Overview: This is a newly created position to prepare for Reid Park Zoo’s Asia expansion opening later this year. This position will be joining a newly created Herpetology team to care for all the reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and fish in the zoo including Komodo Dragons, giant tortoises, reticulated python, American Alligator and numerous other species as well as a small number of birds and mammals. The successful candidate will be hard-working, detail-oriented, and committed to progressive animal care and welfare and maintaining a positive culture of openness, trust, and respect. Animal care includes behavioral observations, positive reinforcement training, enrichment, cleaning, and engaging with the welfare committee and the supervisory and vet teams to ensure excellent animal welfare. The Keeper will be responsible for daily record keeping, including daily reports, medication logs, welfare tracking, enrichment records, animal training records, and area notes. The Keeper will work in various animal areas with multiple taxa.

Reports To:   Animal Care Supervisor

Animal Care

• Daily cleaning associated with the animal night house, habitat, and visitor viewing area
• Husbandry care for the animals in the area (feeding, medicating, training, enriching, and care specific to the species)
• Completes reports, including but not limited to daily animal reports, enrichment logs, water quality logs, training logs, medication logs, animal incident reports, etc.
• Develops & implements enrichment activities for animals following AZA guidelines and per department practices and protocols
• Trains utilizing positive reinforcement to aid in animal management & promote visitor education
• Monitors animal welfare and reports concerns to supervisor
• Follows all animal care protocols and policies

Communication

• Participates in formal presentations, e.g. Keeper talks, special events, behind-the-scenes tours, etc.
• Answers visitor questions concerning animals, conservation, zoo operations, etc.

Health & Safety

• Assists in the capture and/or physical/ chemical restraint & transportation of animals
• Participates in emergency drills 
• Responds to animal emergencies following approved protocols

Administrative Functions 

• Complete all animal records in a variety of software programs, including Animal Care Software, ZIMS, etc.

Minimum Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• Associate’s degree in a biological science, animal, or zoology-related program, plus two years’ paid wildlife care experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience, with approval from the Animal Care Director
• 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 weekends and occasional evenings

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
• Must be able to work outside in either cold or hot weather conditions the majority of the time

Preferred Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

•  Additional years of experience working in an AZA-accredited zoo facility or other park or public attraction environment strongly preferred
• Skilled with breeding, handling, capture, and restraint of a variety of reptiles and amphibians
• Bilingual (any language, including ASL)

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

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Human Resources Dept.