An Animal Care Worker or Manager manages animal care and grooming for a retail store that sells pets or for a pet grooming business. May also provide animal care and grooming at a kennel. Works with animals in shelters or rescue organizations. Works primarily with dogs and cats. Assists veterinarians with vaccinations or other procedures; screens people who want to adopt an animal from a shelter and provides information about caring for animals.
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo is looking for a motivated and detail-oriented candidate to join our dynamic reptile team as a lead keeper, working with a wide variety of herpetological species. This includes a large number of venomous snakes and crocodilians- previous professional experience with these is preferred. Other animals will include non-venomous snakes, lizards, turtles/tortoises, and amphibians. This position is responsible for the daily care, maintenance and observation of the assigned animal collection and associated facilities. The ideal candidate will have proven experience presenting to crowds and will be comfortable on a mic. Guest interaction, including shows and guest experiences, may be up to 50% of each day. This position requires an individual with a high degree of professional experience who takes pride in work well done. The ideal candidate will be a proven leader, team player, and positive coworker, and adept at bridging communication between keepers and managers and delegation of daily keeper tasks. The priorities for this position include fostering a positive team environment, assisting the curator in day-to-day reptile team management and scheduling, attention to animal care, welfare, and health, and accomplishing an excellent guest experience through shows, encounters, and informal interactions. This position is ideally for an experienced reptile keeper with supervisory experience.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Work with the curator to assign daily and weekly tasks to the keeper team Monitor and review completed team projects, documentation, and husbandry prior to curator review Assist with staff scheduling and task designation Assist in exhibit upgrade/renovation planning and construction Train keepers on daily routines, associated animal and exhibit husbandry, and regular tasks Assist in upkeep of department SOPs Administer medical treatments as directed by curator and veterinary staff Providing general husbandry for a wide range of animals through cleaning, diet preparation and distribution, watering, observing, enclosure upkeep, propagation, monitoring health, and medicating under veterinary supervision Maintains animal habitats through regular maintenance, landscaping, oversight of life support systems including lighting, filtration, heating, and AC units, and care of living plants Data collection and input into the animal records databases; assuring that appropriate records are kept on all husbandry including daily care and animal health Exceptional use of time management techniques Keeping all public and behind-the-scenes areas clean, neat, and organized Demonstrating a positive attitude and willingness to adopt a general philosophy/outlook in line with the Zoo's mission Understanding the significance of their role and how they can positively impact visitors; proactive, friendly communication will be expected at all times, as well as anticipating visitors' needs and desires Presenting various species to visitors in shows and private encounters both on mic/speaker systems and one-one-one Take direction from the Reptile Curator and perform daily husbandry duties, tasks, and non-routine assignments within the work day Work collaboratively with other zoo staff and departments to accomplish zoo initiatives Inspect enclosures, tanks, fencing, pools, furniture and public areas for cleanliness and/or structural defects and to perform minor repairs and maintenance as needed Using email, Google Drive and related programs, and digital task management systems on a daily basis Performing other related duties as assigned
EDUCATION AND PRE-REQUISITES
The position requires knowledge of herpetology, including husbandry and exhibitory techniques, nutritional requirements, behavior, common diseases, capture and restraint and propagation methods. The successful candidate will need to maintain and develop a broad knowledge base on the proper husbandry of reptiles and the other animals in the collection. Candidates should have a proven record of professional animal care. Candidates should have a record of supervisory experience, or positive professional growth. Candidates will need to have good communication skills with both managers and keepers, be able to follow specific instructions, delegate tasks and train staff in a positive and consistent manner, and communicate activities and observations clearly in writing and verbally. Applicants must be able to present to small and large crowds and work well with large groups of children. Physical requirements include working outdoors in any weather, lifting 50 pounds, and repetitive work such as raking and shoveling. Candidates must be comfortable using power tools and be proficient in construction and exhibit design.
WORK REQUIREMENTS
This is a salaried position expected to work a minimum of 45 hours per week, usually a 5-day work week, often requiring ability to work weekends and holidays. Irregular scheduling in which days may exceed 9 hours, and weeks may exceed five days.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This is a salaried full time position that involves working on weekends and holidays. Compensation commensurate with experience.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Interested applicants should provide a resume with relevant experience and a cover letter.
Job Type:
Full-time Application Question(s): Are you available to work weekends and holidays Do you have professional supervisory experience?
