Animal Keeper-Farm Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us .

Under general supervision, participates in all aspects of daily animal care and enclosure maintenance. This position works in a team atmosphere that strives to continuously provide progressive, high standards of care to ensure animal health, safety, and well-being. Animal species include domestic chicken, goats, cows, ponies, rabbits, and guinea hogs.

• Provides daily care to animals and their enclosures. Including, but not limited to cleaning, feeding, watering, securing, observing, animal training and enrichment, record keeping and maintaining exhibits
• Participates in daily operant conditioning training sessions, working with teams to advance program in alignment with established goals for species behavior and wellbeing. This includes developing training plans and completing training records
• Advances behavioral enrichment program by planning, implementing and evaluating enrichment activities
• Participates in welfare discussions and assessments as assigned, implementing welfare action items as needed
• Promotes and contributes to a positive and productive work environment
• Collects Zoo Monitor data as assigned
• Tasks may include heavy manual and skilled work such as moving and manipulating heavy food items, hoses, bales of hay, equipment and crated animals
• Advances zoo mission through collaboration with horticulture, conservation & science, development, learning and community engagement programs as assigned.
• Assist in delivery of education programs formally through Learning Department, and informally through interaction with zoo guests; conducting tours and participating in research projects as needed
• Cleans and maintains animal exhibits including use of chemical agents and special tools which are used to ensure the health and safety of the animals
• Under supervision, maintains excellence in exhibit display including furnishing, landscape maintenance, modifying and performing minor repairs and upkeep as appropriate
• Prepares and distributes prescribed animal diets as determined by senior animal management staff
• Under supervision, administers therapeutics as prescribed by the veterinarian
• Monitors health of animals on a daily basis, and reports anything abnormal or problematic to the management team without delay
• Makes recommendations regarding diet change, habitat redesign and related matters and taking steps to accomplish the same
• Prepares detailed written daily reports and completes all assigned record keeping in TRACKS record keeping system
• Monitors the condition of habitats, equipment and facilities and communicates work order requests and emergency repairs as needed
• Maintains clean and safe work environment
• Maintains an inventory of tools and supplies
• Adheres to established animal handling and related safety guidelines
• Participates in established animal escape drills and procedures. Under supervision, captures, restrains, and transports animals
• Jobs may require coordination with other zoo departments
• Promotes a positive guest experience
• Support lead/assistant lead during the training of new staff, temporary keepers, etc

• Keepers assigned to evening or night shift will devote their time for animal observations and other assigned duties
• May have direct responsibility for a specialized aspect of assigned animals
• Other duties as assigned to maintain efficient and quality zoo operations
• Work necessary hours as requested including all shifts, weekends, holidays, and special events

• Knowledge of current industry standard husbandry practices and methods
• Knowledge of animal behavior and natural history; common environmental enrichment and animal training practices; biology and related subjects
• Knowledge of animal behavior as an indication of general health, reproductive potential and wellbeing
• Knowledge of occupational hazards involved and the safe work practices to employ while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals
• Knowledge of materials, methods, tools and equipment used in cleaning operations
• Skill in making thorough observations and documenting observations
• Ability to keep comprehensive and accurate records according to established procedures
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Ability to both give and follow oral and written directions effectively
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• Ability to organize tasks and time to ensure timely completion of all projects
• Ability to work in any of the assigned animal areas fulfilling all requirements of the title
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in analyzing animal behavior problems or emergency…