-being of multiple animal species including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians. Primary responsibilities include daily husbandry for animals, their exhibit and holding areas, as well as other facilities of the zoo. Employees have access to controlled substances in the performance of their job duties.

Therefore, employees are required to not have any previous felony convictions related to a controlled substance.

The Zookeeper I exercises no direct supervision over other employees. The Zookeeper II may exercise technical and functional supervision over lower-level staff.

• Carry out all aspects of the daily care for assigned animals including cleaning, feeding, exhibit maintenance, general upkeep of support facilities and maintains a clean and organized area.
• Observe animal behavior and welfare on both a day to day and long-term basis with the ability to note normal and unusual behavior, as well as perceive changes in an animal’s injury, health or appetite concerns and report to their supervisor.
• Provide species appropriate and approved behavior-based enrichment for all collection animals in accordance with zoo standards and policies.
• Prepare, store and distribute animal diets and foods following feeding guidelines; assist Zoo Veterinarians in evaluating dietary needs and changes of zoo animals according to established USDA and zoo policies.
• Maintain required husbandry records on all daily reports, animal welfare, medical sheets, training, and enrichment logs according to established guidelines.
• Properly administer prescribed medications, supplements or treatments under the Zoo Veterinarian’s guidance.
• Clean and maintain the zoo commissary, food storage areas such as hay barn or supply rooms; assist with unloading supplies from delivery trucks.
• Work in a professional manner with volunteers, including interns, zoo teens, and adult volunteers, and take responsibility for training and guiding them in assigned tasks.
• Maintain lawn and landscaping within animal exhibits; operate lawn and maintenance equipment safely; assist horticulture staff with landscaping outside of animal exhibits.
• Provide routine maintenance and assist in the construction of exhibits and facilities; request maintenance assistance in repairing damaged areas or zoo facilities through work orders.
• Operate a City vehicle on and off zoo grounds.
• Speak professionally and respectfully with members of the public to answer questions about the zoo and deliver educational programs through keeper chats on collection animals. Public appearances may be requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the zoo management team on specific departmental needs or zoo-wide needs and responsibilities, and work collaboratively with other zoo staff and departments.

Knowledge Of: Safe driving principles and practices;
General animal care and behavior/operant conditioning;
Hazards and inherent dangers involved in working with zoo animals;
Animal handling and restrain, proper crating and uncrating of animals, and how to use various recapture and restraint equipment.

Skill To: Operate a food grinder, lawn mower, and incubator;
Safely operate a motor vehicle.

Ability To: Develop a work routine that emphasizes safety with the ability to see potential dangers to the animals, staff and public;
Understand and implement approved husbandry training for collection animals utilizing positive reinforcement in accordance with zoo standards and policies;
Learn the diet and nutritional requirements of zoo animals;
Learn to respond to an animal or public related emergency to prevent injury;
Learn to open, enter, exit, and secure animal enclosures, and service areas;
Learn to net, capture and/or restrain animals of extreme size, strength, and agility;
Learn to handle, examine, and move without harming sick, injured, and/or struggling small animals;
Follow and carry out specific oral and written instructions in a fast-paced environment;
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
Establis…