Seasonal Zookeeper Jobs

Springfield Park District

Seasonal Zookeeper - Henson Robinson Zoo

Department: Henson Robinson Zoo

Position Title: Zookeeper - Seasonal

Reporting Authority: General Curator

Classification: Non-Exempt – Bargaining Unit Position

Salary: $18.37 per hour

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Henson Robinson Zoo’s General Curator, seasonal zookeepers serve as relief keepers and are responsible for the husbandry, health, and welfare of each animal in the collection. Our keepers work as a team and make strides every day to enhance the lives of our animals and the experiences of our guests. This seasonal position is 9 months with a 3 month lay-off.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Zookeepers must stay current with animal husbandry, training techniques and enrichment industry standards.
• Clean animal exhibits, walkways, grounds, and other facilities within exhibit areas in accordance with the established Standard Operating Procedures.
• Recommends improvements in animal care procedures and schedules, exhibit maintenance, and safety.
• Prepare animal diets following the prescribed diets determined by the General Curator and follow proper animal feeding procedures.
• Required to operate power tools, lawn care equipment, vehicles, traverse ladders, and other equipment to repair and maintain the facility.
• Ability to work weekend, holidays, after hour events, and some travel for animal shipments or continuing education is required.
• Must interact with public in formal and informal encounters. Always remaining courteous while answering questions, enforcing rules, and educating.
• Performs daily observations of animals and exhibit facilities. Reports any abnormalities in animal behavior, animal health, exhibit security, and safety to their immediate supervisor or other member of management.
• Must be familiar with ZAA (Zoological Association of America) Accreditation Standards and husbandry guidelines, and USDA APHIS standards and regulations.
• The schedule is flexible and days off are subject to change based on institution needs.
• Performs maintenance work on exhibits facilities, grounds, and landscape, including minor repairs.
• Must be able to recognize diseases that might occur in captive wildlife. Carries out treatment prescribed by Zoo’s Veterinarian and General Curator.
• Successfully secure animals, their enclosures, and other associated structures.
• Utilizes proper restraint techniques with animal and human safety always in mind: this includes the agility to safely net and maneuver with injured, aggressive, or handling neonate animals.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Zoo Director and General Curator, or designee.
• Must be able to safely work in all weather conditions, including extreme cold, snow and humid conditions typical of central Illinois.
• This seasonal keeper position is trained on 2 of 4 zoo runs and serves as a relief for full-time keepers.
• Train, direct, and monitor Zoo interns or others as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be able to work with a wide range of taxa including reptiles, raptors, primates, domestic barnyard animals, and large carnivores.
• Associates degree in zoology, biology, or one year experience in the care of animals in a zoological institution or a suitable combination
• Must be able to multi-task and adjust to changing schedules and time constraints.
• Ability to use a two-way radio
• Basic computer knowledge. Knowledge of ZIMS or other zoo record software preferred.

Physical Demands: Based on an 8 hour workday

Never= 0 hrs Rarely 0-2 hrs Occasionally 2-4 hrs Frequently= 4-6 hours Continuously= 6-8 hours

• Twist/Turn: Frequently
• Climb: Rarely
• Stand: Frequently
• Overhead reaching: Occasionally
• Lift: 11-60 lbs occasionally
• Stairs: Occasionally
• Squat: Occasionally
• Reach: Frequently
• Ladders: Rarely
• Lift : 1-10 lbs frequently
• Walk: Frequently
• Bend: Frequently
• Sit: Rarely
• Grasp: Frequently
• Kneel: Frequently
• Crawl: Rarely
• Push/Pull: Occasionally

Other:

• Ability to withstand heavy outdoor labor in extreme weather conditions.
• Ability to lift heavy objects (60 lbs) from ground level, move approximately 10 feet and perform this at least 5 times in succession without danger of injury

Corrected Vision must include:

• Seeing 20/20
• Normal Depth Perception

Corrected Hearing must include:

• Normal frequency sensitivity

General Requirements:

• Must possess valid Illinois Driver’s License.
• Must have basic proficiency of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Must present a neat and professional appearance.
• Responsible to follow policies and procedures outlined in Springfield Park District employee manual.
• Must possess professional phone skills and work well with the public.
• Must be able to perform basic mathematics.
• Good oral and written communication.
• Must live in Sangamon County, in the State of Illinois or must be willing to move to Sangamon County in the State of Illinois within the first 6 months of acceptance of a position with the Springfield Park District.
• Physical capabilities – lifts 60 pounds, squat, bend and move as necessary for the job.
• Must be able to read and write and have good command of the English language.

The Springfield Park District is committed to the provisions of Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action to its applicants regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, age sex, marital or veterans’ status, national origin, disability or any other legally protected status.