Ambassador Animal Keeper
The Potawatomi Zoo is seeking a qualified candidate for a full-time Ambassador Animal position. The ideal candidate will possess the skills and expertise necessary to perform routine duties within the assigned area. Responsibilities include all aspects of daily animal care and husbandry for a diverse collection of ambassador animals. This position works closely with the education, veterinary, and animal care teams to ensure exceptional animal wellbeing and engaging guest experiences. A strong commitment to teamwork, professionalism, and excellence is essential.
This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position with competitive pay, determined based on experience. Benefits are available upon meeting eligibility requirements
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the daily observation of animal health and wellbeing.
- Maintains records on animal health and behavior, exhibits, diets, enrichment/training, etc.
- Assists with animal health procedures.
- Ensure AZA and USDA standards are met; maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Provide daily care, feeding, habitat maintenance, and environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity, lighting, water quality).
- Cleans, disinfects, and checks integrity of animal exhibits to ensure safety and welfare of animals, guests, and staff.
- Report maintenance issues and potential safety concerns to the manager; performing minor repairs and improvements of exhibits under supervision.
- Assist with animal handling, including capture and restraint; follows safety protocols.
- Assist in implementation of positive reinforcement training techniques to ensure safe and cooperative animal behavior for presentations and encounters.
- Implement behavioral training and enrichment programs to encourage species-specific natural behaviors.
- Educate and engage with guests through keeper talks, animal encounters, presentations and behind-the-scenes experiences.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors or management.
Qualifications
Skills:
The ideal candidate is passionate about animal wellbeing and committed to providing the highest quality of care for the animals in their charge. They should be:
- A critical thinker with a creative and innovative approach to animal care
- Personable, proactive, and self-motivated, capable of working independently with minimal supervision
- An excellent communicator who collaborates effectively across all levels of staff
- A problem solver who takes initiative and embraces challenges with enthusiasm
- Strong public speaking and guest engagement skills
Additional Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in an animal-related field preferred
- Experience working with ambassador animals in an AZA facility with a knowledge of AZA’s ambassador animal standards is mandatory for consideration
- Experience in animal training using positive reinforcement techniques.
- Possess a valid Indiana or Michigan driver’s license
- Current TB test
- Able to stand for up to 8 hours
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds on a routine basis
Work Environment
This role requires working near potentially dangerous animals, in all weather conditions, and sometimes in humid or wet environments. Physical demands include frequent walking, standing, lifting, and outdoor work in varying conditions.
How to Apply:
Please submit resume and cover letter to Jami Richard, General Curator, at hr@potawatomizoo.org
