Facility
Oakland Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
A Senior Keeper may hold any animal keeper position in the Animal Care, Conservation and Research Department (Primary, Relief, or Float). This position is for a Float Keeper, who is trained to cover two to three different animal strings in the Zoo. Each string has a Supervising Primary, who works five days per week on the string and is responsible for the daily management of the string and string staff. The strings for this position include diverse taxa, such as giraffe and other large ungulates, lions and tigers, birds, reptiles, and primates. A Senior Animal Keeper is a leadership-level position within the Department, and must be experienced in the areas of animal care/management and supervision of paid staff and unpaid volunteers/interns, including leadership training/conflict management. Work ranges from the physical tasks associated with feeding and maintenance of the animals’ living areas to more analytical tasks of planning, record keeping and communication. The Senior Keeper is expected to have or develop the appropriate level of knowledge of the natural history and captive wildlife management to insure the best possible physical and psychological well-being of the animals in his/her care. The Senior 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. A Senior 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. S/he is expected to implement Department/Zoo priorities as well as demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements, and to guide and support junior staff and volunteers as appropriate. The Float Keeper takes direction from the Primary Keeper and/or the Zoological Manager regarding daily string operations as appropriate. The Float keeper is expected to cover strings in the absence of the primary keeper, assist the primary keeper with the string duties, and complete other duties and special projects as assigned. 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. Other string duties and special projects can be assigned as needed.
Education and Pre-requisites
JOB REQUIREMENTS
1.Minimum of 3 years full-time experience in the care of captive wildlife in the zoo field.
2.Experience in a leadership and/or management role both with paid staff and unpaid volunteers/interns
3.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)
4.Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
5.Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays.
6.Good written and verbal communications skills
7.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.Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology or a related field.
2.Working knowledge of potentially dangerous animals, preferably ungulates
3.Considerable knowledge and experience in behavioral training theory and practical application
4.Working knowledge of large ungulates, large carnivores, and/or birds and reptiles
Compensation and benefits
SALARY AND BENEFITS: Starting $16.11 to $18.00/hour, commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance and 403B retirement benefits. Two weeks’ vacation for the first five years and ten paid holidays.
Application instructions
Candidates not meeting minimum requirements will not receive a response.
Applicants selected for candidacy are required to attend an on-site working interview.
TO APPLY:
Submit resume, 3 professional references and cover letter accepted via email only
Send to: Darren Minier, Zoological Manager: dminier@oaklandzoo.org