Animal Care Keeper - Rhino Savanna

The Rhino Savanna is a four-acre, multi-species habitat that is home to a young breeding pair of black rhinos as well as waterbuck, springbok, and a variety of bird species. Additionally, the Rhino Savanna team provides care for our dwarf mongoose, banded mongoose, naked mole rats, addax, camels, and a herd of goats. The Rhino Savanna keeper will participate in animal husbandry, training, habitat renovation, staff training, and medical procedures for the animals of the Rhino Savanna.

The Animal Care Keeper is an energetic front-line staff position responsible for providing the highest quality daily care, husbandry, and behavioral management of a defined portion of The Living Desert’s (TLD) animal residents and is responsible for the daily care of assigned animal habitats and other associated animal facilities.

The Animal Care team is expected to support the Zoo in its mission “to support desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation.” The team will help the Zoo achieve a forward-thinking vision of a modern zoo and inclusive culture.

A TLD animal care keeper is an example to others while working towards an improved future and shared vision within TLD. This position educates, engages, and provides exemplary guest service experiences for all Zoo guests through various programs, activities and continuous guest interaction as outlined by Animal management. Each Animal Care Keeper is encouraged to lead from where they are, bring innovative ideas forward and provide a high level of well-being for each individual.

This person must have the ability to make good decisions regarding the wellbeing of animals, staff and guests while working for the greater good of the zoo. This person will support the Zoo in our mission “to support desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation” and will help the Zoo achieve a forward-thinking vision of a modern zoo and inclusive culture.

This person must be a cooperative and collaborative team member with a great guest service attitude.

Job description is a summary of the typical duties of the role, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

• Must represent The Living Desert in a professional manner, and act accordingly at all times.
• General knowledge of zoo animal husbandry, natural history, and observational skills
• Ability to use critical thinking skills to trouble shoot issues and reveal solutions to move the animal team forward.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and remain levelheaded in emergency situations.
• Keep accurate and detailed records of daily observations of area animals residents containing information regarding behavior, diet intake, fecal output, behavior, health, weight, breeding, aggression, behavioral enrichment, capture/restraint, prescribed medical treatments in-house.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings to discuss the needs of the animal residents and animal staff, resolve challenges, and learn new procedures and policies.
• Familiar with USDA and AZA regulations and comply with them.
• Contribute and maintain a safe, positive, and productive workplace environment for animals, guests, and staff.
• Maintain accurate timecards and approve them in a timely manner.
• Must check emails regularly and respond in a timely manner including but not limited to surveys and questionnaires.
• Provides assistance to other departments as needed.
• Other related responsibilities as necessary to accomplish department objectives.

• Participates with the daily behavioral husbandry, operant conditioning, and enriching experiences of animal collection.
• Work with animal residents on a one-to-one basis to train behaviors for animal management and educational programming according to accepted training protocols
• Responsible for completing well-being assessments and always striving to increase animal well-being. May be responsible for completing quality of life assessments and participating in euthanasia discussions.

• Able to be honest and forthcoming about abilities with Animal Care leadership.
• Must bring animal well-being concerns to management with proposed suggestions…