Seasonal Zookeeper
Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Henson Robinson Zoo’s General Curator, a zookeeper is responsible for the overall care of the animal collection, facilities, displays, and exhibits. They are also involved in enhancing the overall guest experience and maintaining a positive work environment for all employees.
This is a full-time, seasonal, Collective Bargaining Unit position. Seasonal Zookeepers will function as relief keepers covering areas.
Specific Responsibilities Include:
- Prepare animal diets following the prescribed diets determined by the General Curator and follow proper animal feeding procedures.
- Clean animal exhibits, walkways, grounds, and other facilities within exhibit areas in accordance with the established Standard Operating Procedures.
- Performs daily observations of animals and exhibit facilities. Reports any abnormalities in animal behavior, animal health, exhibit security, and safety to their immediate supervisor or other member of management.
- Must be able to recognize diseases that might occur in captive wildlife. Carries out treatment prescribed by Zoo’s Veterinarian and General Curator.
- Recommends improvements in animal care procedures and schedules, exhibit maintenance, and safety.
- Successfully secure animals, their enclosures, and other associated structures.
- Zookeepers must stay current with animal training techniques and enrichment standards.
- Must interact with public in formal and informal encounters. Always remaining courteous while answering questions, enforcing rules, and educating.
- Performs maintenance work on exhibits facilities, grounds, and landscape, including minor repairs.
- Required to operate power tools, lawn care equipment, vehicles, traverse ladders and other equipment to repair and maintain the facility.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Associates degree in zoology, biology or comparable degree; or one-year experience in the care of animals in a zoological setting; or a suitable combination of education and experience.
Must be able to work with a wide range of taxa including reptiles, raptors, primates, domestic barnyard animals, and large carnivores.
For Full Job Description or to Apply:
Visit: https://www.springfieldparks.org/about/employment/
