Education Animal Keeper

Position Overview

• Performs daily animal husbandry and exhibit maintenance to ensure that USDA and AZA standards are met.
• Diet preparation.
• Creates and/or implements training plans as approved by the Education Supervisor.
• Provides daily enrichment following the goal based behavior schedule.
• Administer daily medications as directed.
• Observes opportunities to improve animal wellbeing.
• Observe and report basic animal health/behavior concerns.
• Assists in capture, restraint, and transport of animals.
• Become knowledgeable in the position’s role during emergency procedures.
• Remains current with new husbandry methodologies, techniques, and programs in order to transfer appropriate information to zoo staff.
• Assists in new arrivals to the animal ambassadors collection.
• Opportunity to serve on select committees at Wildlife Safari.

• Other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests in enthusiastic and sincere manner
• Distribute the daily encounter schedule
• Upsell park services as appropriate e.g. memberships, encounters, facility rental, etc.
• Answer guest questions
• Inspect vehicles, making sure they have gas and are ready for the day’s encounters
• Have the appropriate vehicle at the curb ready for the encounters
• Must use proper radio etiquette with Guest Services and animal departments of the number of guests signed up for encounters as well as encounter departures
• Help guests on and off vehicles and follow safety protocols
• Parks encounters vehicles in appropriate areas at the end of the day
• Conduct daily train and track safety inspection
• Check train fluids, wheels, safety belts and train cars for functionality

• • Seasonal camps
  • Safari School
  • Teen Junior Zookeeper
  • Overnights
  • On and off site outreach
  • Animal Presentations
• Handles education animal collection as trained.
• Monitors the public ensuring the safety of visitors and animals.
• Public speaking in diverse settings.
• Live media interviews with ambassador animal/s.
• Conducts guided tours of the facility’s Village and the drive through as trained.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Good physical health. Able to bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven surfaces. Ability to lift up to 50 (fifty) pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to work outdoors and indoors in extreme weather conditions.
• Candidates must be able to pass a drug test, including testing for marijuana and annual tuberculosis tests.
• Candidate must agree to a background check.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license with a minimum 3-year history and clean driving record.
• Ability to be a dedicated team player that is flexible, motivated, and has good communication skills.
• Requires strong animal care, interpersonal, and leadership skills and the ability to work effectively with all levels of staff.
• One year experience in an animal care field is preferred.
• Applicants with interpretive and/or informal/formal education experience is preferred.

Benefits

• Health and dental benefits after 60 days
• Aflac benefits
• Free membership with reciprocal zoo
• 40% off in Restaurant and Gift Shop
• Sick leave and paid time off
• Vet and vehicle services at cost
• Free animal encounters
• Employee parties throughout the year

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Wildlife Safari is a drug-free workplace and applicants must pass a drug screen (including for Marijuana) prior to being offered a position.

Wildlife Safari will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Wildlife Safari will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of physical or mental disability in regard to any position for which the applicant is qualified.