***Recruitment will begin January 02, 2014***

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience: A High School diploma or GED, and one (1) year of confined animal care and handling experience, excluding personal pets. 
 
Licenses and Certificates: Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent from another state.

GENERAL PURPOSE:
Under immediate supervision, provide for the care of assigned zoo animals.

TYPICAL DUTIES:
Feed and care for exotic zoo animals and clean and maintain animal enclosures. Involves: Prepare regular and special diets to feed animals. Feed and water animals. Clean, disinfect and maintain cages, enclosures and exhibit areas as needed. Maintain safety of animals. Monitor animal health and well-being. Report animal illness or injury to appropriate staff. Assist veterinary staff as needed with administering medications, providing treatment and restraining. Provide care for animals such as by trimming beaks, nails and wing feathers, providing moisture for turtles, reptiles and birds, shearing sheep, weighing animals and other services as needed. Record animal information such as temperature and consumption to charts. 
 
Assist with behavior modification and enrichment programs for animals. Involves: Utilize system of rewards to condition animal to do things on command. Provide animal with interactive items and activities to relieve stress and boredom. Provide exercise for animals as needed. 
 
Provide assistance to other zoo staff and to the public. Involves: Identify maintenance problems and resolve or report as necessary. Assist with grounds and landscaping maintenance and construction. Test water quality in aquatic exhibits. Answer questions from other staff and the public regarding zoo animals, exhibits and related. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
•	Application of some knowledge of care and feeding of zoo animals.
•	Application of some knowledge of American Zoo and Aquarium Association principles and practices.
•	Application of some knowledge of sanitation and disinfection processes.
•	Prepare and feed animals regular and special diet foods.
•	Maintain accurate logs and records of animal care and observation.
•	Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the general public.
OTHER JOB CHARACTERISTICS:
•	Requires mobility within a zoo environment.
•	Works around a variety of animal species with potential for physical harm from bites, kicks, heavy lifting and restraining animals.
•	Exposure to infectious diseases from daily contact with exotic and domestic animals including bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral pathogens.
•	Exposure to power tools and machinery.
•	Driving through zoo grounds and occasionally in City traffic.

Salary:  $12.31 - $18.27 Hourly

Note: Recruitment will begin on January 2, 2014. On January 2, 2014, interested applicants must go to www.elpasotexas.gov to apply. Applications are only accepted online. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately on January 2, 2014. This position will close once a preset number of qualified applications have been received.
