Animal Diet Technician

About the role

The Animal Diet Technician position is located within the Nashville Zoo's Commissary Area and reports to the Commissary Area Supervisor. This role plays a crucial part in the daily operation of the zoo, focusing on the preparation and delivery of diets for all animals.

Responsibilities

• Accurately prepare diets in accordance with departmental specifications.
• Drive a zoo vehicle for the retrieval and delivery of supplies and materials.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Model the organization's values in all interactions with colleagues, guests, and stakeholders.
• Unload various supplies from trucks and vendors using a pallet jack when needed.
• Maintain clean and sanitary conditions of food preparation areas.
• Operate various types of equipment in the performance of duties.
• Maintain effective communication with co-workers and supervisors.
• Interact and communicate with coworkers, immediate supervisor, vendors, veterinarians, and visitors as needed.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Zoo, animal diet, and/or kitchen prep experience is desirable.
• Knowledge of safety practices while handling sharp kitchen utensils.
• Ability to receive, understand, and carry out verbal and written instruction, direction, and assignments.
• Ability to perform physical work activities in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to self-direct work tasks while ensuring safety and productivity.
• Ability to communicate and cooperate with employees and to deal with the public in an effective and positive manner.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Ability to write and present professional presentations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and comfortable with public speaking.

Skills

• Knowledge of animal diet preparation and animal diet terminology.
• Ability to receive, understand, and carry out verbal and written instruction, direction, and assignments.
• Ability to perform physical work activities in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to self-direct work tasks while ensuring safety and productivity.
• Ability to communicate and cooperate with employees and to deal with the public in an effective and positive manner.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Ability to write and present professional presentations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and comfortable with public speaking.

Physical Responsibilities

• Frequently stand and walk for most of an 8–10-hour shift.
• Regularly bend, kneel, reach, and perform repetitive motions while cleaning habitats, preparing diets, and providing enrichment.
• Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 lbs and occasionally up to 75 lbs with assistance, as well as navigate ladders, stairs, uneven terrain, and wet or slippery surfaces.
• Strong hand dexterity, clear verbal communication, and adequate vision and hearing are essential to safely observe animals, operate tools and gates, and use radios.
• Routine exposure to animal dander, hay, dust, insects, loud noises, strong odors, and cleaning agents.
• Routine exposure to biological hazards, zoonotic diseases, and potentially dangerous animals.
• May require wearing PPE such as gloves, protective footwear, eye and hearing protection, and respirators as assigned.
• Schedules often include early mornings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime based on animal needs.
• Depending on assignments, a valid driver’s license and ability to operate facility vehicles may be required.
• Vaccinations, TB testing, or respirator fit testing may be necessary per policy.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Work Schedule

Part time hours: 6:00am to approx. 11:00am. Flexibility: Position may require flexibility in working hours to accommodate special events, emergencies, or animal care needs. Must have flexibility to be available to work weekends.