Senior Zookeeper - Carnivores And More

Senior Zookeeper - Carnivores and more

Be part of the adventure and come Work Wild with us! Have an enhanced experience taking care of our wide range of animals, and enjoy your work day! This position will focus heavily on most of the zoo's large carnivores, Amur tigers, lions, snow leopards, cougars, Canada lynx, North American river otters, red pandas as well as hoofstock and large ungulates. We are looking for someone passionate about animal care and working with others to join our energetic and fast-paced team to provide the best care as possible to our animals. Come be a part of our ever growing conservation efforts and make a difference!

MISSION

We inspire our community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and our natural environment.

BENEFITS AT JBZ

We offer incredibly competitive benefits. This includes FREE:

• Life Insurance
• Medical plan option
• Employee Assistance Program
• Dental & vision for employee & family
• Long-term disability
• Short-term disability
• 12 full weeks of parental leave

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

We offer 6 days of personal time, generous vacation time, and 11 paid Holidays each year. We offer a 7% employer contribution to your 401K, zoo discounts, employee-only zoo experiences, tuition reimbursement, additional medical benefits to meet you and your family's needs, and a FREE Premium Zoo membership for you and your family.

GRAND RAPIDS

Come live in the beautiful Grand Rapids where you can find live music, art festivals, outdoor recreation, and nationally ranked food and craft beverages. You can drive 20 minutes and be by beautiful Lake Michigan, hike and kayak by the Grand River, or stay downtown and enjoy a variety of food and drinks. Grand Rapids is known as Americas’ best beer city, nation's craft beverage capital, and a top 20 U.S. Foodie city. There is a little bit of everything here in Grand Rapids to attract everyone including our growing zoo!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A ZOOKEEPER

The Zookeeper performs technical animal management work in accordance with established procedures and protocols, required for proper care and maintenance of animals under human care at the John Ball Zoo. This includes the care and feeding of exotic and domestic animals; the cleaning and maintenance of buildings, exhibits, and yards; and observation and reporting on the physical and behavioral condition of the animals.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WOULD BE:

• Skilled in proper interpretive techniques to relay information to visiting public
• Knowledgeable of and experienced with modern principles of animal care and welfare, including behavioral enrichment, medical treatments, exhibitory, nutrition, disease, transport, and positive reinforcement-based training techniques.
• Performs advanced animal care and management, including but not limited to animal procedures, escape response, capture and restraint, transports, introductions, and training
• Willing to work holidays, weekends and a shift adjustment in the summer months.
• Experienced with or interested in working with large and small carnivores, hoofstock, and other small mammals.
• A strong and effective communicator and a strong team player.
• Capable of following all zoo and industry safety guidelines.
• Capable of demonstrating professionalism and maturity at all times
• A positive, energetic, and supportive co-worker.
• Innovative and willing to look for solutions.
• Serve as a resource and provides training for all animal care staff, volunteers, and interns in the development of job skills related to daily animal care
• SCUBA certified from a recognized dive training organization or able to be trained in SCUBA
• Provides guidance and/or assistance on teams and special projects as directed by Area Curators, Supervisors, and the General Curator (e.g., intern program, exhibit design teams, project leadership, etc.)

John Ball Zoo is a drug-free workplace under federal regulations. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.