Association Of Zoos & Aquariums
Lead Zookeeper - Hoof Stock & Ambassador
Association Of Zoos & Aquariums, Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85718
Overview
Oversees care of a variety of dangerous and non‑dangerous animals and habitats. The Lead Keeper provides high‑quality care for the animals in their area and assists with habitat and night house maintenance. Working with the Supervisor, the Lead Keeper leads the team, organizes daily tasks, communicates with leadership and other departments, and addresses personnel issues.
Animal care includes behavioral observations, positive reinforcement training, enrichment preparation and delivery, cleaning, coordination with the welfare committee, supervision of keepers, and collaboration with the veterinary team. The Lead Keeper is responsible for daily record‑keeping (reports, medication logs, welfare tracking, enrichment records, training records, area notes) and must be knowledgeable enough to lead keepers in the absence of a supervisor.
General Responsibilities
Demonstrate and model the core values of the Reid Park Zoological Society (RPZS or the Zoo)
Perform duties in accordance with RPZS policies and procedures
Provide excellent customer service internally and externally as part of all job duties
Follow Zoo safety protocols and procedures
Complete all required training
Perform daily cleaning associated with the animal night house, habitat, and visitor viewing area
Provide husbandry care for animals in the area (feeding, medicating, training, enriching, and species‑specific care)
Complete reports including daily animal reports, enrichment logs, water quality logs, training logs, medication logs, animal incident reports, etc.
Assist other keepers on new activities (e.g., weigh an animal, design enrichment)
Develop and implement enrichment activities following AZA guidelines and department protocols
Train using positive reinforcement to aid animal management and promote visitor education
Monitor animal welfare and report concerns to supervisor
Follow all animal care protocols and policies
Assist in training new staff and mentoring volunteers
Communication
Communicate with supervisors on the progress of keepers being directly led in training or husbandry sessions
Participate in formal presentations, e.g., Keeper talks, special events, behind‑the‑scenes tours, etc.
Participate in AZA groups, including SSP and TAGs when appropriate
Health & Safety
Assist in capture and/or physical/chemical restraint & transportation of animals
Participate in emergency drills
Willingness to serve on the safety team
Willing to maintain proficiency with darting equipment & firearms if selected for the safety team
Respond to animal emergencies following approved protocols
Administrative Functions
Complete all animal records in a variety of software programs, including Animal Care Software, ZIMS, etc.
Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
Associate’s degree in a biological science, animal, or zoology‑related program plus three to five years’ experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, with approval from the Animal Care Director
Valid, unrestricted driver’s license
Current year COVID‑19 booster
Obtain and maintain a negative TB test or proof of negative TB result within the past 12 months; TB is renewed annually
Successfully complete a pre‑employment drug screen (THC not tested) and criminal history background check
Ability to lead other keepers through animal training sessions and complex animal shifts
Ability to give appropriate and honest feedback during coaching sessions
Work assignments are subject to the hazards inherent in caring for exotic & dangerous animals in a zoological institution
Demonstrate critical analysis, customer service, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision making, leadership, team building, time management, and motivational skills
Demonstrate ability to tactfully handle stressful situations, negotiate and resolve conflicts, maintain confidentiality, and observe organizational protocol
Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to foster and maintain constructive working relationships at all levels, with a diverse population of staff, volunteers, guests, donors, vendors, and community partners
Reliable, dependable and able to work assigned schedule regularly and consistently
Able to work a flexible schedule and adjust as required
Weekend, special events, and some holiday work are required
Physical Demands
Able to lift to 50 pounds often
Bend, stoop, kneel, and reach frequently
Stand and walk for long periods of time
Repetitious motions with hands
Ability to use hands to control power and hand tools
Must be able to work outside in cold or hot weather conditions the majority of the time
Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities
Bachelor’s degree in a biological science, animal or zoology‑related program with six to eight years of exotic animal care experience
Additional years of experience
Paid work experience in an AZA accredited facility
Bilingual (any language, including ASL)
Skilled with giraffe training for voluntary husbandry behaviors
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society is to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.
