What are the responsibilities and job description for the Part-Time Animal Keeper - NW Trek Wildlife Park position at Metro Parks Tacoma?
Salary : $17.04 - $21.00 Hourly
Location : Eatonville, WA
Job Type : Part-time, 29 hrs per week or less
Department : Zoological and Environmental Education
Opening Date : 01 / 22 / 2025
Job Description
Based on our internal equity review process, the starting hourly wage for this position will be $17.04
Work where you play!
Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.
Who We Are
Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Parks Tacoma's mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70 parks, 80 miles of trails, 1,000 acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals : innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.
Why You'll Love it Here Come work with us and work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you'll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. On top of that, you'll wake each day knowing that you're helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.
NORTHWEST TREK WILDLIFE PARK
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a facility of Parks Tacoma, an independent government agency creating healthy opportunities to play, learn and grow since 1907. A five-member Board of Park Commissioners governs Parks Tacoma and is the policy determining body for the park district.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is dedicated to conservation, education and recreation by displaying, interpreting and researching native Northwest wildlife and natural habitats. We are nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), which ensures rigorously high standards of animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education and more.
Position Information
Under the direction of the Curator and in collaboration with Zoological Department Keepers, this position is responsible for performing specialized work in the care, observation and maintenance of an assigned area at Northwest Trek.
In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to :
- Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
- Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
- Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
- Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
- Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.
Essential Duties
Minimum Qualifications
Additional Information
HOURS : Up to 29 hours per week. Hours and days per week may vary.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES :
Lifting and carrying heavy objects or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
Pushing, climbing, walking, kneeling and crouching to work with and feed animals.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized equipment and tools.
HAZARDS :
Exposure to potentially dangerous and sick animals.
Exposure to animal fecal material.
Chemicals, fumes, odors, poor ventilation and noise.
Contact with irate visitors.
ENVIRONMENT :
Indoor and outdoor environment.
Adverse weather conditions.
PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and / or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
Tacoma Parks employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Tacoma Parks is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at
Employment is subject to a national background check.
This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement.
Enrollment in the the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) through the Washington State Department of Retirement Services (DRS) may be mandatory.
Sick Leave : 1 hour earned for every 40 hours worked.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - SupportLinc provides emotional wellbeing and work-life balance resources to keep you at your best. Administered by CuraLinc Healthcare, the program offers guidance to help you address and resolve everyday issues at no cost to you or your family.
Community Center Fitness Pass - All Parks Tacoma employees get a Staff Pass to use at our community centers.The All Center Pass allows access to all four centers - Center at Norpoint, Eastside Community Center, People's Center and STAR Center.
Note : THIS BENEFIT OVERVIEW IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE MODIFIED AND / OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.
Salary : $17 - $21
