Provisional Senior Wild Animal Keeper, Central Park Zoo

About the role

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean.

The Provisional Senior Wild Animal Keeper will perform authorized activities necessary for the safe, proper, and humane management and maintenance of the animal collection, exhibits, holding facilities, and associated service.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and provide leadership in the assigned section of the zoo, taking responsibility for daily animal care activities of keepers, trainees or interns as assigned, and be responsible for the exhibit appearance in the section.
• Perform and supervise safe, proper, and humane care of assigned animals according to established protocols or under the direction of the supervisory/curatorial staff.
• Prepare and supervise animal diets according to established protocols or under the direction of the supervisory/curatorial staff.
• Perform and supervise safe and proper maintenance of assigned animal exhibits, holding facilities, and associated service areas according to established protocols or under the direction of the supervisory/curatorial staff.
• Assist curatorial/supervisory staff in developing safe, proper, and humane protocols for the management and maintenance of the animal collection, exhibits, holding facilities, and associated service areas.
• Participate in the modification and enhancement of animal exhibits under the direction of supervisory/curatorial staff.
• Inspect animal exhibits, holding facilities, and associated service areas to ensure that they are clean, well-lit, properly ventilated, properly heated or cooled, and that all mechanical systems are operating properly.
• Observe assigned animals for any changes in activity pattern, social behavior, feeding behavior, and food preference, any abnormal behavior or evidence of injury and illness, any indications of sexual behavior or sexual cycle.
• Maintain life history cards and other assigned recordkeeping.
• Carry out the curator and veterinarian's instructions for the care of sick and injured animals and summarize required procedures in a daily report submitted to the supervisory/curatorial staff.
• Participate in CPZ animal behavior programs to facilitate animal management and to enhance and enrich the daily lives of the animals in our care.
• Aid the general public and provide information concerning the Central Park Zoo, guest services, exhibits, and the animal collection.
• Enforce the Central Park Zoo's guest rules and regulations.

Qualifications

• Valid current driver's license (preferred).
• Computer proficiency required.
• Some experience with animal management software such as ZIMS, Tracks, MedArks, etc.
• Bachelor's Degree with major in biology or a related field with three years recent, full time paid experience in the handling, feeding and care of animals in a zoo or on a stock farm with experience supervising animal care staff OR an equivalent combination of education or experience.
• Ability to represent WCS in a professional manner and to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with employees, colleagues, City and other government agencies, outside contractors, and the general public.

Physical Requirements

The position requires outdoor work in all weather conditions. Tasks require manual dexterity and ability to safely use tools (e.g. drill, wire cutters, computer keyboard) and operate equipment. Some tasks require climbing, kneeling, bending, navigating uneven terrain, and moderate lifting up to 50 pounds. Ability and willingness to work weekends, holidays, evenings and special events as the schedule demands.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $54,473.00 per year.