Elephant Keeper

About the Role

This position is responsible for maintaining and caring for elephants and other assigned species, assisting veterinary staff as needed, and performing a variety of activities related to animal care and facility maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Feed and water animals in and around existing quarters; clean, sanitize, maintain, and repair animal quarters as required
• Prepare diets for animals; clean and maintain work area and food storage containers
• Maintain adequate records on daily activities; observe animal behavior for signs of illness, weight loss/gain, or injury; report any signs of illness or injury
• Assist veterinarians in minor operations or related activities, administer prescribed medications, submit fecal samples, and perform other duties as needed
• Assist in the training of assigned animals; guide animals through daily routines according to established training schedules and guidelines
• Carry out animal diet directives from the Nutritional Services Department; clean and maintain food storage containers
• Participate in the zoo-wide behavioral management program by implementing approved animal training and enrichment projects
• Participate in and implement approved research projects
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; resolve complaints efficiently and timely; present keeper talks to park visitors and media as required
• Assist in directing the proper restraint, crating, moving, and uncrating of animals
• Properly maintain exhibits, animal facilities, equipment, and life support systems as trained for specific positions
• Understand and implement operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under your care

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• One year of zoo keeping experience; elephant zoo keeping experience preferred
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain zoo standards of insurability
• Proof of negative tuberculosis (TB) screening within the previous six months prior to placement and annually thereafter
• Ability to work independently in the absence of immediate supervision
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, zoology, animal behavior, biology, ecology, psychology, or a related field preferred
• Specialized training in zoology or a related field desirable but not required

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 75 pounds

Work Environment

• Team-oriented environment
• Ability to work irregular hours, including holidays and weekends
• Exposure to a variety of domestic and wild or potentially dangerous animals, animal odors, and animal body fluids
• Exposure to all types of inclement weather conditions
• Exposure to chemicals (cleaning, water chemicals, additives, etc.)
• Ability to work special events and functions as required
• May be safety-sensitive
• May work around animals susceptible to specific diseases, requiring regular tuberculosis and rabies titer testing and routine use of personal protective equipment such as gloves and face masks

Benefits

• Medical and Prescription Drug coverage (Employee Coverage 90% Employer Paid, Dependent Coverage 55% Employer Paid)
• Vision and Dental coverage
• Basic Life and AD&D (100% Employer Paid)
• Short Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Long Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Supplemental Life
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401k
• Paid Time Off (Accrual equivalent to 5 weeks per year)
• PTO Rollover and PTO Sell Back options
• Free Zoo Membership
• Free Guest Passes
• Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission, and Programs