Facility

Denver Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Denver Zoo is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, education, and guest experience. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission to secure a better world for animals through human understanding. We provide extraordinary experiences every day for our animals and visitors and our core values of Protect, Honor, Innovate, Serve, Engage, and Empower are evident in everything we do. We value the different strengths our staff bring to Denver Zoo. We expect our staff to embrace and to commit to our core behaviors for engagement: Passion, Respect, Innovation, Diversity, and Excellence.
Denver Zoo’s Animal Care and Conservation department has an opportunity for a full time Animal Care Staff for Reptiles and Amphibians to provide the safe exhibition, handling, feeding, and husbandry of animal species at the Zoo. Denver Zoo is seeking a qualified zookeeper to work with a diverse collection of reptiles, tropical fish, amphibians and some mammals. The primary responsibilities will include relief in any of 5 animal sections that have these taxa. There are some mammals in the facility, which include fruit bats, squirrels, capybara and howler monkeys. There are also two sections with primarily tropical fish. This position will primarily cover non-fish sections but with training could be expected to work in fish sections when needed. Venomous snake handling experience is a plus. The candidate should have experience with a diversity of tropical reptiles and amphibians. Some tropical fish and small mammal experience is desirable. The candidate will also be required to lead behind the scenes tours, present animal programs and potentially serve on various zoo committees.
There are a few opportunities for to work on conservation projects with reptiles and amphibians. Days off will be a pair of days during the week, no weekends or part of weekends are available and working night events or emergency situations will be required. Ability to work as part of a team is essential.
Essential Functions:
• Adheres to and promotes Denver Zoo’s mission, core values, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide innovative animal husbandry that is in compliance with AZA and USDA standards.
• Provide reliable, competent animal care through:
o Preparation and feeding of approved diets.
o Monitoring of physical and behavioral aspects of the animals under assigned care.
o Implementation of the behavioral program of the animals under assigned care.
o Designing and maintaining proper animal enclosures/props/exhibits.
o Handling and restraining animals appropriately.
o Assisting with veterinary care and medical follow-up as needed.
o Utilizing preventative husbandry techniques and providing proactive health care as required.
o Provide proper care for eggs, neonates and young (may require care outside of normal working hours).
• Capture, handle, and move animals using accepted Denver Zoo practices to facilitate internal movement, external shipping, medical procedures, or normal routines.
• Enhance breeding possibilities through the recommendation and implementation of approved animal management techniques such as breeding efforts, behavioral enrichment, and operant conditioning/training, etc.
• Interact with Denver Zoo guests in both formal and informal settings, providing insight about the animals and their care.
• Provide area tours, keeper talks and work special events in area of responsibility as needed.
• Train fellow keepers, interns, and volunteers in standard section routines.
• Respond to zoo-wide animal related emergencies.
• Coordinate the efforts of contractors and maintenance staff when they are working in animal areas.
• Record data and prepare assigned reports/records, (i.e. daily reports, enclosure logs, facility logs, water quality logs, etc.) and other pertinent data on the collection and facilities as required.
• Use appropriate equipment to perform essential duties.
• Cooperate and coordinate with other departments, (e.g., education, maintenance, horticulture) and outside contractors.
• Maintain professional working relationships with zoo team members and maintain a professional appearance.
• Actively participate in conservation, research projects, and educational programs as requested.
• Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees and work groups.
• Follow Denver Zoo safety protocols.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Denver Zoo’s Safety & Sustainability Policies by adhering to all environmental, safety, & health regulations, procedures, and goals.
• Value and consistently apply Denver Zoo’s ROADMAP (Reaching Our Audiences by Developing Mission Aligned Programs) process and resources in engaging and educating guests at Denver Zoo.

Additional Responsibilities:
• Performs various duties as assigned.

Education and Pre-requisites

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree in an animal-related or animal behavior-related field plus two years of full-time zookeeping experience in the care, feeding, and handling of a variety of exotic animals (birds, fish, herpetology, or mammals, depending on the specific vacancy) in an AZA-accredited institution. Comparable facilities may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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• Associate Degree or equivalent number of college credit hours in an animal-related or animal behavior-related field plus four years of full-time zookeeping experience in the care, feeding, and handling of a variety of exotic animals (birds, fish, herpetology, or mammals, depending on the specific vacancy) in an AZA-accredited institution. Comparable facilities may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Intern experience within Denver Zoo’s animal department will qualify for the AZA-related years of full-time zookeeping provided at least an Associate degree in biological sciences is held. Intern experience at other institutions will not be considered.
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• Individuals without a degree may be considered only with ten or more years of full-time experience at the minimum level of zookeeper involved in the exhibition and husbandry of a variety of exotic animals at an AZA-accredited institution. Comparable facilities may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Ability, with proper training, to work in all aspects of animal care, husbandry and training within the department in which individual is assigned.
• Work on weekends and holidays are required.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Operate a variety of light and medium equipment.
• Clear driving record.

Licensure and Certification:
• Possession of a valid Colorado Class “R” Driver’s License within three months of hiring.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands for this position involves light lifting under 25lbs and also requires carrying, pushing, pulling, and occasional heavy lifting up to 50lbs. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk and listen. The employee frequently is required to use hands to maneuver handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance; also, reach, stoop, kneel or smell. Specific vision abilities required include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception vision and ability to adjust focus. Minimal crouching, crawling, climbing, and non-confined sitting are also required. The position requires both mental and visual concentration.
Work Environment:
This position requires a substantial amount of contact with staff, volunteers, and other departments. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions and may be occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and chemicals. This employee will be required to have contact with animals and may be exposed to zoonosis. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation and Benefits:
This is a regular full-time hourly position with excellent benefits, including complete medical/dental/vision coverage, 403(b) retirement plan, and a generous vacation package.

Application instructions

Completed applications must be submitted by August 16, 2017
Denver Zoo reserves the right to close the position prior to the above date.
Denver Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please apply through www.denverzoo.org