Wild Animal (Hospital) Keeper, Part-Time (24 Hours Per Week)

The Akron Zoo has experienced remarkable success over the last two decades with tremendous attendance growth, strong financial sustainability, and an enviable record of repeated AZA accreditation certifications. This coupled with overwhelming community support demonstrated by the repeated passing of tax levy campaigns, which provide annual funding towards the Zoo’s operating and capital needs.

The Zoo is poised for continued growth and development having just completed new strategic, master, and conservation plans that outline several important projects including a new $25M+ African exhibit expansion which will add giraffe to the collection, a new animal hospital and increased resources directed to new conservation programs.

With that as a canvas, the Akron Zoo is seeking a part-time, 24-hour per week, Wild Animal (Hospital) Keeper with excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and a mature attitude. Physical work (which includes climbing and walking on uneven terrain; entering and wading into pools; climbing hills, stairs and ladders; wearing PPE; lifting up to 50 lbs.; and working outside in all weather conditions, etc.) Candidates must possess a proven working knowledge of animal husbandry, a strong conservation ethic, and exceptional interpersonal skills to provide high quality care for assigned areas.

• Hospital keepers must be comfortable with and adept at handling a schedule that varies from day-to-day and a variety of species.
• Hospital keepers are expected, with sufficient on-the-job training, to assist the clinical veterinary staff with medical procedures, assisting with non-invasive medication administration, and in some cases where appropriate qualifications exist, emergency chemical immobilization.
• Among other duties, they will help with animal shipments and transport and also assist in receiving animal food deliveries.
• Hospital keepers are expected to communicate well with the staff and managers who have overall responsibility for the animals in their care.
• Hospital keepers are responsible for the daily care, maintenance, record-keeping, and well-being of the physical facilities, and of the animals in their care in flex holding, quarantine and some hospitalized sick animals as assigned in the Hospital/Clinic area.

A four-year degree is strongly preferred; a minimum of an Associate’s degree or equivalent is required. A minimum of six months of animal care experience at an AZA facility is required; also a minimum of three years of progressive work experience is strongly preferred. Must be available weekends, holidays, and for a flexible schedule and must be able to meet all other requirements of the job. Experience with veterinary medicine a plus.

This position is part-time, 24-hours per week, Collective Bargaining position. Hourly pay rate $18.15-$20.65 based on experience as per union contract. Initial days off are Sunday through Wednesday (may change or be periodically adjusted with season/departmental needs)

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Therefore, this employee may be required to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by his/her immediate supervisor. The Akron Zoo reserves the right to revise and change job duties as business requirements dictate.

The Akron Zoo is a Drug-Free Workplace and an EOE.