Keeper - Jungle

Description

Job Title: Keeper - Jungle 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 

Hours: Full-time 

Pay Rate: Starts at $18.15/hour

Job Description: 

The Jungle Keeper provides daily husbandry and behavioral management for all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, with a strong emphasis on New World and African-Eurasian Primates. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, daily husbandry and care associated with feeding and cleaning animal enclosures. Candidate must excel in a fast-paced and highly changing environment. 

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions (including but not limited to): 

• Carries out all aspects of the daily care of assigned animals including cleaning, feeding, exhibit maintenance, general upkeep of support facilities.  

• Observes behavior of animals on both a day-to-day and long-term basis; notes any unusual behavior, signs of illness or injury, change in appetite, start of breeding cycle, or lack of compatibility with group members and reports same to Zoo Supervisor.

• Answers questions or gives information regarding animals, zoo operations, and zoo exhibits to the visiting public; maintains crowd control when animals are loose or being moved; observes the public to prevent malicious acts which could result in harm to the public, or zoo animals or loss of zoo property. 

• Assists in the crating and uncrating of animals; catches and restrains as necessary; may assist in transfer between locations. 

• Maintains clean and organized exhibits, holding areas, service areas and equipment. 

• Prepare, store and distribute food according to established feeding practices and diet sheet amounts; monitor feeding habits and report any changes or abnormalities; monitor food levels to assure sufficient quantities. 

• Administers prescribed medications, supplements, or treatments under the guidance of the veterinary and supervisory staff. 

• Maintains daily reports, logs, training and enrichment records, research or veterinary records, as appropriate and according to established guidelines; requires basic skills with Microsoft Office software.   

• Understands and applies a practical understanding of operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under employee's care. 

• Understands and applies the basic principles of animal enrichment as part of the daily management of species under employee's care. 

• As appropriate, maintains water quality through filtration, balance of chemical elements, and sanitation methods for aquatic or semi-aquatic animal species. Maintain pumps, filters, filtration devices and various testing equipment. 

• Maintains live exhibit plantings to enhance exhibit aesthetics; eliminates weeds and toxic plants from animal enclosures. 

• In conjunction with the Zoo’s Integrated Pest Management Specialist, may assist in pest control through the use of exclusion or traps. 

• Identifies potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to the Zoo Supervisor. 

• Participates in keeper chats, tours, animal presentations or demonstrations, and/or other public interactions as requested by the Supervisor. 

• Provide work direction and assist in training interns and volunteers as assigned. 

• Maintain a safe environment for all employees, animals, and guests. This includes following zoo two keeper policies, using personal protective equipment, and safe equipment operation. Employee must have a valid state driver’s license and follow OSHA standards regarding work place safety.  

• Exhibits good teamwork and communication skills both verbal and written within the home team and when working with other teams or departments. 

• 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. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Working knowledge of natural history, biology, captive husbandry, and conservation issues as they apply to a wide variety of mammals and birds.  

• Must be individually and independently motivated to continue expanding their knowledge base as it applies to desert and nocturnal mammals and birds. 

• Operant conditioning and enrichment experience preferred. 

• Excellent communication skills. Public speaking experience preferred. 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as well as knowing when to delegate tasks. 

• Requires excellent time management and staff/volunteer supervision skill sets. 

• Creative, positive, and self-motivated. 

Work Environment/Physical Demands 

• Will sometimes work extended/odd hours including weekends, holidays and some night programs. 

• Must be able to travel long distances across the zoo on foot and in motor vehicles. 

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time. 

• Must be able to sit, kneel, bend, twist, stoop, crawl, reach above head and climb. 

• Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally up to 80 pounds, using safe and proper lifting methods. 

Travel Required 

• Some travel may occur.

Education and Experience 

• Previous experience with a wide variety of mammal and bird species in an AZA institution is preferred.   

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Animal Science, Behavior or related field is preferred. 

• Working knowledge of natural history, biology, captive husbandry, and conservation issues as they apply to a wide variety of mammals and birds.  

• Must be individually and independently motivated to continue expanding their knowledge base as it applies to desert and nocturnal mammals and birds. 

• Operant conditioning and enrichment experience preferred. 

• Excellent communication skills. Public speaking experience preferred. 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as well as knowing when to delegate tasks. 

• Requires excellent time management and staff/volunteer supervision skill sets.   

• Creative, positive, and self-motivated 

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 : $18