Seasonal Zookeeper Jobs

Department: Henson Robinson Zoo

Reporting Authority: General Curator

Classification: Non-Exempt – Bargaining Unit Position

Salary: Per Contractual Wage Scale

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Henson Robinson Zoo’s General Curator a zookeeper is

responsible for the overall care of the animal collection, facilities, displays, and exhibits.

They are also involved in enhancing the overall guest experience and maintaining a positive work environment for all employees.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Seasonal Zookeepers will function as relief keepers covering areas.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Director and General Curator, or designee.
• 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.
• Recommends improvements in animal care procedures and schedules, exhibit maintenance, and safety.
• Ability to work weekend, holidays, after hour events, and some travel for animal shipments or continuing education is required.
• 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.
• Zookeepers must stay current with animal training techniques and enrichment standards.
• Successfully secure animals, their enclosures, and other associated structures.
• Performs maintenance work on exhibits facilities, grounds, and landscape, including minor repairs.
• Must be familiar with the AZA (American Zoo and Aquarium Association) code of Professional Ethics, Species Survival Plans, husbandry guidelines, and USDA standards.
• Must be able to recognize diseases that might occur in captive wildlife. Carries out treatment prescribed by Zoo’s Veterinarian and General Curator.
• Train, direct, and monitor Zoo interns or others as assigned.
• Prepare animal diets following the prescribed diets determined by the General Curator and follow proper animal feeding procedures.
• The schedule is flexible and days off are subject to change based on institution needs.
• Seasonal Zookeepers are typically laid off for 3 months.
• Required to operate power tools, lawn care equipment, vehicles, traverse ladders and other equipment to repair and maintain the facility.
• Must be able to safely work in all weather conditions; including snow and humid conditions typical of central Illinois.
• Clean animal exhibits, walkways, grounds, and other facilities within exhibit areas in accordance with the established Standard Operating Procedures.
• Must interact with public in formal and informal encounters. Always remaining courteous while answering questions, enforcing rules, and educating.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic computer knowledge.
• Physical Demands: Based on an 8 hour workday
• Ability to use a two-way radio
• Most 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.

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

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

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:

• Normal Depth Perception
• Seeing 20/20

Corrected Hearing must include:

• Normal frequency sensitivity

Speaking skills must include being understandable when speaking:

• On the telephone or radio
• In person

General Requirements:

• Must have basic proficiency of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Good oral and written communication.
• Must present a neat and professional appearance.
• 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.
• Must possess valid Illinois Driver’s License.
• Must be able to perform basic mathematics.
• Must possess professional phone skills and work well with the public.
• 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.
• Responsible to follow policies and procedures outlined in Springfield Park District employee manual.