What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Keeper position at Oglebay?
Provides for the physical and psychological well-being of children’s zoo animals and enclosures; assists with interpreting the collection to visitors; instructs interactive animal programs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Cleans and maintains animal habitats and service areas using chemical agents and special tools to assure the health and safety of the animals.
- Prepare and distribute animal diets according to approved guidelines developed by the curator of animals.
- Performs regular maintenance to animal environments by collecting, installing and maintaining furnishings and substrata to maximize the public viewing of the animal and to depict its natural environment.
- Monitors and records health of animals with observation and periodic physical exams, monitors eating habits, behaviors and reproductive patterns.
- Observes and interprets normal and abnormal behaviors, health status, and food consumption; advises managers of problems or concerns.
- Maintains comprehensive records, reports, and training plans, handles routine correspondence from zoo colleagues and the public maintains food, supply and equipment inventory.
- Follows lesson plans and activities that meet the assigned goals and objectives of zoo interactive animal programs.
- Instructs and works with guests of all ages from preschool to senior citizens and speaks before large community and school groups.
- Handles registration and communication for interactive animal programs with parents and leaders.
- Collects program fees from participants and records accurate financial and attendance figures.
- Prepares and photo copies handouts and flyers.
- Distributes evaluation forms to parents, leaders or program participants and files returned responses.
- Supervises volunteers.
- Submits written reports at the end of interactive animal programs detailing observations from program and suggestions for future programs.
- Stocks supplies and paper goods, and notifies appropriate staff members of other supply needs.
- Presents workshops, on and off site programs, camps, behind the scenes tours, and animal encounters with the participation of approved live animals for the guests, schools, nursing homes and other organizations.
- Assist with special events.
- Reviews available library resources and develops a working knowledge of the in-situ and ex-situ biology of all species in assigned areas.
- Assists zoo veterinarian in the evaluation, examination and treatment of zoo animals; administers medications.
- Monitors and reports physical plan problems and fire/safety hazards; trained in CPR, first aid and crisis response, may discharge pepper spray or firearms.
- Provides for the psychological well-being of the animal collection by practicing, documenting and evaluating enrichment; recognizes and addresses abnormal or stereotypical behaviors, and applies the principles of operant conditioning to facilitate animal husbandry and veterinary procedures.
- Possesses sufficient strength, delicacy, agility and coordination to restrain, capture and/or transfer neonates, fragile or injured animals, or large and strong animals.
- May hand rear neonates at home and/or return to the zoo at night to care for sick or newborn animals.
- Assists in providing informational, promotional and educational programs to visitors and volunteers; may give tours to assist with training classes.
- Follows written and oral instructions.
- Adheres to the code of professional ethics of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
- Interact with guests with a cheerful and positive attitude, solve guest concerns in a proper manner, and maintain harmonious working relationships with fellow employees.
