Head Keeper – Jungle Trails Team

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Description: This is a full-time (40 hours per week with benefits) Union keeper position, which is subject to the successful completion of a probationary (or trial period) and the deduction of union dues. Regular off-days based on house seniority will be Monday–Tuesday. The area schedule consists of 5 8‑hour days.

Summary: This position is a leadership role and is expected to support/oversee the Jungle Trails keeper team. It encompasses skilled professional and technical work in the routine daily care of assigned animals, enclosures, and related facilities in the Jungle Trails Department. Animals within the area include species of prosimians, monkeys, and apes. Duties may include related tasks and/or unrelated duties as assigned.

• Union negotiated pay rates, with a starting rate at $32.75/hour
• We offer a highly competitive benefits package supporting our employees’ Total Well‑Being, including comprehensive & affordable medical, dental & vision coverage (starting the first day of the month following date of hire); free mental health counseling and coaching, 401(k) plan with company match; flexible spending accounts; generous paid time off (200 PTO hours accrued throughout the first year of service, 80 of which are loaded into the PTO bank upon hire);
  
  company‑paid disability & life insurance; park discounts and free passes.
• Organizational culture that highlights the following core values:
• Collaborative Relationships
• Pride, Passion, and a Sense of Ownership
• Positivity and Energy
• Accountability, Mutual Trust, and Respect
• Progressive Thinking
• Intentional professional development opportunities, for both animal care and "people" skills

Desired Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstration of excellent communication and problem‑solving skills, while applying good judgment, to deliver animal care and guest experiences that meet the highest standards
• Demonstration of knowledge and successful experience in animal husbandry, operant conditioning, and understanding of modern zoological practices
• The ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with co‑workers (including staff, interns, students and volunteers)
• A degree in the biological sciences or related field
• 3 years of primate husbandry experience in an AZA institution preferred, with preference for:
  • Experience with chimpanzees and/or bonobos, with fission/fusion social management
  • Experience with new‑world primates and/or mixed species habitat management
• Operant conditioning experience with blood draw, cardiac ultrasound, and blood pressure behaviors for great apes is preferred
• Knowledge of animal husbandry, operant conditioning, and understanding of modern zoological practices
• Critical thinking capacity for decision making, with the ability to cultivate innovation within the team
• Knowledge and understanding of animal training theory and applications
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, high trust working relationships with colleagues
• Ability to collaborate with the keeper team, respectfully supporting people to share opinions and encouraging people to actively engage in creating/pursuing area goals
• Possession of a growth mindset, which engages in learning, collaboration, and action towards bettering animal welfare practices on a consistent basis
• Resiliency to adapt to ever changing departmental needs
• Desire to expand upon leadership skillsets to offer effective support for the team
• Demonstration of effective emotional intelligence skill through realistic self‑appraisal and self‑confidence, which are highlighted through transparency, adaptability, and a generally optimistic attitude
• Demonstration of effective emotional intelligence skills through empathy and cognition of the social environment, which are highlighted through…