Lead Keeper - Meadowlark Theater

The Meadowlark Theatre 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.
• OHDZA is seeking a Lead Keeper for the Meadowlark Theater within the Interactive Animal Programs Department. This position primarily focuses on delivering free-flight bird shows and other engaging programs, as well as overseeing the daily care and behavioral management of the animals, primarily birds, in the Meadowlark Theater.
• The Lead Keeper supports the Supervisor of Interactive Animal Programs in managing daily operations, staff, and animal care.
• The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in operant conditioning, bird knowledge, leadership, and communication, and be capable of presenting a variety of animal species to zoo guests as needed.
• This role requires a commitment to high standards of animal training, welfare, and interpretation techniques.
• The position reports directly to the Supervisor of Interactive Animal Programs.

Responsibilities and Duties (include but not limited to):

• Support the Supervisor of Interactive Animal Programs in the daily management of keeper staff.
• Collaborate with the Supervisor to develop and guide staff in creating meaningful interactions with visitors and create and implement training and welfare goals for collection animals.
• Conduct daily husbandry, training and enrichment of the animal collection (including psitticines, birds of prey, corvids, galliformes and southern ground hornbills).
• Work alongside the Veterinarian, Nutrition, and Behavior and Welfare departments on animal health and being a part of animal procedures.
• Presentation of animals in formal and informal settings, including larger, scripted programs and informal animal encounters.
• Develop and implement animal training techniques with animal collection to exhibit natural behaviors on cue, aid in medical procedures, and improve interaction with guests.
• Contribute to student education efforts by training interns and speaking to classes, when assigned.
• Assist zoo guests and facilitate their needs regardless of relationship to the Interactive Animal Programs area.
• Help maintain the building and structures in the area, including tasks such as cleaning, painting, and light construction.
• Collaborate with the Supervisor to communicate with maintenance staff on area projects, including putting in work orders.
• Assist with the maintenance of the area grounds including, but not limited to, plant care, raking, weeding, trash collection, etc.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in an AZA accredited institution or related organization.
• Operant conditioning experience required.
• Experience training & working with a variety of free-flighted birds.
• Animal husbandry experience required.
• Comfort with public speaking; theatrical experience preferred.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, behavior or related field is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with high attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Strong knowledge of animal husbandry, operant conditioning, enrichment, welfare, and animal handling techniques, with the ability to train these skills to employees.
• Knowledge of a safe working environment for animals, employees, and guests.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as well as knowing when to delegate tasks.
• Ability to speak publicly to large and small groups.
• Creative, positive, and self-motivated.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• 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.
• Able to stand for long periods and work in inclement weather conditions.
• Ability to drive and operate motor vehicles and hold a valid State Driver’s License.
• Current Tuberculosis Test is required.
• Work has exposure to physical and zoonotic disease risk.
• Candidates might be (depending on position) required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative skin tuberculosis test, and possess a valid driver’s license with a good history.

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.