Education Animal Keeper Jobs

Position Overview

The Education Department at Wildlife Safari is currently accepting applications for an Education Keeper with great people skills, a passion for animals and education, and an energetic, positive personality. The Education position directly assists the Education Director in coordinating daily operations of the Education Department and is responsible for the development and implementation of educational programs including interpretation as well as the management of the department’s animal collection.

The Education position is responsible for the husbandry and well-being of all species allocated to the department. Duties include but are not limited to: cleaning enclosures, diet preparation, handling of all education animal collection, behavioral conditioning, daily enrichment, and medical care and admission of drugs under the direction of the Veterinarian/Education Director.

This position creates curriculum for camps and classes, runs day camps and homeschool programs, presents public outreach programs, conducts guided tours, overnight camps, and creates social media posts, flyers and posters. Other responsibilities include professional networking, public relations, and public speaking. The Educator will work with the Education team to market and enhance the Education Department’s unique programs as well as help with their evaluation.

Overall Responsibilities

• Suggests daily behavioral enrichment and training programs.
• Handles education animal collection as trained.
• Assists the supervisor in updating and writing of new protocols and safety procedures.
• Creates social media posts, flyers and posters.
• In the absence of the Lead Educator and Education Director, performs the duties of the supervisor in charge during emergency procedures in a Code as needed.
• Assists in capture, restraint, and transport of animals in the department.
• Conducts guided tours.
• Observes and communicates health, diet, animal behavior, and other husbandry needs of the department’s collection to the Education Director.
• Assists supervisor in animal introductions.
• Remains current with new husbandry methodologies, techniques, and programs in order to transfer appropriate information and knowledge to zoo staff through meetings and keeper training programs.
• Performs animal keeping duties extending to all animal husbandry and exhibit maintenance functions and ensures that established husbandry standards are met.
• Participates in guest/public outreach programs, creates curriculum for camps and classes.
• Runs day camps as well as overnight camps.
• Serves on special committees, for example, The Wildlife Safari Conservation Committee, or the Safety Committee, as assigned.
• Works with the Education team to market and enhance the Education Department’s unique programs as well as help with their evaluation.
• Dispenses drugs and treatments prescribed by authorized Veterinarian.
• Assists supervisor in overseeing and training new staff in protocols and safety procedures.
• Monitors the public ensuring the safety of visitors and animals.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to work outdoors and indoors in extreme weather conditions.
• Requires strong animal care, interpersonal, and leadership skills and the ability to work effectively with all levels of staff.
• Able to bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven surfaces.Ability to lift up to 50 (fifty) pounds.
• Good physical health, ability to pass pre-employment, substance and annual TB tests.
• Ability to remain a flexible, motivated, good communicator and dedicated team player.
• Prefer 1-year experience in work relevant to animals. 1-year experience as a formal or an informal educator or interpreter
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license with a minimum 3-year history and clean driving record.

Benefits

• Sick leave and paid time off
• Employee parties throughout the year
• 40% off in Restaurant and Gift Shop
• Free membership with recipricol zoo
• Vet and vehicle services at cost
• Health and dental benefits after 60 days
• Free animal encounters
• Aflac benefits

This is a permanent, full-time position. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Wildlife Safari is a drug-free workplace and applicants must pass a drug screen (including for Marijuana) prior to being offered a position.

Wildlife Safari will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Wildlife Safari will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of physical or mental disability in regard to any position for which the applicant is qualified.