Relief Keeper
Location
Pueblo, Colorado, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
1-3 years
Compensation
$16 - $16 per hour
Posted
6h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
This role involves providing daily animal care, including food preparation, exhibit maintenance, and health monitoring, while adhering to established protocols. The Relief Keeper also participates in animal training, enrichment programs, and conducts educational talks for zoo guests, contributing to the zoo's mission of conservation and education.
Job Summary
This is a second level position in animal care, following established protocols to provide outstanding animal care for species throughout the collection: food preparation, feeding, exhibit maintenance, pest control, and reproductive management. Relief Keepers participate in operant conditioning and husbandry programs, provide approved enrichment, work collaboratively to improve animal exhibits, and prepare and conduct both formal and informal talks for zoo guests.
Duties and Responsibilities
Animal Husbandry
Provide overall daily care of assigned animals and exhibits to ensure animal health, safety, and welfare, staff and public safety as set forth by AZA, USDA, and PZ to include:
Observe and monitor animals’ general health and behavior, reporting any abnormal behavior to a supervisor and/or veterinary staff.
Prepare and provide food for assigned animals, following written instructions, provide water and administer medication as instructed to ensure proper nutrition and health.
Clean animal exhibits, holding pens, food prep areas, and equipment, maintain a high level of sanitation, conduct pest control activities and report any mechanical defects that would endanger the animal, zoo staff, and/or guests.
Achieve the highest standards of animal welfare and wellness by providing environmental enrichment and training sessions, using operant conditioning as applicable.
Participate in or assist with the capture and restraint of a variety of taxa including dangerous species.
Safety
Provide assistance with animal transfers and/or procedures as directed.
Follow all safety protocols and understand the animal keeper’s role in emergency procedures, responding to emergencies as required.
Communication
Update animal records and reports to ensure thorough documentation and enhanced knowledge of animal biology.
Interact positively and professionally with animal care and veterinary staff and volunteers.
Utilize the enrichment item/device proposal form to create new enrichment ideas and items to be added to taxa repertoires and properly record the results of enrichment items after use.
Collaborate with other zoo personnel as needed to meet the zoo’s mission. This can include, but is not limited to assisting and participating in media events, special tours, and public relations projects.
Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees, and work groups.
Be able to supervise and train volunteers and interns within the department as needed.
Habitat/Building Maintenance
Perform general maintenance and repair of exhibits: painting, repairing fences and shelters, abating erosion, planting ground cover and removing weeds.
Assisting with the beautification of the zoo by removing trash/debris whenever necessary
Other duties as assigned
Guest Relations
Actively encourage interest in wildlife through positive interactions with zoo guests via Keeper Talks focused on animals, biology, conservation, and environmental issues.
Knowledge, skills, & abilities:
Candidate must possess working knowledge of similar or related work, the ability to follow written and oral directions, exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions, supervisory skills, and ability to keep accurate records.
Physical & Environmental:
Candidate must possess physical strength and stamina, including lifting 50lbs, bend, climb, stoop, and reach. Requires working directly with grass hay, alfalfa, straw, and furred/feathered animals. Must have the ability to foresee and apply safety precautions when necessary. Must be able to work as an integral part of the zoo team and communicate effectively with co-workers, management, guests and employees. Must demonstrate the ability to be an effective leader and role model. Must obtain a valid CO drivers license within 30 days.
Minimum qualifications:
High school diploma (or equivalent) and 3 years zoo work experience, or 2-year college degree and 2 years work experience, or 4-year college degree and 1 year work experience (preferred). Candidates currently enrolled in a related educational program will be considered.
Updated 6h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
1-3 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 - $16 per hour
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Pueblo Zoo
Team size
Growing team
Location
Pueblo, Colorado, United States
The Pueblo Zoo's mission is to empower people to engage in conservation of animals and their natural habitat, with a vision to be the trusted leader in the community raising awareness of biodiversity and promoting conservation. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the zoo is home to nearly 200 animals across 125 species, serving 100,000 annual visitors and providing extensive educational outreach. The Pueblo Zoological Society is the governing body.
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Relief Keeper
Pueblo, Colorado, United States • Full Time