Animal Keeper - Herps and Aquatics Tulsa Zoo -
Tulsa, OK
Organization: Tulsa Zoo
(AZA Member)
Location: Tulsa, OK, United States
Job or Internship: Job
Summary: This position is responsible for the daily care, maintenance and observation of assigned animal collection by performing the duties and responsibilities below. Knowledge of aquatic life support systems is required.
Qualifications: B.S. degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science or other related degree and at least six months of exotic animal experience. Will substitute training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skill, and abilities. Generally, one year of full time exotic animal experience will translate to one year of college. Valid Oklahoma driver license. Must be insurable on TZMI’s automobile policy. Must be energetic with good communication skills.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Daily cleaning of animal exhibits, service areas and holding units utilizing various tools, instruments, disinfectants; and with the ability to do so safely.
2. Diet preparation, feeding and restocking of feed supplies as needed and as prescribed.
3. General maintenance of exhibits, service areas and holding units such as: fence repair, decoration, mister system, automatic drinkers, shade cloth, fill holes etc.
4. Designs and constructs exhibits/holding units by cutting and moving branches to plant or secure them to walls with dirt, cement, wire, nails; installs nest boxes and barrels, attaches burlap to cage walls to provide privacy; maintains plants in exhibits.
5. Captures and restrains animals for shipping/loading or routine/non-routine medical procedures; captures animals by hand, net, catch pole, or by corralling them under direction of supervisor.
6. As assigned, assists Veterinary Services with medical treatments such as prescribed medication/treatments, weighing/measuring, surgery and restraint/capture of animals.
7. Daily observation of animal collection for injury, illness, aggression, stress, breeding activity, diet intake and fecal consistency.
8. Keep accurate records of daily observations of animal collection containing information regarding behavior, intake, fecal output, breeding behavior, aggression, behavioral enrichment, capture/restraint, prescribed medical treatments in-house moves and acquisitions/de-acquisitions.
9. Works with animal collection on a one-to-one basis such as crate training, practicing commands, clicker training, banding, tagging, and orientating animals to new enclosures.
10. Under direction of animal curator, devise and implement breeding protocols, diet revisions, exhibit designs and maintenance.
11. Researches the animal collection; researches scientific journals, observes and recognizes a variety of courtship behaviors; creates environments that induce breeding.
12. Monitors incubation process of eggs; records weight and size, sets eggs in containers of correct substrate/H20 ratio, monitors temperature and humidity, candles eggs to determine fertility and assists egg hatching or removes dead neonate from egg.
13. Assist in acquisition/de-acquisition of animal collection by crate training, crating of animal, loading, transportation and shipment.
14. Participates with the daily behavioral husbandry and enrichment of animal collection.
15. Train, assist and supervise work of volunteers/interns and ensure their safety while performing these duties.
16. Recognize signs of pest infestation in animal areas and combat pests as directed.
17. Attends and participates in staff meetings to discuss the needs of the animal collection and animal staff, resolve problems and learn of new procedures and policies.
18. Participates in visitor education programs, formal and informal animal presentations and outreach programs, scheduled keeper talks and provide accurate information to the public.
19. Maintain a safe and productive workplace for animals, visitors and staff.
20. Able to deal courteously and effectively with the public at all times, and to represent the institution at the highest standard of professionalism.
21. Able to establish and maintain effective and professional working relations with co-workers and other department personnel, and to do so in accordance with The TZMI Employee Handbook.
22. Provides assistance to other departments as needed.
23. Other related responsibilities as necessary to accomplish department objectives.
This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.
Equipment Used:
Automatic and standard transmission vehicles, rake, shovel, wheel barrow, catch pole, capture nets, snake hook, small hand held and power tools (hammer, screwdriver, drill, wire cutters etc.), scale, garden hose.
Specific Skills:
General knowledge of zoo animal husbandry and observational skills.
Ability to work with potentially dangerous animals.
Must be capable of emergency response handling to avoid injury to self, others, and animal.
Good observational skills.
Must have strong organizational skills.
Ability to record observations intelligently
Ability to give and comprehend written and oral instructions, and to accurately carry out such instructions.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Must be a motivated self-starter who needs minimal supervision.
Must have communication skills and the ability to work with others in a team setting.
Conditions of Work: PHYSICAL EFFORT: Standing, walking, twisting, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching motions, lifting up to 50lbs.
DISCOMFORT/RISK: Exposure to extreme heat, chemicals, and dust/airborne materials. Works with potentially dangerous animals (i.e. large ungulates, carnivores, venomous animals).
HOLIDAY WORK: Holiday and weekend work required.
TRAVEL: Occasional conference and workshop attendance available. If funding available some or all expenses paid.
Please email resume or CV along with cover letter to bdowner@tulsazoo.org
Association of Zoos and Aquariums - 11 months ago
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