Animal Keeper

Position: Animal Keeper I
Sunset Zoo

Sunset Zoo operates in 26 of it's 48 available acres. Employing nearly 20 full-time employees and a variety of part-time and seasonal staff, the Zoo is open seven days a week, 360 days a year. In addition to funding from the City of Manhattan, Sunset is supported by two 501c3 not-for-profit organizations: the Friends of Sunset Zoo and the Sunset Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Animal Keeper I

Summary/Objective

Provides for the day-to-day care of a wide variety of multi-class and multi-genera animals. Cleans and maintains animal, service and public areas of the park. Provides enrichment and animal welfare as scheduled. Provides daily animal care that meets, and/or exceeds USDA, and AZA, standards. Reports to supervisors in writing and orally the status of the animals and the physical plant of the zoo.

Interacts with the public by giving public talks and answering questions.

Essential Functions

60%

* Provides care for multi-class and multi-genera animals.

* Provides for the care of large numbers of animals including feeding, cleaning exhibits, and public areas, assist in the mental and physical health of the animals through enrichment, training and welfare programs, and administer medications under the direction of the Head Keeper, Animal Curator, and Veterinarians.

* Monitors and interprets the day-to-day activities and health status of large numbers of multi-class and multi-genera exotic and domestic animals.

* Maintains exhibits, service areas and public areas through minor repairs or by reporting needed repairs to maintenance department or Head Keeper/Animal Curator.

* Reports daily activities and the status of the animals/area under their charge.

* Aids in the manual restraint of a variety of animals, some of which may be potentially dangerous.

* Administers and records animal enrichment, training and welfare protocols, as exhibited by modern zoological practices.

30%

* Performs cleaning and maintenance duties as required.

* Lifts hay bales, grain sacks and other equipment as needed.

* Performs ground maintenance in animal areas and around the zoo

* Performs basic maintenance and repair on habitats and enrichment items

10%

* Performs additional duties as required

* Attends meetings and training.

* Conducts educational sessions in the park for the public.

* Prepares reports.

* Provides guidance/assistance to new division employees as needed.

* Ensures compliancy with all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures in all duties.

* In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervision Received

This position reports to the Head Keeper.

General Direction:
The supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available, and the supervisor and employee, in consultation, develop deadlines, projects, and work to be done. Assignments are made in terms of broad practice, precedents, policies, and goals, but the employee plans and carries out the assignment, resolves most of the conflicts, coordinates work with others and interprets policy on own initiative.

Work may be reviewed for fulfillment of program objectives and conformance with departmental policy and practice.

Experience Required

Required

Education and Experience
• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• One year of experience in a zoological setting or in the field of animal care.
• Valid driver's license Preferred

Education and Experience
• College degree in an animal-related field.
• Two years of experience in a zoological setting or in the field of animal care. Machines, Equipment, Tools, & Software Used
• Computer
• Telephone
• Motor vehicle
• General office equipment (i.e., fax, scanner, copiers, printers, multi-line phone system)
• Basic computer software (i.e., Microsoft Office Suite, email, spreadsheets)
• Shovels, rakes,…