Commissary Keeper

Commissary Keeper

Position Title:

Commissary Keeper

Department:
Animal

Reports To:

Senior Veterinarian

Position Type:
Full Time

Audubon Nature Institute comprises Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-Mc Mo Ran  Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and Audubon Wilderness Park. At Audubon Nature Institute, we are more than a collection of parks, museums, and conservation centers—we are a dedicated team with a shared mission to celebrate, protect, and connect people to the wonders of nature.

Our work is guided by our culture code, which is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in Activating Impact by integrating tangible, real‑world outcomes into all our initiatives, fostering a culture where every action contributes to a positive environmental impact. We are committed to Empowering Optimism, using positivity to inspire others to act and believe in their capacity to create meaningful change.

We strive to Create Connection by engaging with people from all walks of life, knowing that the collective strength of a diverse community can address the most pressing challenges facing our natural world. At Audubon, we embody the spirit of Le Bon Temps, infusing the joy and vibrant culture of Louisiana into our everyday work, celebrating our unique heritage while advancing our mission.

As Leaders of the Pack, we constantly seek smarter, innovative solutions, challenging conventions to drive the change we want to see in the world.

In the role of Commissary Keeper, the primary goal is to assist in the efficient operation of the Zoo Commissary, including the acquisition, proper storage, preparation, and delivery of high quality diets and feed items for the Zoo animals.

• Assist in maintaining a hygienic Commissary facility appropriate for food preparation and in compliance with regulations and accreditation guidelines from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and USDA.
• Accept and properly store feed deliveries, such as hay, grain, produce, and frozen prey items.
• Prepare, store, and deliver high‑quality animal diets using food‑safe practices while maintaining facility cleanliness.
• Store, label, date, and rotate all feeds appropriately to maintain quality and comply with governing regulations.
• Report diet changes as requested by Animal Staff to the Veterinarians and implement recommended diet changes.
• Receive Animal Section orders and deliver appropriate quantities of high‑quality feeds to animal sections as needed.
• Assist with effective and continual pest control.
• Must be able to work overtime, weekends and holidays.

• Maintain a positive attitude and a strong sense of accountability, fostering a collaborative team environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute.
• Thrive in a team environment, using organizational and technical skills to ensure the smooth execution of creative projects that resonate with our audience.
• Celebrate the successes of the team and bring enthusiasm to the work, reflecting the joyful culture at the heart of Audubon's mission.
• Stay adaptable and open to learning new skills, embracing change and innovation as opportunities to lead and grow.
• General duties are ongoing; additional duties may be assigned.

• Experience working in food preparation.
• Maintain current Tetanus, hepatitis A/B, and influenza vaccines and biannual TB test.
• Vaccination for COVID-19 required.
• Obtain and maintain a valid Louisiana driver’s license.

• One (1) year of experience working animal husbandry in a Zoo.
• Food safety training and certification.
• Fork‑lift operation training and experience.
• Willingness to serve on the zoo’s Hurricane Rideout Team as necessary.

• Risk periodic exposure to fairly predictable and controllable hazards associated with wild animal and zoonotic diseases.
• Working long hours between breaks or meals.
• Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required in all environmental conditions.
• Prolonged standing, walking, and climbing stairs or ladders.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry objects up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent bending, crouching, twisting, and reaching.
• Manual dexterity to operate machinery or handle tools.
• Frequent use of vision and hearing to assess surroundings and job tasks.

• May include indoor and outdoor work environments.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions.
• Potential exposure to environmental hazards such as dust, chemicals, or loud noise.