Zookeeper I/II - Animal Ambassador

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under supervision, responsible for the daily care and management of ambassador animals, contributing to educational programming, and providing support to zoo commissary services.  Assist in a variety of commissary duties and responsibilities. Zookeeper I/II employees have access to controlled substances in the performance of their job duties. Therefore, employees are required to not have any previous felony convictions related to a controlled substance.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The Zookeeper I exercises no direct supervision over other employees but trains and mentors Zoo Teens from the Zoo Teen Program and volunteers on ambassador animal care, handling, presenting, and husbandry practices.

Zookeeper II provides guidance and training to junior staff, Zoo Teens, and volunteers on general animal husbandry, training and care.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

All listed Important and Essential duties at the lower levels are required at the higher levels.

Perform daily husbandry tasks for ambassador animals, including feeding, cleaning, and maintaining enclosures.

Observe animal behavior and welfare on both a day to day and long term basis with the ability to note normal and unusual behavior, as well as perceive changes in an animal’s injury, health, or appetite concerns and report to Ambassador Supervisor or Education Manager.

Prepare, store, and distribute animal diets and foods following feeding guidelines; assist Zoo Veterinarians in evaluating dietary needs and changes of zoo animals according to established USDA and zoo policies.

Create, schedule, and deliver informal and formal programming and opportunities throughout the year with the direction of the Education Manager.

Work collaboratively with the Education team to design and implement programs and presentations directly related to our collection and conservation messages.

Support the development and delivery of programming for special events.

Actively seek up-to-date and innovative methods for animal ambassador care, well-being and behavioral management.

Actively seek up-to-date information on informal education methodologies and trends.

Prepare diets, manage inventory, and ensure food safety and quality standards for ambassador animals.

Oversight of commissary procedures, processes, and safety.

Maintain lawn and landscaping within animal exhibits and assist horticulture staff with landscaping outside of animal exhibits.

Zookeeper II

Oversee routine medical care and health monitoring of ambassador animals.

Deliver and maintain a robust enrichment plan and behavioral management program for all animals in the collection including operant conditioning training and environmental enrichment

Lead animal handling and presentations, ensuring high-quality educational experiences

Assist with daily commissary operations to include training new staff and volunteers, review inventory and complete ordering as needed, and maintaining daily records and updates.

Oversee and coordinate specialized diet preparation and inventory management.

Provide routine maintenance and assist in the construction of exhibits and facilities; request maintenance assistance in repairing damaged areas or zoo facilities through work orders.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Actively seek out and participate in professional development opportunities as approved by Management.

Perform other duties as assigned by the zoo management team on specific departmental needs or zoo wide needs and responsibilities and work collaboratively with other zoo staff and departments.

Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

All listed Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities at the lower levels are required at the higher levels.

Zookeeper I

Knowledge of:

General animal care and behavior

Hazards and inherent dangers involved in working with zoo animals.

Skill to:

Operate commercial grade food prep equipment, lawn maintenance equipment (gas and electric), and animal husbandry items like an incubator.

Safely operate City vehicle and/or motorized equipment (UTV, gators and golf carts) with safe driving principles and practices.

Ability to:

Learn the diet and nutritional requirements of zoo animals.

Learn to respond to an animal or public-related emergency to prevent injury.

Learn to open, enter, exit, and secure animal enclosures, and service areas.

Learn to net, capture, and/or restrain animals of extreme size, strength, and agility.

Learn to handle, examine, and move without harming sick, injured, and/or struggling small animals.

Safely operate lawn and maintenance equipment.

Follow and carry out specific oral and written instructions.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Zookeeper II

Knowledge of:

Specific Zoo policies and procedures.

Diet and nutritional requirements of Zoo animals.

Capture and/or restraint animals of extreme size, strength, and agility.

 

Safe husbandry practices and procedures.

Skill to:

Learn the area and the management of zoo animals.

Clearly and concisely relay information to staff and facilitate consistent communication to management.

Demonstrate leadership and initiative through working with other staff members, participating on committees, and attending professional development courses.

Ability to:

Participate on AZA Committees, as needed and as participation aligns to job related responsibilities.

Respond to an animal or public-related emergency to prevent injury.

Open, enter, exit, and secure animal enclosures, and service areas.

Net, capture, and/or restrain animals of extreme size, strength, and agility.

Handle, examine, and move without harming sick, injured, and/or struggling small animals.

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.  Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Zookeeper I

Experience:

At least one (1) year of animal ambassador, zookeeper, or animal husbandry experience in a professional zoological setting is required. Paid experience is preferred but intern or volunteer equivalent may be accepted. 

Education/Training:

A high school diploma or GED is required.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver’s license; the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

 

Zookeeper II

Experience:

Two (2) years of animal ambassador, zookeeper, or animal husbandry experience in a professional zoological setting is required.

Education/Training:

A college degree with a background in psychology, zoology, or animal science is preferred.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Bloodborne Pathogens training and HazCom training are required within sixty (60) days of employment. 

First Aid/CPR certification and recertification are required following employment.

Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, and climb.

Ability to display adequate field of vision and auditory acuity to be aware of animals or vehicles approaching from the rear.

Exposure to cold, heat, outdoors, and chemicals.

Ability to travel to different sites.

Be willing to work a flexible schedule to include weekdays, weekends, evenings, overnight and holidays.

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___     Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___     Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

___     Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

_X_     Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___     Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes:  The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

N         =          No

E         =          Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M         =          Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I           =          Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A         =          Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

_M_    Standing

_I__    Sitting

_M_    Walking

_M_    Lifting

_M_    Carrying

_M_    Pushing/Pulling

_I__    Overhead Work

_I__    Fine Dexterity

_M_    Kneeling

_M_    Crouching

_I__    Crawling

_M_    Bending

_I__    Twisting

_I__    Climbing

_I__    Balancing

_E_     Vision

_E_     Hearing

_E_     Talking

___     Other:  ________________________