Animal Care Assistant - Rocky Shores/Tundra

Based on our internal equity review process, the starting salary for this position will be $20.87.  The current full hourly range for this position is $20.87 - $27.39. 

Work where you play!

Join our team at Metro Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Who We Are

Metro Parks Tacoma (MPT) is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Metro Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You’ll Love it Here

Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Metro Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Metro Parks are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information

Under the direction of a General or assigned Curator and the assigned Assistant Curator or area Staff Biologist perform a variety of semi-skilled duties involved in the care, observation, maintenance, propagation and management of assigned animal species and the presentation of such species to the general public in an educational and attractive manner.

The Animal Care Assistant performs a variety of basic animal husbandry work including behavioral enrichment and observation, animal health care, documentation of behavior and activity and related duties involved in providing overall care to an assigned animal group at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

Essential Duties

• Observe animal species on assigned schedule to determine physical and behavioral health and wellbeing; check animals for abnormalities and report condition to appropriate Assistant Curator or area Staff Biologist.
• Clean animal exhibits and holding areas to assure the health of animals and the presentation of the species in an attractive environment; remove animal fecal and other material on a regular basis.
• Prepare, store and distribute food according to established amounts, types and diets; monitor feeding habits and report any changes or abnormalities; monitor food levels to assure sufficient quantities. Prepare and administer designated medications under supervision, food supplements and vitamins.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repair of animal exhibits and related systems participate in preparing new exhibits, enhance viewing and improve living conditions for the animals under direction of Assistant Curator or area Staff Biologist.
• Provide appropriate enrichment to animals in assigned areas of responsibility.  Communicate/provide presentations to the public regarding animal biology, behaviors and related matters.• Assist with animal training and handling, where appropriate.. Assist with maintaining animal records.
• Maintain water quality to keep aquatic animals in a healthy condition as assigned
• Perform behavioral observations; patrol assigned areas of the Zoo and visually check on animals.
• Move and remove animal species to different areas or exhibits as directed by General Curator, Curator, Assistant Curator or area Staff Biologist.
• Assist training seasonal and part-time employees as assigned. Attend staff meetings and on-site educational opportunities.
• Communicate with the Assistant Curator or area Staff Biologist regarding needed supplies, problems regarding exhibits, animal health or public safety issues or concerns. Communicate with Assistant Curator or area Staff Biologist regarding animal health matters. Provide assistance in catching or restraining animals in accordance with established safety procedures to administer health care when appropriate.
• Assist with the transport of collection animals.
• Assure the safety of animals, employees and the visiting public from injury or mishap.
• Maintain behind the scenes staff areas as assigned.
• Communicate effectively with staff and volunteers regarding animal management practices.
• Other duties as required

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Must have at least one year experience involving the care and husbandry of animals in a zoo, aquarium, theme park or related environment, preferably in an AZA accredited facility.

LICENSE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Washington driver's license.
• Obtain a valid First Aid and CPR Card within the probationary period.

Additional Information

ENVIRONMENT:

Indoor and outdoor environment. Adverse weather conditions. Cold water while interacting with animals.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

lifting and carrying heavy objects or animals weighing up to 50 pounds. Pushing. Climbing. Walking. Kneeling and crouching to work with and feed animals. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized equipment and tools.

HAZARDS

Exposure to potentially dangerous and sick animals. Exposure to animal fecal matter. Chemicals, fumes, odors, poor ventilation and noise. Contact with dissatisfied visitors.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Basic principles of animal husbandry including animal behavior, care, maintenance and management.
• Animal species natural history and biology.
• Applicable local, State, federal and AZA regulations.
• Safe and proper handling of animals.
• Requirements of maintaining exhibits in a safe, clean and orderly condition.
• Proper methods of storing equipment, materials and supplies.

ABILITY TO:

• Operate and maintain a variety of related tools, equipment and machinery.
• Observe animals for physical and behavioral health.
• Perform various animal husbandry duties for assigned species including cleaning, feeding, collection, maintenance and management of animals.
• Perform work to assure the safety of animals, employees and the visiting public.
• Interpret rules and regulations.
• Perform emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines.
• Communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
• Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
• Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately.
• Set up and operate equipment that can require selection from options or different settings.
• Manage time efficiently.
• Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences.
• Report for work regularly and on time.
• Implement and carry out Senior Staff Biologist/Head Animal Keeper or area Staff Biologist/Animal Keeper directives.

METRO PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

• All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
• MPT employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• MPT is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource at hr@tacomaparks.com.
• Employment is subject to a national background check.

Experience Required

Must have at least one year experience involving the care and husbandry of animals in a zoo, aquarium, theme park or related environment, preferably in an AZA accredited facility.