Zookeeper - Nights Swing

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Milwaukee County offers a wide variety of interesting jobs for people who want to make a difference in our community. Milwaukee County provides a competitive benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If disability related accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.
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Milwaukee County Zoo
Zookeeper - Nights Swing
Full-time, Hourly
Hourly Range: $20.05 - $22.43/hr
Closing Date: 05/02/2023 @ 11.59 pm or upon receiving 50 applications.
Job Summary
The Zookeeper role maintains and enhances the welfare of the Zoo animal population in accordance with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) advanced standards for professional animal care. Responsible for the care of Zoo animals, their habitats, surroundings and support facilities; daily reporting of assigned areas and specimens; public engagement and education; and animal conservation and research. Incumbents must have a strong foundation in husbandry, training and a commitment to positive, collaborative team relationships. This is a 2nd and 3rd shift zookeeper rotation, including weekends and holidays. Ability to work independently at night, monitor life support systems throughout the Zoo, take decisive action, and implement prescribed animal health care is required.
Job Responsibilities

• Animal Care & Health - Provide the daily care to maintain and enhance the welfare of the Zoo animal population. Order, prepare and present approved diets. Observe, evaluate, record and report animal activities, behavior and physical condition with consideration of patterns and natural history. Ensure the tidiness, hygiene, and maintenance of animal enclosures. Collaborate with the veterinary team to promote animal health and nutrition. Train, manually restrain, capture and/or transport animals to facilitate medical procedures. Administer approved medications and treatments as prescribed.
• Professional Collaboration - Establish a positive rapport within mission-parallel professional organizations by participating in associated conferences and training opportunities. Collaborate with other Zoos, researchers, and wildlife organizations to advance the Zoo’s mission and animal programs. Serve as the Zoo's Institutional Representative for AZA breeding programs and participate in program leadership as practicable.
• Behavioral Husbandry & Welfare - Facilitate and participate in animal training and enrichment programs in alignment with established targets for species behavior and wellbeing. Perform welfare assessments for assigned animal population in accordance with established standards.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 75 lbs.; ability to push and pull up to 25 lbs.
• Public Engagement – Proactively engage with volunteers and visitors to enhance their experiences. Conduct formal and informal public presentations including animal care, natural history, conservation and research. Assist in the training of educators, tour guides and volunteers. Maintain positive, collaborative relationships with maintenance, grounds, creative, and all other Zoo departments.
• Other Duties as Assigned - Examples include but are not limited to: serve on animal emergency response team, provide backup coverage for animal commissary operations, support security and safety programs, serve on committees and parallel teams.
• Facilities Management - Ensure the tidiness, hygiene, and maintenance of service areas and surroundings. Operate and maintain animal life-support systems and environmental controls. Identify and report maintenance and pest control needs.
• Ability to safely and properly operate: County vehicles, snow blowers, skid loaders, pressure washers, bicycles, firearms, hand tools, power tools, general office equipment, and laboratory equipment.
• Administration & Records - Report and maintain daily records (e.g., animal feeding habits, diets, breeding behavior, health status, physical conditions, enrichment and training) for quality control and preservation in the Zoo Information Management System (ZIMS). Complete and maintain copies of work orders and other records regarding the operation and use of the animal area facilities.

Required Education, License/Certification and Experience

• Valid Driver’s License required. Valid State of Wisconsin Driver’s license required or must be obtained within 6 months of employment
• One (1) year or more of professional Animal Care work experience in an accredited Zoo required
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Animal Biology, Wildlife Biology, Zoology, Ecology, Biological Sciences or closely related field required

Note: This Original Examination is open to all qualified applicants authorized to work in the United States. The incumbent must establish residency in Wisconsin within six (6) months of appointment and maintain such residency throughout their incumbency. In accordance with Rule III section 11 of the Civil Service Rules a non-competitive examination will be held for this position. The non-competitive examination will consist of a review of candidate materials, education and related experience.
PG15 9500 PY
Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.
Effective October 1, 2021, Milwaukee County will require all employees to have completed COVID-19 vaccinations and provide proof of vaccination or have submitted a completed medical or religious exemption and accommodation request. All persons offered a position will be required to provide proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination at time of hire or have submitted a completed medical or religious exemption and accommodation request and been approved for an accommodation prior to hire.