Love animals? Want to make a positive impact on the planet? Come join Woodland Park Zoo as an Animal Keeper. We have 10, temporary, non-benefitted positions open.
SUMMARY
Responsible for providing direct animal care within assigned areas of the zoo.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assess animals daily to ensure they are properly cared for and secured.
- Observe animal behavior, report abnormal behavior patterns and provide technical advice to management and staff.
- Prepare food for and feed assigned animals according to approved diet plans.
- Clean and disinfect assigned animal and exhibit areas.
- Follow treatment plans and preventive health programs as prescribed by Zoo Veterinarian or Zoo Curators.
- Identify and communicate safety concerns to management in a timely manner.
- Participate in the capture and restraint of animals as directed by management.
- Implement animal care procedures and policies, including record keeping.
- Maintain supply inventories.
- Assist with the physical transfer of animals.
- Support special animal care activities such as physical examinations, minor exhibit repairs and modifications, and major exhibit maintenance projects.
- Assist in development and implementation of behavioral husbandry program.
- Plan, prepare, and conduct public presentations on animal care and conservation.
- Participate in exhibit design process and implementation, as directed.
- Provide technical assistance to internal or external researchers conducting authorized zoo studies.
- Represent the Woodland Park Zoo to the media, as directed.
- Conduct behind the scenes tours, as directed.
- Support fundraising/development efforts of the zoo.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
No supervisory responsibilities.
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.
- This position may require that the individual be available or on-call 24-hours a day.
- Weekend, evening, and holiday work may be required.
- Commitment to the mission of the zoo and the institution’s Core Values.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in a life sciences field from an accredited four-year college or university; and two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
- Valid US driver’s license required.
- TB Test done annually.
COMPUTER SKILLS
Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office required.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from visitors, media, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or professional organizations.
MATHEMATICAL ABILITY
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
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.
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 position requires an ability to walk or transit across the 92-acre facility in variable weather conditions and enter non-public behind the scenes staff areas.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl while cleaning animal exhibits. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds when cleaning and maintaining exhibitry and moving animals. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Evaluating animal health, diet, or environment requires hearing, smell, and a variety of vision capabilities. Interaction with visitors and animals requires talking and hearing.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather) and variable weather conditions. The employee is repeatedly in direct contact with exotic animals. The employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; work in high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The position spends some time at a computer monitor.
The noise level in the work environment varies. Occasional loud noises from visitors, animals or equipment are experienced.
Pay: $28.33 per hour
Employment Requirements:
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history. A criminal background check, driving record review, pre-employment physical, and pre-employment tuberculosis test will be required of the selected applicant. This role is not remote. Succesful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
Application Directions: Applications are accepted online through our Jobs Page at zoo.org/jobs; no other forms of application will be accepted. Cover letter and resume are required.
Temporary employees are eligible for the following:
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
- 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Sick Leave Accrual
- Working for an organization that cares about wildlife conservation!
Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in application and employment for any reason, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability or medical status including genetic information, and/or veteran’s status.
Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all of its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.
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