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Keeper - Jungle

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Omaha, United States Posted: May 10, 2025


Summary: 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. This position reports to the Supervisor of the Jungle.

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions (include 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; assists in administering medication or other treatments for illness or injury as directed.
  • 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 sheets 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 his/her care.
  • Understands and applies the basic principles of animal enrichment as part of the daily management of species under his/her 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.
  • As appropriate, maintains live exhibit plantings to enhance exhibit aesthetics; eliminates weeds and toxic plants from animal enclosures.
  • In conjunction with the Zoo’s pest control officer, 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 Zoo 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, personal protective equipment, and equipment operation. Employee must have a valid state driver’s license. Also 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 rainforest mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
  • Must be individually and independently motivated to continue expanding their knowledge base as it applies to rainforest mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
  • 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 on 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 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, with a strong emphasis on New World and African-Eurasian Primates 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 rainforest mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
  • Must be individually and independently motivated to continue expanding their knowledge base as it applies to rainforest mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
  • 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

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