What are the responsibilities and job description for the Zookeeper - Ambassador Animal position at John Ball Zoo?
ZOOKEEPER - AMBASSADOR ANIMAL
The Ambassador Animal Care team provides overall care, training, and presentation of ambassador animals, ensuring optimal human and animal safety while providing guests with engaging and educational animal experiences. As a keeper on this team, the Zookeeper – Ambassador Animal provides care and training for ambassador animals and educational animal demonstrations for onsite and offsite guests, in accordance with established procedures and protocols. This includes the care and feeding of exotic and domestic animals; the engaging presentation of ambassador animals; the transport of ambassador 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 has a heavy focus on leading educational programming and presenting ambassador animals.
This is a Union position. Position pay starts at $17.11 per hour.
WHO WE ARE
At John Ball Zoo, our mission is to inspire our community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and our natural environment. John Ball Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1983 which assures excellent animal care and a dedication to conservation. As one of the top attractions in Grand Rapids, we welcome over 700,000 guests each year who are able to experience over 2,000 animals of over 230 species that represent the beautiful wildlife living in our world! We are passionate about our mission focused on education and conservation but know that our 120 full time and 350 seasonal people guided by our core values accomplish this mission. Our core values are:
At John Ball Zoo, our mission is to inspire our community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and our natural environment. John Ball Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1983 which assures excellent animal care and a dedication to conservation. As one of the top attractions in Grand Rapids, we welcome over 700,000 guests each year who are able to experience over 2,000 animals of over 230 species that represent the beautiful wildlife living in our world! We are passionate about our mission focused on education and conservation but know that our 120 full time and 350 seasonal people guided by our core values accomplish this mission. Our core values are:
- Conservation
- Education
- Community
- Celebrate
- Compassion
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 generous vacation time, 6 days of personal time, and 11 paid Holidays each year. We offer a 4% match and 3% employer contribution to your 401k, zoo discounts, employee-only zoo experiences, tuition reimbursement, additional medical benefits to meet your and your family's needs, and a FREE Premium Zoo membership for you and your family.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A ZOOKEEPER – AMBASSADOR ANIMAL AT JBZ
A Zookeeper – Ambassador Animal provides care and training of the ambassador animals and engaging and educational animal experiences to guests. This position will collaborate with teammates and managers to ensure optimal daily animal care and ambassador animal programs. This includes care, feeding and training of exotic and domestic animals; presenting ambassador animals; delivering engaging educational messaging; cleaning and maintenance of buildings, exhibits, and yards; observing and reporting on the physical and behavioral conditions of the animals; administering medical treatment; transporting animals offsite; and completing related record keeping. Working on the Ambassador Animal Care team, this position will frequently collaborate with the Education and Volunteer departments. The schedule for this position will be based on ambassador animal presentation needs and therefore vary in days off and shift times. This position will complete necessary documentation as instructed, including preparation of daily notes/reports to document all animal care activities. They will also respond to patron questions concerning animals and their behaviors and regularly deliver presentations in the community.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ZOOKEEPER – AMBASSADOR ANIMAL AT JBZ
- One to two years’ experience in exotic animal care in a zoo or aquarium setting
- Knowledge of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement training techniques demonstrated experience preferred.
- Strong public speaking and presentation skills
- Demonstrated clear written and verbal communication skills with colleagues and managers; ability to receive constructive criticism.
- Positive attitude, affect, articulation, and affability, which serve to enhance the performance of co-workers and team morale.
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues and managers to ensure daily animal care and overall team progress and success.
- Good time management skills, with ability to prioritize, ask for assistance, and pivot as necessary; ability to take initiative.
- Ability to handle animals of all taxa, as instructed, ensuring guest, animal, and handler safety.
- Ability to recognize and respond as instructed to signs of animal stress
- Rabies vaccinated, or able to be rabies vaccinated
- Must have valid driver’s license
- Must be able to work variable evenings, weekends, and holidays.
WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Employee will work in various environments both inside and outside and will be exposed to inclement weather; pollen, mold, dust, dirt, and other airborne contaminants; and temperature variations. Must be able to tolerate exposure to anti-bacterial, disinfectants and other cleaning compounds. Must be able to wear all required protective clothing and equipment. Must be able to work near exotic and domestic animals and tolerate exposure to animal dander, animal wastes, and other zoonotic contaminants. Must be able to lift at least 50lbs and stand for at least three hours. Must be able and available to be tested annually for tuberculosis. Must be, or able to be, immunized against Hepatitis-B and rabies.
NEW TO 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!
John Ball Zoo is a drug free facility under federal regulations. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. We invite individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, hairstyles, or any other characteristic to join our team where diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated.
Salary : $17
