Facility
Plumpton Park Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Zoo Keeper 1 will provide care and maintenance of the animals and their associated exhibits and holding areas. The Zoo Keeper 1 will report to his or her assigned Area Manager and the Assistant General Curator.
Essential Functions:
Primary Function:
Observe changes in animals’ appetite, disposition, habits, and in physical appearance and/or excreta to detect indications of stress or illness;
Inspect enclosures, fencing, pools, and furniture for cleanliness and/or structural defects and to perform minor repairs as needed;
Prepare diets for animals, clean and fill water containers, and place food in exhibits at specified times;
Clean facilities, exhibits, and associated animal areas according to the area protocols or as directed by management;
Transfer animals in accordance with departmental policy and standards from one enclosure to another for husbandry purposes;
Provide species appropriate and approved enrichment to animals;
Assist in data collection for approved research projects;
Provide routine maintenance of facilities and minor repair of equipment, exhibits, and all associated animal areas;
Maintain familiarity with all animal recapture and restraint equipment;
Capture and restrain animals for routine veterinary, emergency, training or husbandry, and management procedures;
Assist with medical care procedures and administer medication as directed;
Provide general maintenance of grounds in and around exhibits and associated facilities;
Act as a member of the Animal Recapture Team as needed and directed;
Drive to specified locations as needed;
Perform other duties as assigned; Adhere to all policies and procedures of the Zoo.
Communication (Internal and External):
Maintain reports on all animal conditions in daily reports, diary, records, etc.;
Provide regular updates to the Area Manager on the condition and status of the animal collection;
Attend Zoo general staff meetings and departmental meetings;
Interpret the Zoo to guests, donors, and zoo associates;
Attend all staff training sessions as directed; and,
Promote the mission of the Plumpton Zoo in Baltimore.
Unload and store commissary items; and,
Maintain equipment and tools in a good state of repair.
Education and Pre-requisites
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology, or related field preferred.
Experience/Training:
Three years of paid or unpaid professional animal experience, excluding pets, preferred.
Must possess a valid driver’s license; and,
Must be familiar with computer operations including Microsoft Office programs and data entry.
Traits Desirable:
Ability to work with a wide variety of individuals from ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds;
Ability to operate both independently and as part of a team in a productive and efficient manner with proper time management skills;
Extremely well organized;
Self-directed, collaborative, and detail oriented; and,
Possess a positive attitude and a general philosophy/outlook in line with the Zoo’s mission.
Equipment:
Must be able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including computer, telephone, radio, and vehicles, hand tools, animal restraint and capture devices, gardening/carpentry tools and machinery, computer, scales, etc.
Working Conditions:
Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 25 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb, balance;
Must be able to lift 75 pounds with assistance and 50 pounds unassisted as needed;
Must be able to travel large areas of the Zoo on foot as needed;
Ability to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays, and special events;
Must be able to stand and remain active for an eight hour shift;
Must be able to work in an outdoor weather environment in all seasons and weather, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions;
Must be able to climb a ladder carrying up to 15 pounds;
Exposure to zoonotic diseases and risk of animal attack;
Exposure to potential environmental hazards such as poison oak/ivy, uneven terrain, and insect bites/stings.
Compensation and benefits
$9/hr
Application instructions
Please send resume to Cheryl.ppz@gmail.com