Animal Keeper II

Oglebay Good Zoo

Animal Keeper II

SUMMARY

Provides for the physical and psychological well-being of zoo animals and enclosures; assists with interpreting the collection to visitors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Cleans and maintains animal habitats, service areas, and guest areas around and adjacent to habitats using chemical agents and special tools to assure the health and safety of the animals.

Prepares and distributes animal diets according to approved guidelines provided by the curator of animals.

Performs regular maintenance to animal habitats by collecting, installing and maintaining furnishings and substrata to maximize the guest viewing of the animal and to depict its natural environment.

Maintains horticulture and grounds in and around animal habitats using tools such as lawn mowers, weedeaters, sprinklers, and blowers.

Monitors and records health of animals with observation and periodic physical exams, monitors eating habits, behaviors and reproductive patterns.

Observes and interprets normal and abnormal behaviors, health status, and food consumption; advises managers of problems or concerns.

Supervises and assigns work to zoo volunteers and interns scheduled in keeper's area of responsibility; assists in training and evaluation of volunteers.

Maintains comprehensive records, reports, and training plans; handles routine correspondence from zoo colleagues and the public; maintains food, supply, and equipment inventory.

Reviews available library resources and develops a working knowledge of the in-situ and ex-situ biology of all species in assigned areas.

Conducts fecal, water chemistry and minor blood tests and other laboratory procedures.

Assists zoo veterinarians in the evaluation, examination and treatment of zoo animals; administers medications and provides first aid to injured zoo animals or wildlife until veterinary help arrives.

Assists other park managers with resident wildlife problems within the resort, may include trapping, relocation or euthanasia of sick or nuisance wildlife in accordance with state & federal laws and AVMA and AZA guidelines.

Monitors and reports physical plant problems and fire/safety hazards; trained in CPR, first aid and crisis response, may discharge pepper spray or firearms.

Provides for the psychological well-being of the animal collection by practicing, documenting and evaluating enrichment; recognizes and addresses abnormal or stereotypical behaviors; applies the principles of operant conditioning to facilitate animal husbandry and veterinary procedures; and completes welfare assessments for the species in their care.

Possesses sufficient strength, delicacy, agility and coordination to restrain, capture and/or transfer neonates, fragile or injured animals, or large and strong animals.

May hand rear neonates at home and/or return to the zoo at night to care for sick or newborn animals.

Provides informational, promotional and educational programs to guests and volunteers; may give tours to assist with training classes and to zoo guests.

Follows written and oral instructions.

Adheres to the code of professional ethics of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Interact with guests with a cheerful and positive attitude, solve guest concerns in a proper manner, and maintain harmonious working relationships with fellow employees.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises to the extent of assigning and monitoring daily tasks to interns and all junior and adult volunteers in keeper's area of responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical solutions.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Driver's License, CPR Certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above duties are not all inclusive, but are the general duties expected of this position. Management reserves the right to assign other duties as needed for the orderly operation of the department and/or the division.

Salary

$15.00/hr

How to Apply

Please email your resumé to both Susan Greathouse, Curator of Animal Wellbeing and Behavior Management, and Mindi White, Curator of Animals, at sgreathouse@oglebay.com and mwhite@oglebay.com.

Oglebay Good Zoo

465 Lodge Drive

Wheeling, WV 26003

Visit our website

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