Zookeeper

The Zookeeper provides daily care for various ungulates; Participates in animal well-being practices and assessments, including training and enrichment. Maintains safe, healthy, clean, and attractive habitats and public spaces and makes repairs or reports issues as needed. Engages zoo guests and has excellent public relations, organization, and communication skills.

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

Animal Husbandry and Management:

• Cleaning and disinfecting animal habitats, holding areas and exhibit features according to SOPs. Collects and disposes of refuse.
• Prepares animal diets according to prescribed diets; provides food and water to animals on a predetermined schedule and presentation plan.
• Cleans and disinfects dishes/pans and feeding stations.
• Apply natural history background information/knowledge and individual species information to identify assigned animals by prevailing characteristics.
• Visually Inspects, observes, interprets, and documents animal behaviors, body condition, weight, health status, food consumption and fecal output.
• Provides species-specific animal care as needed. i.e, bathing/soaking, grooming, nail/hoof trim, as necessary
• Administers first aid to injured or sick animals; provides medication to animals as directed by veterinary staff, including treatments, vaccinations, and annual exams.
• Maintains knowledge of current techniques, efficiencies, and best practices in animal husbandry.
• Operate heavy equipment to maintain yards and animals as needed.
• Work around and adjust for large animals, small animals, aggressive species, and flighty species.

Animal Well-being Duties:

• In collaboration with Zoo leadership and veterinarians, create and implement a goal-based enrichment and experiences plan for an assigned group of animals.
• Implement regular enrichment and experiences as outlined in each animal's plan.
• Plans and implements a behavioral husbandry plan allowing up-close observation and treatment of the assigned animals.
• Trains animals for behavioral restraint and participation in their healthcare.
• Conducts regular assessments regarding the well-being of assigned animals and adjusts according to results
• Collaborates with other animal care staff and other facilities to maintain best practices of animal welfare
• Assist the veterinarian in the evaluation, diagnosis, medication, and treatment of animals
• Maintains required husbandry records as well as animal wellbeing assessments, medical sheets, training, and enrichment logs according to established guidelines.
• Willingly shares information and ensures important matters are shared with all appropriate parties.

Animal Care Facilities:

• Inspects and maintains areas to meet AZA and USDA standards.
• Conducts daily inspections of their areas and grounds to ensure animal well-being and the security of City property.
• Ensures the safety of animals and guests by maintaining indoor and outdoor habitat areas, including proper containment; performs general maintenance to these areas as needed.
• Implements pest control program under the direction of the Animal Care Supervisor and the Pest Control specialist at the City of Hutchinson.
• Performs preventative or routine maintenance of animal environments, including collection, installation, and/or maintenance of furnishings and substrates.
• Opens and closes zoo buildings and grounds and assists in providing security during public hours;
• Collaborates with Zoo leadership in updating and maintaining the Zoo's Master plan and strategic plan.
• Assists Curator, Zoo Director and Parks leadership on exhibit design development and renovations as needed
• May assist with landscaping exhibit areas.

Guest Engagement:

• Speaks professionally and respectfully with zoo guests and answers questions about the Zoo, animals and other information.
• Plans and delivers formal and informal presentations for guests, including facilitating feeding opportunities for hoofstock.
• Promote the mission of the Zoo to the community and surrounding areas
• Communicates and guides guests to safety during emergencies when needed

Other duties:

• Coordinates and oversees animal care volunteers assigned to the area
• Assisting with other keeper staff as needed, training new keepers, interns and volunteers
• Actively participates in weekly staff meetings, monthly safety training sessions and emergency response drills.
• Carries out duties and job assignments as delegated by immediate managers or other appropriate members of management.
• Monitors inventory of food and other supplies and communicates needs to supervisors and requests purchases as needed.
• Assists with wildlife rehabilitation intake, exams and care as needed.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR SUCCESS: