Temporary Houston Toad Keeper

Summary

Summary: The responsibility of this position is to maintain and care for animals within the Texas Native Amphibian Center as directed, primarily focusing on the Houston Toad program; to assist veterinary staff as needed; and to perform a variety of activities relative to the assigned area of responsibility. As necessary and time allows similar tasks in other areas of the Ectotherms Department may be assigned.

This position is for 400 hours of work generally 20-40 hours per week.

• Provide necessary husbandry parameters and appropriate environments for species in assigned section
• All animal enclosures should be kept clean (i.e., flushed if appropriate or substrate changed on regular basis, free of fecal/urate material, clean water bowl and props, uneaten food removed, etc.)
• Animal exhibits should be checked daily and serviced prior to the public’s arrival (i.e., clean glass, cover exposed water bowls or pots, remove dead plants, feces/urates, cobwebs, uneaten food- especially dead rodents)
• Animal enclosures should be completely stripped and cleaned as needed (i.e., disease or parasite problem, mite, roach or cricket infestation, if the animal dies, if a new species is moved into the enclosure, if the substrate and props are dirty, the exhibit is unsightly, etc.). Some enclosures will require more frequent tear-downs (minimum once per year for most species), dependent upon species and bio load
• All dangerous animal enclosures and locks are to be checked for security purposes daily and any problems relayed immediately to supervisor
• Provide appropriate back-up coverage as relief keeper (use check sheet, record observations, accurate communication, clean and feed, etc.)
• Water chemistries are to be conducted on a regular basis following all protocols
• Salad and nectar bowls, uneaten rodents, etc. should be removed at the end of the day and not left overnight (except for nocturnal species or problem feeders). This also applies to food offered to aquatic species
• Feces should be removed daily from exhibit and reserve enclosures
• All animals should be checked daily, and observations should be noted on cage card (if applicable) and TRACKS. Health Alerts should be submitted as needed and all major findings should be reported to a supervisor immediately
• Maintain all animal records. Each animal enclosure must have an updated cage card (if applicable) and records in TRACKS
• Abnormal feeding patterns should be noted on feed cards, TRACKS and reported to supervisor (i.e., if animal misses three feedings in a row, regurgitation, has trouble catching or eating prey, etc.), as well as discussed at weekly staff meetings
• Check out with supervisor before leaving at the end of the day and relay any pertinent information/updates verbally
• Carry out animal diet directives from management. Discuss any diet, supplementation, or feeding change requests with supervisor
• Weights are to be taken on all animals on a regular basis (i.e., birth or hatching, opportunistically when being handled, suspected weight loss, prior to shipment, etc.). All animals are to be weighed a minimum of twice per year, or as directed by management, and recorded in TRACKS
• Animal training and enrichment directives assigned by management are to be implemented within instructed time frame and recorded in TRACKS
• All venomous animal handling protocols are to be strictly followed
• Maintain safe and clutter-free work environment
• Keep all work areas and building parameter clean and free of debris
• Monitor building temperatures and equipment. Report malfunctions to supervisor
• Conduct routine filter changes and backwashes according to SOPs, as scheduled, or needed. Clean large pools as assigned or needed
• Act in a professional and courteous manner with coworkers and zoo visitors. Present keeper talks as scheduled
• Be respectful of coworkers, maintain a positive work environment and team atmosphere
• Manage time appropriately to complete daily routine and work on extra projects
• Live prey and food cultures are to be properly maintained and in adequate supply
• Public and keeper work areas are to be kept organized and clean (i.e., floors swept and…