Interactive Animal Program - Animal Care Assistant

Interactive Animal Program - Animal Care Assistant

Job Title: Interactive Animal Programs - Animal Care Assistant

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Hours: Part-Time; hours vary throughout the year: April - October: 3-5 days/week (25-40 hours/week); November - March: 1-2 days/week (5-10 hours/week). Work shift is typically 8:00am-5:30pm and will sometimes work evening events. Ideal candidates are available most weekends and holidays.

Pay Rate: $15.00/hour

About the role:

We are seeking entry-level Animal Care staff to provide basic animal care and ensure safe animal/guest interactions in the following interactive animal areas at the Zoo: African Goat Kraal, Aquarium Touch Pool, Butterfly and Insect Pavilion, Children’s Adventure Trails Goat Hills, Giraffe Encounter, and Stingray Beach. Ideal candidates must be excited to enter the animal care field, be team-oriented, have excellent people skills and attention to detail. This position reports directly to the Wild Kingdom Pavilion Supervisor in the Interactive Animal Programs department.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Ensure all guests follow protocols for proper exhibit experience and safe animal interaction to be in compliance with AZA and USDA standards.
• Execute all assigned animal care duties, under the direction of relevant area animal care staff. This includes animal habitat cleaning, conducting animal observations, daily food preparation, providing environmental enrichment and basic animal training, general upkeep of facilities, and maintaining daily reports.
• Support the mission of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium by inspiring, educating, and engaging guests about the animals in the exhibits.
• Assist Zoo guests with questions or guidance to enhance their visit and leave a lasting, positive impression.
• Perform quality work without direct supervision. 
• Exhibit good teamwork and communication skills both verbal and written within the home team and when working with other teams or departments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Able to learn relevant and factual information about a diverse group of animals.
• Able to initiate positive and engaging conversations with Zoo guests.
• Must be comfortable working with a diverse population of all ages and abilities.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude while balancing multiple priorities.
• Able to function independently or with the supervisor to manage guest questions; exhibits good judgment in making decisions.

Education and Experience:

• Must be at least 18 years of age or older.
• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Experience working with animals preferred.
• Familiarity with positive reinforcement animal training preferred.

Candidates might be (depending on position) required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative skin tuberculosis test, and possess a valid driver’s license with a good history.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Will sometimes work extended/odd hours including weekends, holidays and some evening programs.
• Position requires standing for extended periods, walking, and the ability to use hands to signal and feel.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop; kneel; crouch and/or crawl; talk and hear; occasionally sit; frequently lift a minimum of 20 - 25 lbs.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Work is performed mostly outdoors under all weather conditions.
• Working environments include exposure to salt water, fish, shellfish (shrimp), hay, and grass.

DISCLAIMER

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.

Qualifications

Salary : $15