The Meadowlark Theater at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (OHDZA) is an outdoor venue that hosts various live demonstrations and educational shows, including the free-flight bird presentation.
- Surrounded by the zoo's lush landscape, the theater provides a unique setting for family-friendly entertainment, often featuring wildlife presentations that educate visitors about conservation and animal behavior.
- The theater is part of the zoo’s broader mission to inspire and educate zoo guests about the importance of wildlife and habitat conservation.
- The Meadowlark Theater Keeper provides daily husbandry and behavioral management for all animals in the area, with a strong emphasis on species that participate in interactive animal programming for zoo guests, and daily exhibit and building maintenance in Meadowlark Theater.
- Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, daily husbandry and care associated with feeding and cleaning animal enclosures.
- The Keeper is expected to be proficient in operant conditioning and capable of the presentation of a variety of animal species to zoo guests as needed for daily animal encounters, demonstrations, and stage shows.
- This position has a high level of guest and animal interaction.
Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions (including but not limited to):
- Execute all aspects of the daily care of assigned animals including cleaning, feeding, exhibit maintenance, general upkeep of support facilities.
- Observe behavior of animals on both a day-to-day and long-term basis; note 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 the Supervisor.
- Answer questions or give information regarding animals, zoo operations, and zoo exhibits to zoo guests; maintain crowd control when animals are loose or being moved; observe zoo guests to prevent malicious acts which could result in harm to zoo guests, or zoo animals or loss of zoo property.
- Assist in the crating and uncrating of animals; catches and restrains as necessary; may assist in transfer between locations.
- Maintain clean and organized exhibits, holding areas, service areas and equipment.
- Prepare, store, and distribute food according to established feeding practices and diet sheets amounts; monitor feeding habits and report any changes or abnormalities; monitor food levels to assure sufficient quantities.
- Administer prescribed medications, supplements, or treatments under the guidance of the veterinary and supervisory staff.
- Maintain daily reports, logs, training and enrichment records, research, or veterinary records, as appropriate and according to established guidelines; requires basic skills with Microsoft Office software.
- Understand and apply a practical understanding of operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under keeper's care.
- Understands and apply the basic principles of animal enrichment as part of the daily management of species under keeper's care.
- As appropriate, maintains live exhibit plantings to enhance exhibit aesthetics; eliminates weeds and toxic plants from animal enclosures.
- In conjunction with the Zoo’s Integrated Pest Management Specialist, may assist in pest management through the use of exclusion or traps.
- Identify potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to the Supervisor.
- Participate in presentations of animals to zoo guests in formal and informal settings. This includes animal encounters and stage shows.
- Provide work direction and assist in training interns and volunteers as assigned.
- Maintain a safe environment for all employees, animals, and guests. This includes utilizing personal protective equipment when needed and safe equipment operation. Also follow OSHA standards regarding workplace safety.
- Exhibit good teamwork and communication skills both verbal and written within the home team and when working with other teams or departments.
- Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
- Interact professionally with other employees, zoo guests, and external contractors.
- 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.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of animal husbandry, operant conditioning, enrichment, welfare, and animal handling techniques for birds and reptiles, with a strong emphasis on species that participate in interactive animal programming for zoo guests.
- Knowledge of a safe working environment for animals, employees, and guests.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to speak publicly to large and small groups.
- Creative, positive, and self-motivated.
- Must possess or be able to obtain a valid state driver’s license.
- Work Environment/Physical Demands
- Will sometimes work extended/odd hours including weekends, holidays, and some night programs.
- Must be able to walk long distances across the zoo.
- Must be able to stand, sit, kneel, bend, twist, reach above head, and climb.
- Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds using safe and proper lifting methods.
Travel Required
- Some travel may occur.
- Education and Experience
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, Animal Science, Behavior or related field preferred.
- Experience in an AZA accredited institution or related organization preferred.
- Exotic/zoo animal husbandry experience preferred.
- Operant conditioning and enrichment experience preferred.
Work authorization
- Position does not support employment visa or H1B sponsorship.
DISCLAIMER
- The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification.
- It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.
