Keeper II

Position: Keeper II

Reports To: Curator of Birds & Mammals

Position Summary: 

We are currently seeking candidates with a background in mammal, bird, and herp care. The position requires a dedicated individual who will take direction from the Curator of Endotherms as well as the Assistant Curators of Mammals and Birds in carrying out the daily tasks required. This includes all aspects of animal care including: husbandry, welfare, maintenance, and training. The position will participate in and assist with the development of the mammal, reptile and bird training programs, which will consist of behavioral demonstrations presented to the public on a scheduled basis.  

Qualifications:  

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology or related field and a minimum of two years of professional experience working with animals in a zoo or aquarium setting. 
•  In lieu of a college degree, a GED/High School diploma and a minimum of five years of experience working with animals in a zoo or aquarium setting required.  
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which will include weekends, evenings, and holidays. 

Critical Skills/Competencies: 

• Experience with a wide range of taxa preferred.
• Scuba diving experience/certification preferred.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Provides for the needs of all animal collection including cleaning, feeding, enrichment and training of animals without supervision once trained. 
• Maintains detailed records pertaining to feeding, exhibit conditions, water quality analysis, behavioral observations, training activities, enrichment and medical procedures. 
• Actively assesses welfare and needs of animals. 
• Able to compose protocols and SOPs relevant to the job 
• Assists in training new animal behaviors through positive reinforcement techniques 
• Inputs data into Google Drive spreadsheets, ZIMs, and other program logs in a professional and timely manner. 
• Cooperates with veterinarian and staff for animal health issues, treatments, and veterinary procedures, transfers and crating.  
• Acts as a resource for Keeper I staff members as well as non-husbandry staff.  
• At the direction of supervisors, interact with and respond to public/media requests for information. 
• Participates in various promotional events for the organization as required 
• Presents a high level of professional oral and written communication. 
• Maintains a professional attitude, high motivation, and ability to give and receive feedback. 
• Maintains proper time management: ability to avoid overtime, prioritize, plan, and multitask. 
• Identifies problems and brings them to the attention of supervisory staff. 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: 

• Valid driver’s license.  
• CPR/First Aid certification or the ability to obtain it in-house upon employment.  
• Must possess current, negative TB test results or obtain prior to start.  

Special Working Conditions:  

Must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds, stand for long periods of time and drive aquarium vehicles. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, reach or feel and manipulate objects or controls. The employee is frequently required to sit, walk distances, climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch and stand for long periods for time.   

While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time. The overall work environment while performing this job includes exposure to weather conditions and the noise level is usually moderate. The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.

https://livingplanetaquarium.org/jobs/