Animal Swing Keeper
Location
Springfield, Missouri, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
1-7 years
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Posted
2h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
This role involves the daily care and husbandry of a diverse animal collection, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Responsibilities include diet preparation, medical care, record keeping, exhibit maintenance, and animal training, with opportunities for mentorship and leadership for higher-level keepers.
Wonders of Wildlife is seeking a dynamic Animal Swing Keeper 1, 2, or Senior to join our animal care team. Working under the Lead Keeper and Curatorial Staff, this position supports the safe, efficient, and high-quality care of the department’s animal collection.
Essential Functions — All Levels
Provide daily husbandry for mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, including diet preparation, medical care, record keeping, and exhibit maintenance.
Maintain clean, safe environments that promote animal health and welfare, including exhibits, quarantine, service, and holding areas.
Conduct animal training, behavioral observation, enrichment, and educational animal encounters as assigned.
Communicate effectively with staff and volunteers to coordinate daily activities.
Assist museum staff and visitors in a professional, courteous manner.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of Wonders of Wildlife’s mission.
Additional Responsibilities — Keeper 2
Train, educate, and mentor volunteers, interns, and less-experienced staff.
Participate in internal animal care committees, including Training and Enrichment.
Support department projects and animal care initiatives.
Additional Responsibilities — Senior Keeper
Demonstrate advanced husbandry knowledge and consistently maintain high standards of animal care, including feedings, water quality monitoring, treatments, exhibit maintenance, behavioral training, and enrichment programs.
Serve as a role model and point person for husbandry practices; mentor and train staff, interns, and volunteers.
Participate in AZA activities, serving as Institutional Representative (IR) for assigned species and supporting conservation programs.
Assist Leads with daily/weekly operations, team projects, goals, and timely response to animal welfare concerns.
Assist with management, hiring, and training of interns.
Exercise sound judgment in animal care, emergencies, and projects, particularly when Curatorial Staff are unavailable.
Maintain positive, cooperative working relationships across departments.
Participate in monthly professional development to advance husbandry knowledge.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Biology or related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered at WOW’s discretion.
Professional animal care experience with mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
Experience with operant conditioning/behavior shaping and animal training.
Experience developing, distributing, observing, and documenting enrichment.
Experience supervising or mentoring interns and/or volunteers.
Strong teamwork, communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Exceptional attention to detail and accurate record keeping; ability to follow and communicate written and verbal instructions.
Proficiency with PCs and Microsoft Office products.
Ability to troubleshoot mechanical and animal behavioral issues.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and maintain a high level of concentration.
Physical & Other Requirements
Approximately 75% walking/standing, 10% sitting, and 15% bending/crouching.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and work safely in tight holding areas, exhibit spaces, mechanical rooms, and office environments.
Ability to provide proof of a negative TB test.
Willingness to receive rabies vaccination.
Ability to perform all essential job functions safely and effectively.
Updated 2h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
1-7 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
Compensation not disclosed
Benefits and perks
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
Team size
Growing team
Location
Springfield, Missouri, United States
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium consists of an all-new 1.5-million-gallon Aquarium Adventure showcasing 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds, and immersive Wildlife Galleries that bring visitors eye-to-eye with the greatest collection of record-setting game animals ever assembled. Created by noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder/CEO Johnny Morris, the 350,000-square-foot experience celebrates people who hunt, fish, and act as stewards of the land and water.
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Animal Swing Keeper
Springfield, Missouri, United States • Full Time