Keeper

Position Title Keeper

Facility Zoo

Department Sea Lions

Reports to Assistant Curator

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.

Sea lion keepers provide all aspects of care and wellness for our colony of sea lions in a free contact setting. Safety is paramount when working closely with potentially dangerous animals in a marine environment and attention to detail is required. Keepers have complex and rigorous work requirements that require time management, creative thinking, patience, sense of humor, and dedication to the craft.

Working with the sea lions at Audubon Zoo will provide you with a wide range of experiences including opportunities for skills development and specialization as a keeper and trainer.

Perform routine husbandry- feed prescribed diets, monitor and report diet consumption, observe and report any health or behavioral abnormalities of all assigned animal specimens to immediate supervisor daily.

Assist hospital staff with health monitoring and assessment.

Clean, sanitize, and prepare animal housing areas as directed.

Follow all Standard Operating Procedures for assigned areas.

Continuous learning. Develop professional skills and knowledge in areas such as animal care, enrichment, conservation, genetics, safety, training, animal introduction and reproduction.

Participate in welfare assessments. Work with Curators, Assistant Curators and other keepers to seek ways to improve the wellbeing of animals in your care.

Develop basic knowledge and experience with modern husbandry techniques, professional best practices, and in accreditation standards set forth by AZA and USDA.

Develop strong communication skills, including active listening, giving and receiving feedback and thoughtful dialogue.

Perform approved Behavioral Enrichment activities and create new enrichment based on the needs of the animal(s).

Develop and utilize operant conditioning techniques to increase the quality of life of the collection.

Promote and nurture a positive work environment and team morale.

Identify and report minor or routine maintenance problems in a timely manner.

Perform facility and exhibit maintenance, including but not limited to, trash and debris removal, mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, floor cleaning, painting, minor section repairs, etc.

Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, including proper uniform standards.

Performs Keeper Chats, VIP/BTS Tours, and Wild Encounters as required.

Perform all other duties as assigned by Curators, Assistant Curator, or designated section leadership.

Maintain a positive attitude and a strong sense of accountability, fostering a collaborative team environment where everyone feels…