Guest Experience Keeper - Part time

Turtle Back Zoo Guest Experience Keeper - Part time

Turtle Back Zoo is looking for a dynamic individual who is ready to receive valuable hands‑on animal care experience while providing for the welfare of the collection as a member of our Guest Experience Team. Applicants should have a practical understanding of animal behavior, ability to work with live animals safely, and good attention to details while closely observing assigned animals.

Individuals will carefully observe the condition of their assigned area and animal enclosures, and maintain accurate animal records as assigned. Primary duties include, but not limited to: daily husbandry of animals; cleaning, feeding, watering, observing, enclosure upkeep, monitoring health, medicating under veterinary supervision, record keeping, formal and informal education exchanges with zoo guests. Your friendly demeanor, good interpersonal skills and outstanding communication skills will contribute to creating an extraordinary guest experience.

The position also requires much of your time spent with guests monitoring animal and guest interactions as well as interpreting species and providing conservation information to inspire action with our guests. Guest Experiences at Turtle Back Zoo include a domestic farm, pony rides, budgie aviary, butterfly walk‑through, stingray touch tank and giraffe feedings. Our GE Keepers rotate throughout all of these therefore, good communication and organizational skills and the ability to work well alone or with others in a team environment are a must.

This is a part‑time position and is offered a maximum of 30 hours a week.

• High school graduate or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree or college coursework in relevant biological field or equivalent combination of training and experience preferred.
• Minimum six months animal care facility, farm, kennel, or equivalent animal experience preferred. Incumbent must possess an understanding of practical principles of animal behavior and ability to work with live animals safely. Knowledge of natural history, zoology, or animal husbandry preferred.
• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Good interpersonal and communications skills. Must be able to interact in a courteous and professional manner.
• Must be able to learn and integrate information, knowledge, and direction quickly.
• Must be reliable. Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
• Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience. Multilingual ability and Spanish fluency a plus.
• All candidates selected for hiring by Turtle Back Zoo must undergo a complete background and professional reference check, and those who are hired should possess the ability to lift 75 lbs. and work indoors/outdoors in all conditions is required. Physical aspects of the job include: enclosure construction / maintenance, stooping, sitting, twisting, walking (often on uneven terrain). The position involves working on weekends and holidays and is subject to 24 hour on call availability.

Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Rd
West Orange, NJ 07016