Subject to collective bargaining agreement
SUMMARY: Under general supervision, has responsibility for the care, welfare and safety of animal exhibits including rare or valuable specimens; maintains the physical quarters, surroundings and/or environment of such animals; answers questions and gives information to the visiting public; and performs related duties as required. Requires responsibility for: carrying out existing methods and procedures relating to care, maintenance, safety of valuable and/or rare species and making numerous contacts with the public and other employees.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Cleans and maintains enclosures, cages, stalls, moats, barns, pools, yards, roads and related areas; removes animal excrement and food remnants; rakes sand and leaves; sweeps and hoses down area as necessary.
- Prepares food for animals; regulates and distributes food once prepared; loads and unloads foodstuffs; maintains feed and storage areas.
- Observes behavior of animals on both a day-to-day and long-term basis; notes any unusual behavior, signs of illness or injury, change in appetite, start of breeding cycle, or lack of compatibility with group members and reports same to Veterinarian or supervisory personnel; assists in administering medication or other treatments for illness or injury as directed.
- Answers questions or gives information regarding animals, zoo operations, and zoo exhibits to the visiting public; maintains crowd control when animals are loose or being moved; observes the public to prevent malicious acts which could result in harm to the public, or zoo animals or loss of zoo property.
- Assists in the crating and uncrating of animals; catches and restrains as necessary; may assist in transfer between locations.
- Designs and builds displays within existing enclosures; assists with the planning and care of landscaped areas within or near enclosures; makes minor and emergency repairs to zoo equipment and facilities; assists maintenance personnel in repair or maintenance work.
- Prepares and maintains food, drives a vehicle to deliver equipment, materials or supplies; or performs related duties as required.
- Interacts with Zoo visitors and staff courteously and offers proper attention at all times.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: The San Francisco Zoo encourages bilingual candidates to apply.
EDUCATION: High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
EXPERIENCE: Must have a minimum of 3 years PAID experience in an AZA accredited institution working with large carnivores. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups. Ability to work in a team environment and be a team player. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: A valid Drivers License.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to potentially hazardous animals. May involve exposure to possible serious accidents or injury and to very disagreeable working conditions in handling dangerous or sick animals or raw sewage and other refuse.
SALARY: $21.80 – $26.41
TO APPLY: Please complete an application at www.sfzoo.org. Please include a resume and letter of interest detailing your experience as it relates to this position. EOE.