The Jungle Keeper provides daily husbandry and behavioral management for all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, with a strong emphasis on New World and African-Eurasian Primates. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, daily husbandry and care associated with feeding and cleaning animal enclosures. Candidate must excel in a fast-paced and highly changing environment.
Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions (including but not limited to):
- Carries out all aspects of the daily care of assigned animals including cleaning, feeding, exhibit maintenance, general upkeep of support facilities.
- 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 Zoo Supervisor.
- 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.
- Maintains clean and organized exhibits, holding areas, service areas and equipment.
- Prepare, store and distribute food according to established feeding practices and diet sheet amounts; monitor feeding habits and report any changes or abnormalities; monitor food levels to assure sufficient quantities.
- Administers prescribed medications, supplements, or treatments under the guidance of the veterinary and supervisory staff.
- Maintains 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.
- Understands and applies a practical understanding of operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under employee's care.
- Understands and applies the basic principles of animal enrichment as part of the daily management of species under employee's care.
- As appropriate, maintains water quality through filtration, balance of chemical elements, and sanitation methods for aquatic or semi-aquatic animal species.
- Maintain pumps, filters, filtration devices and various testing equipment.
- 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 control through the use of exclusion or traps.
- Identifies potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to the Zoo Supervisor.
- Participates in keeper chats, tours, animal presentations or demonstrations, and/or other public interactions as requested by the Supervisor.
- Provide work direction and assist in training interns and volunteers as assigned.
- Maintain a safe environment for all employees, animals, and guests.
- This includes following zoo two keeper policies, using personal protective equipment, and safe equipment operation.
- Employee must have a valid state driver’s license and follow OSHA standards regarding work place safety.
- Exhibits 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, 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.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Working knowledge of natural history, biology, captive husbandry, and conservation issues as they apply to a wide variety of mammals and birds.
- Must be individually and independently motivated to continue expanding their knowledge base as it applies to desert and nocturnal mammals and birds.
- Operant conditioning and enrichment experience preferred.
- Excellent communication skills. Public speaking experience preferred.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as well as knowing when to delegate tasks.
- Requires excellent time management and staff/volunteer supervision skill sets.
- Creative, positive, and self-motivated.
- Work Environment/Physical Demands
- Will sometimes work extended/odd hours including weekends, holidays and some night programs.
- Must be able to travel long distances across the zoo on foot and in motor vehicles.
- Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
- Must be able to sit, kneel, bend, twist, stoop, crawl, reach above head and climb.
- Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally up to 80 pounds, using safe and proper lifting methods.
- Travel Required
- Some travel may occur.
Education and Experience
- Previous experience with a wide variety of mammal and bird species in an AZA institution is preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Animal Science, Behavior or related field is preferred.
- Working knowledge of natural history, biology, captive husbandry, and conservation issues as they apply to a wide variety of mammals and birds.
- Must be individually and independently motivated to continue expanding their knowledge base as it applies to desert and nocturnal mammals and birds.
- Operant conditioning and enrichment experience preferred.
- Excellent communication skills. Public speaking experience preferred.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as well as knowing when to delegate tasks.
- Requires excellent time management and staff/volunteer supervision skill sets.
- Creative, positive, and self-motivated
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.
Salary
- Starts at $18.15/hour
