Facility
Dickerson Park Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
This position is a Tropical Asia Zoo Keeper employed through Friends of the Zoo of the Dickerson Park Zoo. The position will perform general husbandry duties as well as exhibit design, maintenance, and landscape work for the Tropical Asia area including Asian elephants, Siamangs, and Malayan tigers for Dickerson Park Zoo. Responsible for the safety, health, and wellbeing of assigned animals.
Important Functions include:
1. Observe and note animal behavior, including feeding, breeding, and social interactions and monitors such behavior to detect indicators of potential concerns or problems.
2. Provides husbandry training to all elephants in the Protected Contact management system and in accordance with facility elephant care protocols including health checks, blood collections, foot care, skin care and any other husbandry or veterinary procedures necessary for the health and wellbeing of the elephants.
3. Prepares routine reports periodically, documenting the daily activities and animal behavior.
4. Inspects and monitors assigned area to ensure the general health and safety of both the animals, visitors, and docents.
5. Cleans and disinfects animal exhibits and holding areas.
6. Monitors daily environmental conditions for animals such as temperature, rain, snow, etc.
7. Assists in designing animal husbandry/breeding programs including enrichment programs to improve animal welfare.
8. Feeds animals and prepare diets for assigned area when needed. Monitors and reports on overall animal health including dietary issues.
9. Assists in the care of sick and injured animals as outlined by the veterinarians and supervisors.
10. Participates in the design and repairs of exhibits and facilities necessary for animal displays and/or exhibit structures. Utilizes appropriate hand and power tools such as drills, skill saws, jackhammers, compressors, as well as other equipment required in the use of designing, constructing, and repairing animal exhibits and displays.
11. Provides tours, assists in educations presentations, and promotes other forms of public relations activities for the zoo.
12. Carriers out control measures for pests and predators.
13. Travels to various on- and off-site locations utilizing pick-ups or other light vehicles and equipment to deliver, transport, or obtain feed, materials, equipment, and supplies.
14. Attends conferences, workshops, seminars, and other training for professional development purposes such as AZA mandated Principles of Elephant Management.
15. Oversees the work of a volunteers or interns assigned to Tropical Asia.
16. Maintains order and cleanliness of service area, grounds, and other assigned spaces.
Performs related work as required.
Education and Pre-requisites
Typically requires two years of experience in an animal science related area including the care of domestic, native, or exotic animals.
Experience requirement must be commensurate with the specialty area associated with current vacancy.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
Direct experience with Elephant, large carnivore, or primate care
Directly related education and/or coursework
Must possess a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License
Physical Requirements
Performs frequent walking, bending, squatting, kneeling, climbing, and reaching both to ground level and overhead; lifts, carries, pushes, and pull up to 100 pounds for animals, bales of hay, sacks of feed, cartons and supplies, and other similar items; holds and grips objects, may be subjected to long periods of standing.
Working Environment
Primarily outdoors with exposure to dust, pollen, and water elements; subject to a variety of extreme weather conditions and temperatures due to working outdoors year-round; susceptible to mechanical hazards associated with tools and small equipment, may be subject to working in cramped spaces. Subject to safety hazards associated with caring for domestic, native, and exotic animals such as injuries from bites or other physical contact, susceptible to strong odors, fumes, and poor lighting. Possible exposure to disease due to contact with animals.
Miscellaneous Requirements
Subject to emergency call-in; must be able to work a flexible work schedule including weekends and/or holidays.
Compensation and benefits
This position is a Tropical Asia Zoo Keeper employed through Friends of the Zoo of the Dickerson Park Zoo.
Health, Dental, and Life Insurance, Uniform Allowance, Paid Time Off and more
Salary: $15.80 an hour or $32,864.00 annually.
Non-Exempt
Application instructions
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to tharrigan@springfieldmo.gov or by mail at
ATTN: Taylor Harrigan
Dickerson Park Zoo
3043 N. Fort Ave
Springfield, MO 65803.
Please list experience level working with dangerous animals including big cats and elephants.