Animal Keepr - North America

Summary: This position encompasses skilled professional and technical work in the routine daily care of assigned animals, enclosures and related facilities in the North America Department. Animals within this department include, North American river otters, Southern sea otters, black bears, raptors, canids, and manatees, with three species involved in active USFWS recovery programs (Mexican gray wolf, Florida manatee and southern sea otter). Work assignments will rotate between the four areas of the NA department: Manatee Springs, Wolf Woods, Sea Otter Coast and Bear Ridge. Duties may include related tasks and/or unrelated duties as assigned:

Duties include:

• Clean animal displays, holding areas, service areas, public sections and grounds
• Complete inspection of all enclosures and life support systems to ensure the safety and welfare of the animals
• Identify maintenance issues and correct or repair each as required, reporting non-correctable maintenance issues, including potential safety hazards, to a supervisor
• Observe general animal health and behavior, on a daily basis, and report any abnormal circumstances to a supervisor
• Maintain records of health, behavior, enrichment, operant conditioning and visitor engagement
• Prepare and follow prescribed diets and feeding procedures for the animal collection
• Conduct operant conditioning, animal experience plans and enrichment programs in assigned areas
• Instruct new personnel in the proper methods of animal care consistent with approved policies and procedures
• Assist in the training, supervision, evaluation of volunteers, interns, and vocational students, as needed
• Assist animal health, curatorial and zoological manager staff with animal handling, capture, restraint, transport and medication administration
• Develop and support visitor engagement programs
• Interact with the public and Zoo staff in a professional and courteous manner
• Make decisions consistent with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden policies and procedures when required
• Perform daily duties in all sections of assigned department as required
• Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Qualifications:

• A degree in the biological sciences or related field, desired
• Demonstrated knowledge and successful experience in animal husbandry with mammals, specifically marine mammals required.
• Required to be SCUBA certified and able to demonstrate competency to dive with collection animals (Manatees) and safely operate equipment during dives in animal habitats.
• Husbandry experience working with marine mammals required (manatees and sea otters preferred)
• Understanding and hands-on experience of aquatic life support systems
• Demonstration of knowledge and successful experience in animal husbandry, operant conditioning, and understanding of modern zoological practices
• Demonstration of excellent communication and problem-solving skills, while applying good judgment, to deliver animal care and guest experiences that meet the highest standards
• The ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with co-workers (including staff, interns, students and volunteers)
• Experience with outdoor habitat maintenance
• Experience/Interest in facilitating collaboration with multiple zoo teams, especially in regard to successful PR opportunities to safely/appropriately educate the public
• Successful applicants will actively demonstrate the Zoo's Core Values

** Equivalent combinations of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job will be considered **

Working Conditions: Employment is contigent upon the following:

1. Passing a background check, and drug & incotnie screen
2. Providing proof of current COVID vaccination status (most recent booster)
3. Must pass a dive physical in order to be accepted into the position

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; climb or balance and grasp objects. Employee must be comfortable working in water, both swimming and on SCUBA. Must be able to perform various underwater tasks while wearing SCUBA equipment and appropriate exposure suits, and withstand a range of water temperatures and bottom times. In addition, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; Must be able to lift & move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance; possess a valid driver's license (and insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle).

Position Detals & Benefits

• This is a full-time (40 hours per week with benefits) keeper position, which is subject to the successful completion of a probationary period and the deduction of union dues.
• Regular off-days will be determined upon hire but will fall between Tuesday - Thursday.
• Position is hourly, non-exempt, and the starting pay range is between $21.73 - $25.75/hour determined by years of field experience.
• Intentional professional development opportunities, for both animal care and "people" skills.
• We offer a highly competitive benefits package supporting our employees' Total Well-Being, including comprehensive & affordable medical, dental & vision coverage (starting the first day of the month following date of hire); free mental health counseling, Employee Assistance Programs, 401(k) plan with company match; flexible spending accounts; generous paid time off (200 PTO hours accrued throughout the first year of service, 80 of which is loaded into the PTO bank upon hire); company-paid disability & life insurance; park discounts and free passes.