Apprentice Animal Keeper (Full-time)

About the role

Under close supervision, participates in all aspects of daily animal care and maintenance of particular exhibits.

Essential Functions

• Provides daily care to animals and their enclosures, including cleaning, feeding, watering, securing, grooming (i.e., domestic animals), observing, animal training and enrichment, record keeping and maintaining exhibits.
• Participates in required lectures, seminars and workshops as part of their apprenticeship.
• Advances zoo mission through participation in conservation programs - assists in development and delivery of educational programs formally through Education Department, and informally through interaction with zoo guests; assists with tours for guests, staffs and volunteers; may assist in research projects.
• Cleans and maintains animal exhibits including use of chemical agents and special tools which are used to ensure the health and safety of the animals as well as the proper presentation to the public.
• Maintains animal exhibits for less dangerous species under the supervision and discretion of the lead keeper. Exhibits housing more dangerous animals will not be maintained until the later stages of the probationary period.
• Under close supervision, maintains excellence in exhibit display including furnishing, modifying and performing minor repairs and upkeep as appropriate.
• With supervision, prepares and distributes animal diets as determined by animal management staff.
• Humanely dispatches live feed items.
• Shifts and manually restrains animals other than common domestics or exotics used in handling programs under close supervision and in the immediate presence of a qualified animal keeper during the initial 2 months of the apprenticeship.
• Under close supervision, administers therapeutics as prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Maintains an inventory of equipment and supplies.
• Adheres to established animal handling and related safety guidelines. Participates in established animal escape drills and procedures.
• May be assigned jobs that require coordination with other zoo departments.
• Additional Responsibilities:
• Apprentice keepers assigned to evening or night shift will devote most of their time to observing selected zoo animals for possible problems or births, assisting keepers with the administration of prescribed medications and night feedings and milking, delivering feed to animal areas, keeping records and assisting with zoo security.
• May have direct responsibility for a specialized aspect of assigned animal collection.
• Other duties as assigned to maintain efficient and quality zoo operations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain on feet for long periods of time.
• Ability to regularly perform a variety of physical tasks that include but are not limited to climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and crawling.
• Physical strength, including ability to frequently move up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Ability to work in small, confined spaces.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to wear requisite Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that may include rubber/latex gloves, steel-toed boots/shoes, face shields, eye goggles.
• No allergy related to plants or animals that may interfere with the ability to work.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch balance and ability of movement that might interfere with ability to work.
• No allergy related to plants or animals that may interfere with the ability to work.
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch balance and ability of movement that might interfere with ability to work.

Education Requirements

• Graduation from a high school or the equivalent (GED) is required.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Biological Sciences (i.e. Biology, Zoology, Ecology) or a closely related discipline is preferred.

Experience Requirements

• Previous experience performing animal care activities in a zoo, aquarium or like institution is desirable.
• Experience in designated taxonomic area preferred.

Pay

$19.37/hr