All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities, are encouraged to apply, and please contact the Human Resources Department if reasonable accommodation is needed.
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Animal care includes behavioral observations, positive reinforcement training, enrichment preparation and delivery, cleaning, coordination with the welfare committee, supervision of keepers, and collaboration with the veterinary team. The Lead Keeper is responsible for daily record‑keeping (reports, medication logs, welfare tracking, enrichment records, training records, area notes) and must be knowledgeable enough to lead keepers in the absence of a supervisor.
General Responsibilities
Demonstrate and model the core values of the Reid Park Zoological Society (RPZS or the Zoo)
Perform duties in accordance with RPZS policies and procedures
Provide excellent customer service internally and externally as part of all job duties
Follow Zoo safety protocols and procedures
Complete all required training
Perform daily cleaning associated with the animal night house, habitat, and visitor viewing area
Provide husbandry care for animals in the area (feeding, medicating, training, enriching, and species‑specific care)
Complete reports including daily animal reports, enrichment logs, water quality logs, training logs, medication logs, animal incident reports, etc.
Assist other keepers on new activities (e.g., weigh an animal, design enrichment)
Develop and implement enrichment activities following AZA guidelines and department protocols
Train using positive reinforcement to aid animal management and promote visitor education
Monitor animal welfare and report concerns to supervisor
Follow all animal care protocols and policies
Assist in training new staff and mentoring volunteers
Communication
Communicate with supervisors on the progress of keepers being directly led in training or husbandry sessions
Participate in formal presentations, e.g., Keeper talks, special events, behind‑the‑scenes tours, etc.
Participate in AZA groups, including SSP and TAGs when appropriate
Health & Safety
Assist in capture and/or physical/chemical restraint & transportation of animals
Participate in emergency drills
Willingness to serve on the safety team
Willing to maintain proficiency with darting equipment & firearms if selected for the safety team
Respond to animal emergencies following approved protocols
Administrative Functions
Complete all animal records in a variety of software programs, including Animal Care Software, ZIMS, etc.
Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
Associate’s degree in a biological science, animal, or zoology‑related program plus three to five years’ experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, with approval from the Animal Care Director
Valid, unrestricted driver’s license
Current year COVID‑19 booster
Obtain and maintain a negative TB test or proof of negative TB result within the past 12 months; TB is renewed annually
Successfully complete a pre‑employment drug screen (THC not tested) and criminal history background check
Ability to lead other keepers through animal training sessions and complex animal shifts
Ability to give appropriate and honest feedback during coaching sessions
Work assignments are subject to the hazards inherent in caring for exotic & dangerous animals in a zoological institution
Demonstrate critical analysis, customer service, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision making, leadership, team building, time management, and motivational skills
Demonstrate ability to tactfully handle stressful situations, negotiate and resolve conflicts, maintain confidentiality, and observe organizational protocol
Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to foster and maintain constructive working relationships at all levels, with a diverse population of staff, volunteers, guests, donors, vendors, and community partners
Reliable, dependable and able to work assigned schedule regularly and consistently
Able to work a flexible schedule and adjust as required
Weekend, special events, and some holiday work are required
Physical Demands
Able to lift to 50 pounds often
Bend, stoop, kneel, and reach frequently
Stand and walk for long periods of time
Repetitious motions with hands
Ability to use hands to control power and hand tools
Must be able to work outside in cold or hot weather conditions the majority of the time
Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities
Bachelor’s degree in a biological science, animal or zoology‑related program with six to eight years of exotic animal care experience
Additional years of experience
Paid work experience in an AZA accredited facility
Bilingual (any language, including ASL)
Skilled with giraffe training for voluntary husbandry behaviors
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society is to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.
All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities, are encouraged to apply, and please contact the Human Resources Department if reasonable accommodation is needed.
#J-18808-Ljbffr