Job Postings

Hospital/Quarantine Keeper

Facility

The Living Desert

Closing Date
October 15, 2017
Description

Summary:
The hospital/quarantine keeper is a front line staff responsible for the daily care of the hospital and quarantine animals and is considered a member of the Animal Health Team. This includes the hospital and quarantine facilities and is considered a member of the Veterinary Services team. This keeper is a motivated, energetic and positive team player who is willing to make a significant contribution to the organization. This position may also assist the Veterinarian and Veterinary technician in the performance of their duties. The veterinary services team is considered the primary animal health team for The Living Desert animal collection and Rehab facility.

* The animal health team endeavors to practice state of the art veterinary medicine and maintain high standards of veterinary professionalism.
* The animal health team must have great enthusiasm for the profession of zoological medicine.
* The animal health team must have strong ethic and team-oriented work style.
* The animal health team performs all job assignments with a positive attitude that will move The Living Desert forward into the future.

This person must have the ability to make good decisions regarding the welfare of animals, staff and guests. This person will support the Zoo in our mission “to support desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation” and will help the Zoo achieve a forward thinking vision of a modern zoo and inclusive culture.

Specific Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Deliver uncompromising excellence in animal care, welfare and guest engagement
2. Observation and reporting on all assigned animals to Animal Management
3. Feed, clean, and assess all animals brought into the hospital and quarantine
4. Ability to make good decisions regarding the welfare of animals, staff & guests
5. Work with a variety of species across all taxonomic classes on a regular basis
6. Communicate effectively to Veterinarian staff, Director of Animal Programs and Animal Department management about animals under Hospital/Quarantine care
7. Coordinate with Animal Staff to move animals per quarantine process
8. Under guidance of Animal Department Management enrich and train animals in hospital/quarantine
9. Cleaning and disinfecting of animal housing areas
10. Observation and monitoring of animal behaviors
11. Collect routine fecals per quarantine protocol or as directed by Veterinarian
12. Preparation of animal diets and administers medications as directed
13. Capture and restraint of a variety of species
14. Report on general health, habits, behavior and appetite
15. Assist veterinarian and vet tech in preparing animals for surgery and other treatment as needed
16. Prepare/dismantle quarantine areas for incoming/outgoing animals
17. In absence of Veterinarian or Veterinarian Technician, evaluate health status of an animal, performs triage and contact necessary staff as needed
18. Document, file and recall accurate records as needed for hospital, quarantine, collection, rehab animals
19. Follow protocols to ensure quarantine animals remain separate from rest of collection
20. Excellent guests service and communication skills for effective & engaging public speaking. Gives knowledgeable and engaging hospital tour/talks for guests, staff and donors
21. Assist with medical procedures as needed including but not limited to routine exams, surgeries, trims and necropsies
22. Maintain a safe and productive workplace for animals, staff and guests
23. Communication skills for effective working relationships with all Zoo staff and outside professionals. Courteous with guests, staff and volunteers at all times while representing the institution at the highest standard of professionalism
24. Ability to work alone with minimal supervision as well as being an effective team member
25. Maintain a positive, productive relationship with all Zoo staff and contribute to a positive work environment
26. Ability to follow instructions from Veterinarian/Animal Management
27. Provide assistance to other departments or areas as needed
28. Other related responsibilities as necessary to accomplish department objectives

Specific Skills:
• In depth knowledge of zoo animal husbandry and observational skills
• Ability to work with potentially dangerous animals.
• Veterinarian Technician certification/skills is a plus
• Must be capable of emergency response handling to avoid injury to self, others, and animal.
• Ability to enter accurately medical daily reports using MEDARKS/ZIMS and animal daily reports using in house computer program
• General knowledge of computer applications including but not limited to Excel & ZIMS
• Software literate in Microsoft Access, Word, Excel. ZIMS knowledge is a plus.
• Good organizational, observation and active listening skills.
• Ability to give and comprehend written and oral instructions, and to accurately carry out those instructions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Must be a motivated self-starter who needs minimal supervision and be able to work with others as a team.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Ability to work at a fast pace while still paying attention to detail

Education and Pre-requisites

• Prefer AA, AS or higher degree in Animal Science, Biology, Zoology or other related degree. Prefer zoo or exotic animal care experience.
• Will substitute training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skill, and abilities. Generally, one year of paid full time exotic animal experience substitutes for one year of college level work.
• Must be able to obtain a valid California driver’s license.
• Must be insurable on The Living Desert’s automobile insurance.

Compensation and benefits

Not specified.

Application instructions

Qualified applicants must send resume, three (3) references and cover letter to RoxAnna Breitigan, Director of Animal Programs at animalcaremanagers@livingdesert.org Cover letter should include how you will be key in moving the Animal Department forward and how you will move The Living Desert mission forward.