Senior Wild Animal Keeper, Queens Zoo

About the role

To perform any authorized activity 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, overseeing daily animal‑care activities of keepers, trainees, or interns.
• Maintain exhibit appearance in the assigned section.
• Perform and supervise safe, proper and humane care of assigned animals according to established protocols or under direction of supervisory/curatorial staff.
• Prepare and supervise animal diets in accordance with established protocols or supervisory direction.
• Perform and supervise safe and proper maintenance of assigned animal exhibits, holding facilities and service areas; routine tasks include watering plants, clearing and cleaning drains/catches, changing lightbulbs, and cleaning exhibit glass.
• Assist curatorial/supervisory staff in developing safe, proper and humane protocols for managing the animal collection, exhibits, and facilities.
• Provide on‑the‑job training and guidance to other employees as needed.
• Participate in modification and enhancement of animal exhibits, including installation of plant material, perches, rocks, logs, monitoring water quality, adding substrates, and cleaning exhibit glass where maintenance staff lack access.
• Inspect exhibits, holding facilities and service areas to ensure cleanliness, proper lighting, ventilation, temperature control, and functional mechanical systems; report any deficiencies.
• Make minor repairs necessary to assure safe, proper and humane animal management.
• Observe assigned animals for changes in activity, social or feeding behavior, abnormal signs, injury, illness, or sexual cycles; summarize observations in a daily report.
• Maintain life‑history cards and other records; promptly report anything requiring immediate action.
• Carry out curator and veterinarian instructions for the care of sick or injured animals and document procedures in a daily report.
• Submit daily reports summarizing events, staff activities, maintenance needs, and required supplies or equipment.
• Participate in Queens Zoo animal‑behavior programs to facilitate management and enrich animal welfare.
• Develop and apply animal‑conditioning skills and techniques; maintain behavior criteria through observation, listening and training.
• Adopt a proactive approach to behavioral husbandry, anticipating issues and consulting with supervisors/curators.
• Implement department programs to condition behaviors and acclimate both naïve and experienced animals to exhibits.
• Provide special attention to making animals more visible to guests.
• Assist zoo guests and provide information about the Queens Zoo, guest services, exhibits and the animal collection.
• Enforce Queens Zoo visitor rules and regulations.
• Perform other related tasks and duties as directed by supervisory/curatorial staff.

Qualifications

• Valid current driver’s license (preferred).
• Computer proficiency required.
• Experience with animal‑management software such as ZIMS, Trax, MedArks, or similar.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field with three years of recent, full‑time paid experience handling, feeding and caring for animals in a zoo or stock farm, including supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to represent Wildlife Conservation Society professionally and maintain positive, effective relationships with employees, colleagues, city and other government agencies, contractors, and the public.

Physical requirements

• Outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Manual dexterity and safe use of tools (e.g., drill, wire cutters, computer keyboard) and equipment.
• Tasks may require climbing, kneeling, bending, navigating uneven terrain, and moderate lifting up to 50 lb.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, holidays, evenings and special events as schedule demands.

Pay

$54,473.00 per year

Schedule

Work includes weekends, holidays, evenings, and special events as needed.