EXPERIENCE:
At least one year of experience is required with Great Apes, particularly gorillas, in an AZA accredited zoo.

KNOWLEDGE:
Two years of college level education (60 semester credit hours) in zoology, biology, animal husbandry or a related field of which 24 semester hours must be credit hours in life sciences or physical sciences.

A certificate of completion from an acceptable animal care program of not less that 30 semester hours may be substituted for 30 hours of college.

SUPERVISION:	
May serve as a lead person for zookeeper apprentices or volunteers.

SKILLS: 

PHYSICAL EFFORT:
This position involves considerable physical exertion, such as regularly climbing of ladders, lifting of heavy objects (up to 80 pounds) on a highly frequent basis and/or assuming awkward positions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
There are routine exposures to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture and air pollution.  The position may involve exposure to chemical substances and physical trauma of a minor nature such as cuts, bruises and minor burns.

PHYSICAL SKILL:
Requires the ability to make closely coordinated eye/hand movements within very fine tolerance and/or calibration demands; or the ability to make rapid closely coordinated eye/hand movements on a patterned response space within somewhat fine tolerance demands; or the ability to make coordinated eye/hand movements within fine tolerances with large equipment as an extension of the worker.

PUBLIC CONTACT:
Requires heavy public contact requiring considerable interpersonal skill, extensive interaction with the public and with donors, members and the press requiring a high degree of appreciation of customer service
