Keeper II - Interpretive Animal Collection

Keeper II - Interpretive Animal Collection

Join the Adventure at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum!

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has an opening for a highly motivated, flexible individual with strong communication and interpersonal skills as a Keeper II to join the Interpretive Animal Collection team.

This keeper will be responsible for the daily care of about 70 individual animals representing 32 species of reptiles, amphibians, birds, invertebrates, and mammals under 25 pounds. Daily tasks include preparing diets, administering medication, providing basic husbandry and enrichment, training, and record keeping. Other tasks include, but are not limited to, performing minor maintenance to enclosures, training volunteers, aiding the veterinary team for medical procedures, and conducting both formal and informal presentations for large and small audiences of museum guests. The candidate must be able to perform physical work under all types of climatic conditions.

To maintain a positive work environment, candidates must be team-oriented, able to work well with a variety of personalities, and be open to the ideas and opinions of others. Strong public speaking skills and a background in exotic animal care and operant conditioning are vital to this position.

This position is considered open until filled; however, application review will begin immediately. Please understand that if offered a position, you will, as a final condition of employment, be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen and provide a satisfactory 39-month DMV report.

Job Title: Keeper II

Department: Animal Experiences – Interpretive Animal Collection 

Reports To: Curator

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Bargaining Unit Position

Compensation: $19.13 per hour plus a comprehensive benefit package, which includes medical, dental, vision, life and LTD insurance, FSA, HRA, 403(b) retirement plan with Roth option, complimentary membership and guest passes, paid holidays, personal business time, sick leave, and vacation. 

Summary

Ensures animal welfare and institutional support by performing the duties below. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties will be assigned.

• Prepares food for charges by chopping or grinding meat, fish, fruit, or vegetables; mixing prepared, dry, or liquid commercial feeds, or unbaling forage grasses per department practices and protocols.

• Cleans and fills water containers and places food in enclosures per department practices and protocols.

• Adds vitamins, medications or supplements to food or water as prescribed by ASDM's Veterinarian.

• Observes animals to detect illnesses or injuries and notifies Curator or ASDM's Veterinarians of findings. Will promptly notify Curator or veterinary team of issues and concerns.

• Assists ASDM's Veterinarians and Veterinary Technician in treatment of animals for illnesses and injuries.

• Will perform injection of prescribed medications after appropriate training from ASDM veterinary staff or Vet Technician.

• Cleans and disinfects animals' quarters per department practices and protocols.

• Will assist with developing desired animal behaviors per department practices and protocols.

• Will be involved in the training of co-workers..

• Will be involved with the training, management and certification of volunteers

• Under curatorial direction, transfers Collection animals from one location or enclosure to another for purposes such as rearrangement of exhibits, veterinary needs, or programs.

• Sets temperature and humidity controls of quarters as specified per department practices and protocols.

• Answers visitor questions concerning animal habits, conservation, or museum operations.

• Participates in educational activities as required, (i.e., Docent classes, ADC, Art Institute, media).

• May be responsible for training volunteers, Docents and Education staff on how to work with interpretive animals.

• Assists other collection departments, maintenance, and exhibits staff when required.

• May assist in the collection of specimens and exhibit materials per ASDM guidelines.

• Will provide and create approved environmental enrichment, following AZA guidelines and per department practices and protocols.

• Will participate in formal presentations at ASDM or off-site, (i.e., Keeper talks, theater programs, behind-the-scenes tours).

• Will complete on-line annual training as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

There are no staff supervisory responsibilities associated with this position. However, this position may supervise and/or provide direction to volunteers assisting with Keeper duties.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year College or university; and one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. 

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. 

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have basic computer software knowledge to include word processing, data base, and spreadsheet applications.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the Sonoran Desert region highly desirable.

• Knowledge of zoo facilities and operations desirable.

• Knowledge of natural history, safe animal capture and handling, husbandry, and ecosystems required.

• Must be able to work holidays and weekends.

• Must demonstrate schedule flexibility according to department needs.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Arizona Driver’s License or ability to obtain

• Satisfactory 39-month DMV report

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The above description reflects a general overview of the responsibilities, reporting relationships, and position requirements for this job classification. It is not intended to be a complete description of all duties and requirements that may be inherent in the position.

IDEA Commitment
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is committed to fostering a welcoming space and a diverse, inclusive team that reflects the communities in which we live and work. We understand that inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) are integral to the fulfillment of our mission, and to our success as an organization. To that end, we are working to build the structures, policies, hiring practices and organizational culture that ensure representation and opportunity for all, and create an environment of belonging where everyone feels respected, safe, and understood. Additionally, as we continue to engage in this work, we are working to integrate the core values of IDEA into our programs, exhibits, communications, and other public offerings. Valuing each other’s differences brings us together to create a thriving workplace and fair work culture, allowing us to fulfill our mission more effectively.

We believe inclusion is everyone’s responsibility. Ways in which commitment is demonstrated include continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively addressing bias. Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s IDEA page to learn more.

The Museum’s IDEA Coalition consists of staff members who are driving our efforts to build a culture where people feel they belong and have a voice.

ABOUT US
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a non-profit institution dedicated to the conservation and research of the Sonoran Desert region with the goal of making the Sonoran Desert accessible, understandable and valued. We are a fusion experience zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, art gallery, natural history museum, and research institute. The Association of Zoos & Aquariums has recognized the Desert Museum for over 25 years of continuous accreditation.

The mission of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.

Salary : $19