Come join us at the Reid Park Zoological Society!

Overview: The Commissary Keeper is responsible for coordinating the diets for over 400 animals (and counting). This includes daily diet preparation, tracking product usage and ensuring products are re-stocked as needed, and managing diet changes for a dynamic animal collection.

Additionally, this position oversees live insect colonies and orders and processes raw prey items for animal consumption. The successful candidate will have knowledge of inventory tracking, excellent time management skills, and the ability to work with vendors and Zoo Keepers and provide tours to camp groups and donors.

This position will offer flexible hours and a Monday- Friday work week. 

Pay Range: $17.67 to $20.76 per hour

Benefits: This is a fully benefited position, including group medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid holiday, vacation, and sick time, retirement plan, zoo membership, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and discounts on concession and gift shop purchases. 

No phone calls or visits please. This position is open until filled. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.  We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff by creating an inclusive environment. 

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates and models the core values of the Reid Park Zoo
• Perform duties in accordance with RPZS policies and procedures
• Provide excellent customer service as a component of all job duties
• Follows Zoo safety protocols and procedures
• Day to day operations of animal feed and supply acquisition and inventory.
• Complete diet preparation.
• Establish ordering routines and coordinate centralized ordering and receiving activities for animal feed and supplies.
• Ensure proper storage, handling, and food stock rotation to prevent unnecessary food waste and assure USDA and AZA standards are met.
• Record diet changes in a database.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and coordinate repairs and issues with the Facilities department.
• Periodic educational outreach internally and externally about the zoos animal nutrition program.
• Participates in emergency drills.  These may include but are not limited to dangerous animal escape, fire, medical or weather emergencies. 
• Effectively control the budget and provide accurate information as required.
• Drive a continuous improvement process for sourcing feed and supplies while balancing animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and financial sustainability.
• Look for opportunities and make recommendations to improve and streamline procedures, processes, and documentation related to commissary function.
• Embrace an environment of continuous learning through proactively seeking knowledge and skills to be part of a change ready workforce.
• Maintain proficiency and accreditation/ technical acumen requirements of your role and continue to build skills and proficiency.
• Assist in the training of new staff and mentoring volunteers.
• Completes all trainings as required.  These may include but are not limited to job specific training, safety, zoonotic disease, blood borne pathogens, animal enrichment, animal training, conservation, Species Survival Plan, active shooter, DEI, radio protocol, CPR/ First Aid, hand tool usage and heavy equipment operation such as skid steer/ fork lift truck. 
• Be able to perform those tasks that are essential to the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Please note that this document is not an exhaustive list.  It is intended to give a reasonable idea of what might be required.

Minimum Qualifications, Skills and Abilities: 

• Education Requirement: Associate’s Degree and one-year of experience with inventory tracking and supply ordering required; OR equivalent combination of education and experience may be approved by the Director of Animal Care
• A valid, current, unrestricted driver license
• Successfully complete pre-hire background check and pre-employment drug screen (we do not test for THC)
• Comply with quarterly random drug testing if selected
• Proof of negative TB test within immediate past 12 months, OR, complete a pre-hire TB test (company paid) to be renewed annually
• Completes all training as required
• Participates in emergency drills
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to maintain positive, constructive relationships, at all levels, with a diverse population of staff, guests, vendors and the public
• Assertive, energetic, and enjoy working in a fast paced, public/guest attraction focused environment
• Ability to take direction, constructive feedback, act or change direction as needed
• Regular physical attendance at work
• Reliable and able to work to a schedule
• Must be able to work a flexible work schedule including evenings and weekends
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office
• Ability to direct work for both paid and unpaid workers
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse population and foster a collaborative environment
• Ability to work independently and prioritize workload

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds often
• Bend, stoop, kneel, reach frequently
• Stand and walk for long periods of time
• Repetitious motions with hands
• Ability to use hands to control power and hand tools
• The working conditions of this role include sedentary computer work, standing for extended periods of time, exposure to cold temperatures (freezers, refrigerators), lifting up to 50 lbs, repetitive bending, twisting, and lifting.   

Preferred Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to be trained to safely operate a forklift
• Experience working in an AZA-accredited zoo facility or other park or public attraction environment strongly preferred
• Bilingual (Any language, including ASL)