Lead Contact Keeper

Nashville Zoo Position Description

MAMMAL DEPARTMENT:

Lead Contact Keeper



Position: Lead Contact Keeper

Department: Mammal

Supervisor: Contact Area Supervisor

Curator: Curator of Mammals



The Nashville Zoo is currently seeking a highly motivated individual to bring their animal care experience and passion for guest engagement to our Contact Team. This individual will be joining a team of dedicated animal care staff caring for domestic animals, marsupials, rodents and birds. The ideal candidate will possess a balanced combination of animal expertise, leadership and internal motivation to uphold the mission of the Nashville Zoo.

Description: Contact Area Lead Animal Care Specialist is a full time working position that participates in the general care of assigned collection animals and leadership of animal care staff. The Contact Team includes Croft Farm, Critter Encounter, and Kangaroo Kickabout exhibits. Leads are required to know all aspects of the day-to-day activities of their assigned areas. They must display a positive, team-oriented attitude while interacting with zoo team members and guests. They will fulfill the zoo's mission while providing a friendly, safe and clean atmosphere for visitors to enjoy the Nashville Zoo.

Additional Duties Include (but not limited to):

• Support contact area supervisor and mammal curator and provide direction to contact team to ensure adherence to safety and operating policies.
• Perform light exhibit construction; operate zoo vehicles; use power tools; maintain integrity of existing exhibits.
• Ensure Zims records are complete and accurate
• Educate guests and oversee animal care chats, special events and tours in area
• Assist with coordinating interns and docents within the department
• secondary contact with the Veterinary Department in animal health situations
• support pollinator programs such as honeybees, Monarch butterflies and pollinator gardens
• Upon the occurrence that both the Supervisor and Curator are out of the office concurrently, the employee will serve to lead the Contact Area team and ensure proper communication and documentation within and between departments.
  
  

Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience in the following areas:

• Minimum of 5 years of animal husbandry experience
• Effective communication and organizational leadership skills
• Care and handling of domestic animals and marsupials.
• Animal handling, capture and restraint
• Understanding and application of operant conditioning
• Guest engagement and special events
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work outside year-round under typical Tennessee weather conditions and temperatures for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to work in uneven terrain with exposure to varying weather conditions, dust, and allergens.
• Must be able to lift and carry materials up to 50 pounds.
  
  

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of full-time, paid experience.
• Preferred college degree in an applicable field or comparable experience
• Applicants must possess a valid driver's license
  
  

Background Check:

Applicants for this position are required to submit to a criminal background check and pass a drug test.

Special Note:

Applicants may be required to work any combination of five days in the seven-day workweek including weekends and holidays.

Nashville Zoo is an EEO Institution and a Drug Free Workplace

Pay Range

$22.29—$25.63 USD