The City of Atascadero is excited to announce a recruitment for a

LEAD ZOOKEEPER - INTERNAL ONLY

This is an internal recruitment only. Come build your career on California's beautiful Central Coast — where meaningful zoo work meets an exceptional quality of life. The Central Coast Zoo is a small, 5-acre AZA accredited zoological facility located in and managed by the City of Atascadero, which is a beautiful California central coast community located in San Luis Obispo County. We have a population of 30,000 residing in an area just under 27 square miles. Our community is a great place to live, work and raise a family! We are situated along Highway 101, halfway between the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The community is located in the Paso Robles wine region and is a short 20-minute drive to the beach and Highway 1. We are within a three-hour drive to Yosemite National Park and two hours to Monterey or Carmel. For those that enjoy the outdoors, we are close to four local lakes, a national forest and endless hiking and biking trails.

GENERAL PURPOSE

To perform highly skilled work in a variety of areas which include maintenance of exhibits, guest services, animal records and operations of daily zoo business. This position is a working keeper position with added specific job responsibilities. This position performs supervisory duties and highly specialized maintenance, animal husbandry, and the completion of zoo projects. Performs a variety of administrative, technical and supervisory work related to zoo operations which include Vet Tech duties; Registrar duties; ordering; coordinating animal shipping with other zoos; and other administrative duties. Performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled exhibit improvement and maintenance work; and operates and maintains automotive and/or specialized equipment related to assignment. Positions in this classification are assigned to a leadership role and are responsible for the successful completion of specialized work projects and routine assignments. This job class requires the application of highly specialized knowledge and skill in one or more areas and functions at a journey level zookeeper classification.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the limited supervision of the Director within a framework of policies and procedures. Positions in this class may work independently on established tasks or in assigned areas of responsibility.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises and monitors the work of zoo employees as well as temporary, volunteer or non-City employees in the accomplishment of specific projects as assigned in a lead capacity. Works in conjunction and coordination with other Lead Zookeeper(s) and Zoo Director. Allocates animal care job tasks and job resources. Demonstrates leadership behaviors, provides coaching, and is responsible for keeper team performance. The duties and responsibilities listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Provides direct animal care daily, including monitoring of all animals in the zoo, observing and recording animal behavior and condition for illness, compatibility, imminent birth and other signs reflecting the animals' well-being; and reporting abnormalities to the Director and/or veterinary staff. Assists Zoo Director with supervision of keeper staff Supervises routine maintenance of exhibit areas, public areas of the zoo and prescribed "off exhibit" areas. Makes suggestions for exhibit modification and reviews suggestions with Director. Leads training and enrichment process. Demonstrates and coaches peers in appropriate capture and restraint techniques. Assists the veterinarian and administrative staff in the diagnosis, treatment and extended care of sick or injured animals, such as the administration of medication and daily care including normal daily feeding and cleaning routines. May maintain animal records and inventory on Global 360 software system, with training. Maintains animal records pertinent to animal history, health, breeding, diet and behavior. Assists Director with development of portions of annual zoo budget, inventory of supplies and feeds, orders supplies as needed. Coordinates with personnel from other agencies and zoos on the transfer of animals; including coordinating shipping and preparing all licensing and other paperwork needed to complete the transfer. May include duties as Licensed Veterinary Technician for the zoo. Advises with surgery, radiology, and treatment of animal patients; maintains animal medical records and treatment logs (examples: anesthesia, radiology, drugs, etc.), as required; maintains and cares for treatment room supplies and equipment. Advises on the safe handling of in-coming and out-going animals to the Zoo. Performs exam room preparation.

Assists in:

Examinations, filling prescriptions, administration of injections, prepping surgery animals including gas anesthesia, surgery, dental cleaning, radiology, drawing blood samples and sterilizing instruments and packs. Makes animal care decisions and supervises daily operations in the absence of the Director. Assists Zoo Director with implementation of collection plan. Performs a variety of skilled maintenance and repair work. Reviews the needs of the department with the Director. Identifies problems in emergency situations; develops a plan or solution following prescribed policies or procedures. Ensures exhibits meet quality presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance. Consistently communicates critical information to Director and staff. May assist with zoo capital projects. Ensures all regulating standards are met. Ensures consistent operating practices and holds staff accountable for their performance. Ensure the adherence to safe work practices and procedures. Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required. Assist the Zoo Director in developing and installing administrative procedures and operations related to programs and to evaluate their efficiency and effectiveness. Coordinates and participates in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities, and provides staff leadership on achieving these goals and objectives. Establish strong cooperative working relationships, both within and outside the organization. Exercise strong judgment, discretion, prioritization and time management skills.

Education and Experience:

Graduation from a standard senior high school or GED equivalent, and Minimum four (4) years of experience and above-average job performance in a zoo, wildlife park, or closely related activity, or An equivalent combination of education, training and experience to sufficiently demonstrate the knowledge and abilities necessary for the satisfactory performance of the job. A Bachelor's degree in Life Science (biology, zoology, ecology) is preferred. Registered Veterinary Technician license may be required.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Ability to supervise the work of other employees; monitor and set work performance standards. Knowledge of animal taxonomy. Working knowledge of operating characteristics, exhibit maintenance requirements, and animal care and handling in an accredited zoo or wildlife park. Knowledge of USDA Animal Welfare Act. Thorough knowledge of the methods, tools, equipment, and practices utilized in specialized animal husbandry and basic animal health care. Working knowledge of safety procedures used in an accredited zoo or wildlife park. Ability to work in all areas of the zoo, while in close proximity to potentially dangerous animals. Knowledge of industry best practices and ability to share best practices with coworkers. Ability to properly and safely operate a variety of tools and vehicles. Ability to safely and effectively perform specialized and skilled exhibit maintenance and animal care work; general maintenance work. Possess well-developed observational skills. Skill in the courteous treatment of zoo visitors and volunteers. Ability to direct and monitor the work of others. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; accurately maintain a variety of records; understand and follow oral and written instructions; meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform required duties; establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties. Some basic computer and common office software knowledge and skills. Ability to coach and mentor other employees. Ability to supervise animal care staff and maintenance staff in absence of Zoo Director.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of valid and appropriate California driver license and a satisfactory driving record. Association with a regional zoo professional activity or association. (AAZK, AZA or other professional organization). Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 3211.9, service is essential in times of extreme emergency or disaster. For this reason, State law designates public employees as "Disaster Service Workers". Even when off-duty, this position may be required to return to duty in case of emergency or disaster.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

A variety of automotive and specialized equipment including progator, power and hand tools such as blowers, mowers, motorized vehicles, mobile radio, phone and computer.

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. Work is performed mostly in outdoor settings. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to talk and hear; stand, walk, sit stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee will occasionally be required to climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the 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 frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud in the field.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests might be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Working together to Serve , Build Community , and Enhance Quality of Life