Facility
Oakland Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
POSITION OVERVIEW
A Supervising Primary Animal Keeper is a Senior/Lead level position in the Animal Care, Conservation and Research Department. This position is responsible for the daily management of a string caring for chimpanzees, hamadryas baboons, squirrel monkeys, gibbons, and wreathed hornbill, as well as supervising the string staff that includes primary, relief, floating, and apprentice keepers, plus interns, volunteers, and behavioral observers. This position requires excellent staff/volunteer supervision, animal training, time management, and prioritization skill sets. A Senior Animal Keeper must be an experienced keeper in the field with experience in the areas of animal care/management and supervision of paid staff and unpaid volunteers/interns, including team building, leadership training, and conflict management. Work ranges from the physical tasks associated with feeding, enrichment, training, and maintenance of the animals’ living areas to more analytical tasks of planning, record keeping, and communication. The Senior/Lead Animal Keeper is expected to have or develop the appropriate level of knowledge of the natural history and captive wildlife management under their care to insure the best possible physical and psychological well-being of the animals in his/her care. The Senior/Lead Animal Keeper is expected to be able to use the tools of animal observation, enrichment, training and other management methods to ensure the best possible psychological well-being of the animals in their care. S/he is expected to implement Department/Zoo priorities as well as demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements, which may include Departmental administrative tasks. S/he is expected to guide and support junior staff and volunteers as appropriate. The Senior/Lead Animal Keeper takes direction from the Zoological Manager and Department Director regarding daily operations as appropriate. S/he must also be able to represent the Zoo in a variety of public settings including press interviews, instructional classes, and casual communication with Zoo guests. The Senior/Lead Keeper is expected to be active as a department leader and can be expected to cover department function and emergency response coordination in the absence of Zoological Manager or Department Director. Other string duties and special projects can be assigned as needed.
Education and Pre-requisites
JOB REQUIREMENTS
1. At least 3 years full time experience in the care of captive wildlife in the zoo field, specifically primates and apes
2. Significant knowledge in the natural history and captive management of primates
3. Experience in a leadership and/or management role both with paid staff and unpaid volunteers/interns
4. Good physical condition; able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. (i.e. feed sack) and move a minimum of 120lbs.(i.e. hay bale)
5. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
6. Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays
7. Good written and verbal communications skills
8. Knowledge of the habits and hazards of working with wild animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while observing proper safety precautions
EXPERIENCE AND QUALITIES PREFERRED
1. Extensive knowledge and experience in behavioral training and enrichment theory and practical application with primates
2. Significant knowledge of safety and risk management in working with and around primates
3. Experience with capture and restraint techniques
4. Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology or a related field
Compensation and benefits
SALARY AND BENEFITS: $18.85/hour starting for Senior Keeper and $20.76/hour starting for Lead Keeper. Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance and 403B retirement benefits; two weeks of vacation and ten paid holidays annually.
Application instructions
TO APPLY:
Submit resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references; accepted via email only
Send to: Darren Minier, Assistant Director of Animal Care, Conservation, and Research: dminier@oaklandzoo.org
Candidates not meeting minimum requirements will not receive a response.
Applicants selected for candidacy are required to attend an on-site working interview.