Section Keeper

General description:

Performs basic animal husbandry for animals in BLUE section to include hoof stock, farm, and prairie animals. Reports to Blue Area Supervisor. Subject to 24-hour on call availability for emergencies. This position may rotate throughout the zoo as a Relief Keeper as needed due to training and scheduling.

Duties & responsibilities:

• Animal Husbandry

  • Provide overall daily care of 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 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:

Must possess a working knowledge of similar or related work, including assistance with veterinary procedures, ability to follow written and oral directions, ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and make decisions. SK must be able to foresee and apply safety precautions where necessary. The position will require working weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hours assignments. Must obtain a valid CO drivers license within 30 days.

Environment and Physical Requirement:

COVID INFORMATION
Vaccination is recommended.

SK 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. SK will work primarily, about 75% of the time, outdoors in the heat and cold. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is intended as a guide to the general job responsibilities and is not inclusive of every duty the employee is expected to perform.

Experience Required

Minimum qualifications: High school diploma (or equivalent) and 1 year zoo work experience, or 2-year college degree and 2 internship at an AZA facility (preferred), or a 4-year college degree and 1 internship at an AZA facility. Candidates currently enrolled in a related educational program will be considered.