Zookeeper
Elephants, Rhinos
Location
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
2-4 years
Compensation
$16 - $17 per hour
Posted
8h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
This position is responsible for the daily husbandry and care of African elephants, Southern White Rhinos, Grant’s Zebra, and Scimitar-Horned Oryx. The ideal candidate will be proficient in all aspects of zoo animal care, including husbandry, enrichment, training, and exhibit maintenance.
We are currently in search of a motivated individual to join our Pachyderm Team. This position would primarily be responsible for the daily husbandry and care of African elephants, Southern White Rhinos, Grant’s Zebra and Scimitar-Horned Oryx.
Now is an exciting time to join our team as we begin the process of designing a new Africa habitat, which would include new exhibits for our elephants, rhinos, giraffes and other area hoofstock. This renovation and expansion will serve to further the Memphis Zoo’s commitment to elephants in the future. The ideal candidate would be proficient in all aspects of zoo animal care including husbandry, enrichment, training, exhibit maintenance, record keeping, public presentations, and conservation. Candidates for this position should be self-motivated, hard-working, positive, dependable, who can work independently, but also thrive in a team setting.
Essential Job Functions:
Daily husbandry of assigned animals.
Facilitates formal and informal public presentations to engage guests and provide a positive guest experience.
Actively observes animals’ behavior, checking for any signs of illness or disorder; reports irregularities and abnormal behavior to supervisor; works with vet staff to address medical needs.
Prepares and administers appropriate daily diets and maintain accurate records of assigned animals.
Appropriately cleans and disinfects assigned animal enclosures/habitats according to written protocols and ensures a sanitary and safe environment.
Exercises good judgement when making decisions that affect our collection.
Assists hospital staff in all aspects of animal treatment within the assigned section.
May incorporate modern behavioral husbandry techniques such as operant conditioning and environmental enrichment into animal care.
Minimum Education and Experience:
High school diploma.
Some college level coursework in the fields of Zoology, Biology, Psychology, or related field.
Experience working with animals (preferably rhinos or similar large taxa) in a zoological setting and/or similar experience working large mammals in the field of agriculture.
Preferred Education and Experience:
Previous experience working with elephants and/or rhinos in a captive setting.
Competencies:
Written and Oral Communication.
Proficient in MS office, current technology and applications for communication, research, and record keeping.
Records and Reports Creation and Management.
Problem Solving/Analysis.
Stress Management/Composure.
Flexibility.
Teamwork Orientation.
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of the job, the employee will frequently work in outdoor settings (Zoo grounds). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold.
Physical Demands:
This position requires frequent sitting/standing/walking/bending/kneeling and may occasionally move or lift objects up to 50 pounds.
Other Requirements:
18 years or older.
Clear background check.
Clear drug screening.
Clear TB screening.
Benefits & Perks:
The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.
Updated 8h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
2-4 years
Certifications
How this role is positioned
Role classification
Job domains
Industries
Employment
Full Time
Contract duration
Permanent
Hiring type
Direct
Global hiring
Location specific
Offer details
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
$16 - $17 per hour
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Memphis Zoological Society
Team size
Growing team
Location
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
The Memphis Zoological Society is currently designing a new Africa habitat, including new exhibits for elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and other hoofstock, furthering its commitment to elephant conservation. They value a diverse workplace and are an equal-opportunity employer.
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Zookeeper
Memphis, Tennessee, United States • Full Time