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Title

Aquatic Keeper II – Stingray Focus 

Category Collections/Exhibits  
Position HIIZ Keeper II - Aquatics  
Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time  
Compensation Initial Step is: $16.25/hr; position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement  
Description

The Herpetology, Ichthyology & Invertebrate Zoology Department is looking for an enthusiastic, creative, and collaborative individual to join its amazing team of Keepers!

Brief Summary of Position and Requirements

The applicant must have knowledge and experience in husbandry specific to Ichthyology. The focus of this position is with marine stingrays and associated exhibit and reserve areas. Knowledge and experience with saltwater systems (life support, water quality, and marine animal husbandry) in a professional animal care facility are required. Plumbing skills and pump replacement experience are preferred. This position is responsible for providing aquatic animal care and enrichment, monitoring animal health, working with department volunteers and interns, as well as maintaining orderliness of departmental areas. This position also serves as back-up support for other HIIZ keepers' aquatic service areas. This support may also include the care of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Some knowledge of the aforementioned terrestrial animals is desirable.

The candidate must be comfortable with developing and offering public presentations in a variety of settings. Knowledge of the Sonoran Desert region is desirable but not required. The successful candidate will be expected to continue to seek and acquire historic and current education/knowledge in related areas. The candidate must be a quick learner and self-motivating, requiring little supervision. Must be team oriented and have a demonstrated history of being courteous, sensitive and respectful.

The qualified candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in biology or related field. A minimum of three years' paid experience with aquatic fish husbandry and life support systems in a professional animal care facility (preferably an AZA accredited institution) is required for this position. A combination of education and applicable experience may also be considered. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Must be available to work weekends and holidays, in addition to occasional evenings/nights as required to meet ASDM’s operational needs. Satisfactory driving record and valid Arizona Driver's License (or ability to obtain) required.

Note: Application review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please understand that if offered a position, you will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen and provide the equivalent of a satisfactory 3-year Driver's History Record as a final condition of employment.

_______________________

Job Description
Job Title: Keeper II – Stingray Focus
Department: HIIZ
Reports To: Curator of Herpetology, Ichthyology and Invertebrate Zoology
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Bargaining Unit Position
Compensation: Initial Step is $16.25 per hour plus a comprehensive benefit package which includes medical, dental, vision, employer-funded health reimbursement account, life and LTD insurance, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement plan with Roth option, complimentary membership and guest passes, paid holidays, personal business time, sick leave, and vacation. Position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

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
  • 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)
  • 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.

 
Position Requirements

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 and a minimum of three years’ experience in a related field (preferably paid) at an AZA-accredited facility desirable; or an 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.

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.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
• Valid Arizona Driver's License or ability to obtain
• Satisfactory 39-month DMV report

Other Qualifications
Must be able to work holidays and weekends. Must demonstrate schedule flexibility according to department needs.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is often quiet, but hearing protection is occasionally required. Other personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required as directed.

The above description reflects a general overview of the responsibilities 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. The Museum is a drug and alcohol free workplace and participates in E-Verify.

 
Open Date 5/19/2023  
About the Organization

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 and 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.

The Desert Museum is ranked on TripAdvisor.com as one of the Top 10 Museums in the country and the #1 Tucson attraction. Unlike most museums, about 85% of the experience is outdoors!

Located in Tucson Mountain Park, just outside of Saguaro National Park (West), the 98-acre Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium.

  • 21 interpreted acres with two miles of walking paths through various desert habitats
  • 242 animal species
  • Plants from 1,200 taxa - 56,000 individual specimens
  • One of the world's most comprehensive regional mineral collections

Beyond merely an attraction, the Museum's conservation and research programs are providing important information to help conserve the Sonoran Desert region.

The Desert Museum's Art Institute inspires conservation through art education and gallery exhibits. The Museum's publishing division, ASDM Press, has produced over 40 books and guides on the natural and cultural history of the Sonoran Desert region.

 
EOE Statement The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is an equal opportunity institution. The Museum does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status in its policies and procedures relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.

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.

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. More information about our IDEA work and IDEA Coalition is available on our website. Please copy and paste, or enter, the following URL into your browser if you would like to see more: http://www.desertmuseum.org/idea/  

This position is currently accepting applications.

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