Animal Keeper

Job Description

Immediate Opening!

The Santa Barbara Zoo is seeking a full-time Animal Keeper for our Animal Care and Health team. If you are a dedicated, passionate, and experienced individual with a strong commitment to animal care and wildlife conservation, we encourage you to apply for the Animal Keeper position on this portal, outlining your relevant experience and motivation for joining our team.

Position Status: Full-time, Regular, Non-exempt, Hourly

Schedule: 5 days a week based on business need, generally with Tues/Wed off - 40 hours/work week

Compensation: $20.80 $23.90 per hour DOE

*You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position*

SUMMARY:

Under general direction of Zoological Manager, Director of Animal Care and V.P. of Animal Care & Health, the Keeper is responsible for the application of daily animal care, maintenance of exhibits, guest experience and applicable research.

In this role, you will work with a diverse range of taxa, including mammals, birds, and ectotherms. You will be responsible for husbandry, maintaining naturalistic exhibits, and ensuring the highest standards of animal care and well-being. The ideal candidate would also welcome the challenge of participating in the zoos local field conservation activities including California condor, island fox, as well as local bird and ectotherm species.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide exemplary husbandry and care for a variety of animals, both large and small

Maintain and enhance naturalistic exhibits, creating a safe and stimulating environment for the animals, focused on demonstrating natural behaviors

Actively participate in on-grounds or local field conservation activities, contributing to initiatives involving California condor, island fox, and local ectotherm species

Collaborate closely with the Animal Care & Health team, reporting to a Zoological Manager and the Director of Animal Care

Engage with the public through educational programs and public speaking engagements

Ensure the safety and well-being of both animals and team members in a strenuous work environment that may require lifting up to 50lbs as needed, navigate uneven surfaces, reaching overhead, climbing and other physical requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum of 1 year experience in working at an AZA accredited facility or similar facility with a variety of taxa

Proficiency in animal husbandry, exhibit maintenance, and behavioral enrichment.

A commitment to wildlife conservation and an eagerness to engage in local field conservation activities.

Strong teamwork ethic and personal accountability.

Excellent public speaking and communication skills.

Physical fitness to handle the demands of the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Animal Care:

Performs all basic animal husbandry and health duties in the safest manner following established Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) and protocols

Records the signs of normal health and changes in animal under his/her care using the daily report system

Records results of training sessions and enrichment to document and evaluate progress toward team goals

Develops and documents training and enrichment programs

Facilitates established animal presentations

Regular attendance necessaryUnderstanding/Handling Emergency Situations:

Responds to animal emergencies quickly and calculates risks involved for animal, guest and staff

Remains calm and creates an atmosphere of calm and control for those dealing with the emergency situation

Uses physical capture and restraint equipment as required

Evaluates the impact of emergency or mock situations on all areas of the Zoo and suggests improvements to the emergency response systemsGuest Relations:

Associates with guests to assist and share information

Responds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relation procedures

Meets exhibit presentation quality standards for cleanliness and maintenance to maximize our guest experience

Develops and facilitates formal and informal educational programsStaff development:

Supervises volunteers and interns

Shares critical information, best practices, and procedures on a consistent basis with staff

Coaches coworkers, volunteers and interns and provides informal feedback

Provides training for new keepers on husbandry standard operating guidelinesOperation and Business:

Exemplifies the highest ethical standards to ensure the health and well being of the animal collection

Ensures that all regulatory standards are met such as USDA Animal Welfare Act, regional, federal and AZA standards

Reports animal maintenance issues and potential hazards for staff

Ensures consistent productive operating practices by identifying areas for potential revenue generation, reduction of costs and more efficient procedures

Holds peers accountable for their performance

Adheres to Zoos policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Policy Manual

Attends bi-monthly all-employee meetings

Attends departmental meetingsSECONDARY DUTIES:

Greets every guest with a smile

Thanks guests for supporting/visiting the Zoo

Answers phone calls, voice mails, and e-mails promptly and in a professional manner

Insures the Zoos presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance are met by keeping work areas clean, picking up trash, reporting unsafe or unsightly conditions

Maintains a clean neat appearance and adheres to the Zoos uniform dress code

Takes responsibility to stay informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending meetings

Reflects the qualities outlined in the Guest Relations Statement and the Employee Pledge

Other duties as assigned to maintain efficient and quality zoo operations

POSITION CRITERIA:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and environmental characteristics described below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and working and physical elements required of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

Bachelors degree or graduation from two-year college program focused on captive animal husbandry

Experience in routine animal husbandry, exhibit maintenance, and behavioral enrichment in a zoo, aquarium or closely related activityLicense, Certification, or Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in Life Science such as Biology, Zoology, Ecology or closely related discipline is preferred

Previous work experience in an AZA accredited facility is preferred

Valid drivers license with good driving record is desirableKnowledge, Skills and Ability:

Available to work weekends and holidays, and when events are scheduled

Knowledge of animal behavior and natural history

Knowledge of procedures for observation, handling/restraint, training, enrichment, reproduction, facility needs and health of animals

A commitment to wildlife conservation and an eagerness to engage in local field conservation activities

Strong teamwork ethic and personal accountability

Excellent public speaking and communication skills

Physical fitness to handle the demands of the position

Understanding of emergency situation procedures, specifically those involved with guest and staff safety

Basic computer skills

Ability to follow oral and written direction

Effective oral and written communication skills

Ability to develop warm and friendly relationships at work

Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, our guests

Ability to exercise safe work habits while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals

Awareness of, sensitivity to, and empathy with animalsPhysical Demands & Work Environment:

Requires the ability to access all areas of the facility

Ability to negotiate the zoo work environment including behind-the-scenes, lawns, gravel, and hilltop

Must be able to participate in operational practices; including climb stairs, manipulate tools, and stand/walk for long periods of time

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including electric cart, two-way radio and capture equipment

Must be able to lift 50 pounds occasionally, and 10 or fewer pounds frequently

Ability to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly push, pull or otherwise move objects

The ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs

Involves working out of doors in all weather conditions

Supportive and open employment cultureTools Used:

Standard cleaning equipment such as hoses, rakes, shovels, and brooms

Two-way radio

Personal Computer and software (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Capture equipment

Electric cart

Hand tools

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Great team, beautiful grounds, amazing animal collection, sunshine & ocean view almost year-round!

Free parking, free guest passes, unlimited free tea/coffee every morning, 20% discounts on food services and retail purchases

Access to the Collabornation platform, professional development events, and lunch & learn opportunities

Comprehensive benefits package for FTR staff, voluntary supplemental insurances, zoo membership, paid sick leave, paid vacation time, 403(b) and SEP retirement plans, a paid conservation day, a paid Zoo Day to visit another AZA accredited institution, paid time off to take your pet to the vet, and much more...

*You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position*

Please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.

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This job description is representative of the expectations of the position described. Additional duties, reporting relationships, and/or position criteria may be assigned as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative. No changes to this job description shall be made without written permission by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative.

The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.

At this time, the Zoo does not sponsor employment or internship visas.

Full-time