Biologist - Kids' Zone

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium of Parks Tacoma Staff Biologist - Kids' Zone

Based on our internal equity review process, the starting hourly wage for this position will be $29.88.
The full-salary range for this position is $29.88- $37.12 per hour.

This position will be assigned to the Kids’ Zone & Red Wolf Woods team, which cares for a fascinating and diverse collection of primates, small mammals, canids, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish, and terrestrial invertebrates.

Work where you play!
Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.
Who We Are
Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Tacoma Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more.

Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You’ll Love it Here
Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well‑being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission‑driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team.

You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information
Under the direction of a General or assigned Curator and the assigned Assistant Curator, perform a variety of skilled duties involved in the care, observation, maintenance, propagation and management of assigned animal species and the presentation of such species to the general public in an educational and attractive manner.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Staff Biologist performs a variety of specialized work including behavioral enrichment training and observation, animal health care, documentation of behavior and activity and related duties involved in providing overall care to an assigned animal group at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

Observe animal species on assigned schedule to determine physical and behavioral health and well being; check animals for abnormalities and report condition to appropriate Curator or veterinarian. Provide behavioral training as appropriate and directed for animals assigned to incumbent's care.

Clean animal exhibits and holding areas to assure the health of animals and the presentation of the species in an attractive environment; remove animal fecal and other material on a regular basis.

Prepare, store and distribute food according to established amounts, types and diets; monitor feeding habits and report any changes or abnormalities; monitor food levels to assure sufficient quantities. Prepare and administer medications, food supplements and vitamins.

Perform routine maintenance and…