Ambassador Animal Keeper

Blank Park Zoo

The Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa is a non-profit organization and home to more than 2,800 animals representing nearly 240 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, and is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The mission of the Blank Park Zoo is to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research and recreation.

Ambassador Animal Keeper

Position Purpose

Under the direction of the Ambassador Animal Care Manager, this position will be responsible for the daily husbandry and care of the Ambassador Animal collection consisting of varied species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. The Ambassador department also oversees and assists with the alpacas in the Alpaca Acres exhibit. This position may be expected to assist with and conduct both formal and informal onsite educational programming for visitors of all ages.

Additionally, the Animal Keeper supports our Zoo Mission which is to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research, and recreation.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

* Provides husbandry needs of all animals in care by participating in daily cleaning and enclosure maintenance, diet preparation, administering medications, feeding, training, and enrichment

* Responsible for daily observation of animal health and welfare. Reports abnormal behavior and problems to area supervisor

* Input data, observations, behavioral, and medical notes into daily logs and records

* Work closely with veterinary staff to provide best possible care for the animals

* Responsible for maintaining the grounds of public areas in Alpaca Acres. Adheres to established animal handling and related safety protocols. Under the supervision of Rusty Stars Alpacas, understand and assist with the transport of alpacas.

* Participate in established animal escape drills and procedures.

* Assist with the research and acquisition of new animals to the collection

* Participates in discussions and decisions of dispositions of animals in the collection

* Assist with conducting, reviewing, and discussing animal welfare assessments

* Assist in daily handling of animals for husbandry needs and programming use

* Assists in animal training, developing training plans, and recording of training notes for husbandry needs and programming use

* Provide daily enrichment, help build/create new enrichment items, and record enrichment into daily log

* Conduct formal and informal onsite programs and guest interactions

* Participate in membership programs including tours, presentations, and lectures.

* Collaborates with animal care team and education program team to achieve common husbandry and program goals

* Collaborates with animal care team, engagement team, and guest services team to achieve common husbandry, program, and guest experience goals for Alpaca Acres.

* Functions effectively in both team and individual settings, and works toward adopting and creating best animal welfare practices

* Identifies and communicates with maintenance of repairs needed for the safety of animals, visitors and staff as well as overall upkeep of the facilities

* Works closely with, oversees, mentors, and supports volunteers and interns of all ages as well as assisting with training of new staff.

Competencies

* Resourceful - Understanding of or can research all applicable topics as they relate to modern zoological management, operations of an attraction and customer service.

* Flexible - Ability to handle a flexible workload with a variety of assignments while also maintain composure in an environment that can be stressful.

* Independent - Must be able to operate independently, exercise initiative and demonstrate capacity for detail and follow-up.

* Positive - Must be a positive, effective team member and be able to establish professional working relationships.

* Communicator - Communicates clearly, both verbal and written. Effective listening skills.

* Critical Thinker - Ability to make decisions while under pressure or solve complex problems that arise daily.

* Innovative - Ability to propose solutions to areas of concern as related to animal care.

* Efficient - Ability to complete task in a thorough but quick manner.

* Customer-oriented - Always exercises professional customer service skills. Interacts with many different types of people and situations.

* Team Player - Collaborates with area supervisor and team to achieve common husbandry goals.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities

Assists with supervision of interns, volunteers, and seasonal staff.

Grounds/Maintenance/Animal Care

While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, walk on even terrain, climb, and utilize manual dexterity to use various tools, machines, and equipment. Most of the job tasks are completed inside. However, the incumbent is occasionally…