Job Details

This is an additional position for this team to prepare for Reid Park Zoo's Asia expansion opening later this year.

Overview: Oversees care of a variety of dangerous and non-dangerous animals and habitats. The position will provide high-quality care for the animals in their area as well as assist with habitat and night house maintenance. The Lead Keeper works with the Supervisor to lead the team and will be the point person on days when the supervisor is not present. Acting as point person for the team will include organizing tasks of the day, communicating with leadership and other departments, and addressing any personnel issues that may arise. Animal care includes behavioral observations, positive reinforcement training, preparing and providing enrichment, cleaning, engaging with the welfare committee, supervising keepers, and interacting with the vet team. The Lead Keeper will be responsible for daily record-keeping, including daily reports, medication logs, welfare tracking, enrichment records, animal training records, and area notes. This position will work in all the area routines and be expected to be knowledgeable on all area animals to be able to lead keepers in the absence of a supervisor. The Lead Keeper will guide other keepers in group assignments as needed and serve as a mentor in all areas of animal care and training. This position may be responsible for overseeing specific training/enrichment goals with keepers. Work assignments are subject to the hazards inherent in caring for wild animals in human care.

Reports To: Animal Care Supervisor

General Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates and models the core values of the Reid Park Zoological Society (RPZS or the Zoo)
• Perform duties in accordance with RPZS policies and procedures
• Provide excellent customer service, internally and externally, as a component of all job duties
• Follows Zoo safety protocols and procedures
• Completes all training as required

• Animal Care
• Daily cleaning associated with the animal night house, habitat, and visitor viewing area
• Husbandry care for the animals in the area (feeding, medicating, training, enriching, and care specific to the species)
• Completes reports, including but not limited to daily animal reports, enrichment logs, water quality logs, training logs, medication logs, animal incident reports, etc.
• Taking initiative to assist other keepers on new activities (first time they weigh an animal or design enrichment)
• Develops & implements enrichment activities for animals following AZA guidelines and per department practices and protocols
• Trains utilizing positive reinforcement to aid in animal management & promote visitor education
• Monitors animal welfare and reports concerns to supervisor
• Follows all animal care protocols and policies
• Assists in the training of new staff and mentoring volunteers

Communication

• Communicates with supervisors on the progress of keepers they are directly leading in training or husbandry sessions
• Participates in formal presentations, e.g. Keeper talks, special events, behind-the-scenes tours, etc.
• Answers visitor questions concerning animals, conservation, zoo operations, etc.
• Participates in AZA groups, including SSP and TAGs when appropriate

Health & Safety

• Assists in the capture and/or physical/ chemical restraint & transportation of animals
• Participates in emergency drills
• Willingness to serve on the safety team
• Willing to maintain proficiency with darting equipment & firearms if selected for the safety team
• Responds to animal emergencies following approved protocols

Administrative Functions

• Complete all animal records in a variety of software programs, including Animal Care Software, ZIMS, etc.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• Associate's degree in a biological science, animal, or zoology-related program, plus three to five years' experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience, with approval from the Animal Care Director
• Valid, unrestricted driver's license
• Current year COVID-19 Booster
• Obtain and maintain negative TB Test or proof of negative TB result within the immediate past 12 months; TB is renewed annually
• Successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen (we do not test for THC) and criminal history background check
• Ability to lead other keepers through animal training sessions and complex animal shifts

• Ability to give appropriate and honest feedback to keepers during coaching sessions
• Work assignments are subject to the hazards inherent in caring for exotic & dangerous animals in a zoological institution
• Demonstrated critical analysis, customer service, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision making, leadership, team building, time management, and motivational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to tactfully handle stressful situations, negotiate and resolve conflicts, maintain confidentiality and to respect and observe organizational protocol.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to foster and maintain constructive, effective working relationships, at all levels, with a diverse population of staff, volunteers, guests, donors, vendors, and community partners
• Reliable, dependable and able to work assigned schedule regularly and consistently
• Able to work a flexible work schedule and adjust as required
• Weekend, special events, and some holiday work are required

Physical Demands

• Able to lift to 50 pounds often
• Bend, stoop, kneel, and reach frequently
• Stand and walk for long periods of time
• Repetitious motions with hands
• Ability to use hands to control power and hand tools
• Must be able to work outside in either cold or hot weather conditions the majority of the time

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in a biological science, animal or zoology-related program with six to eight years of exotic animal care experience
• Additional years of experience
• Paid work experience in an AZA accredited facility
• Bilingual (any language, including ASL)
• Skilled with giraffe training for voluntary husbandry behaviors

Please note that this document is not an exhaustive list. It is intended to give a reasonable idea of what might be required.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Human Resources Dept.