Animal Care Extern

Zoo New England•Boston, MA

17d•$15•Onsite

About The Position

Duties & Responsibilities Monitors guest/animal interactions in seasonal walkthrough attractions including petting zoo, and budgerigar aviary. Provide guidelines to guests entering the exhibits as per USDA, Animal Plant, and Health Inspectional Services guidelines. Answers questions, interprets animal behavior and engages with the public in a polite and friendly way. Identifies, collects, processes and distributes browse for various animals as diet and enrichment. Assists in the care of animals from all taxa, in any tasks needed. Participates in preparing diets according to specifications to some animals, checking foodstuffs for spoilage, feeding animals according to procedures, as directed. Cleans exhibits and adjacent public areas to insure sanitary and safe conditions by hosing, scrubbing, sweeping, raking, shoveling, and disinfecting to remove manure, unconsumed food, litter, and foreign objects. Assists and shifts free contact animals when directed by an attending zookeeper or supervisor. Observes animals for unusual behaviors or appearance, signs of stress, illness or injury, aggression, breeding, births, egg laying, hatching, deaths, and eating habits. Report observations to attending zookeepers. Continuously monitors animal wellness. Provides approved behavioral and environmental enrichment in accordance with zoo policy. Cooperates with existing operant conditioning programs, and strictly follow procedures. Maintains exhibits, public areas, off-exhibit holding areas and grounds, including some landscaping (e.g. weeding, raking leaves). Records temperatures; reports equipment not working, uses power tools once trained. Interacts with and answers questions of zoo guests by providing information about zoo animals and policies as assigned to meet the education and guest relations needs of the zoo. Participates in informal programs to educate the public. Monitors working laborers and contractors for animal safety and watches animals for signs of stress. Attends safety and professional development training as required. As assigned by their supervisor, assists in research projects designed to improve animal care. Participates in integrated pest control management as directed by the Pest Control Manager. May include, setting and clearing traps, and reporting problem areas. May be assigned to work in any area of either zoo and performs related work as required and/or assigned. Exhibits positive attitude, affect, attitude, articulation and affability towards guests, co-workers and colleagues.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED.
TB tested negative within the last 12 months before starting if working in primate areas
Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19
Must possess great written and oral communication skills to understand instructions and information of a technical nature.
Must have the ability and willingness to enhance the knowledge and skills needed to provide professional animal care.
Must have the ability and willingness to function independently and as a member of a team.
Must have the ability to work for extended periods in harsh climatic conditions.
Must have the ability to work safely around dangerous animals, chemicals, and around animals with contagious diseases.
Must have no allergies, diseases, or conditions that would prevent working in any area of the Zoos.
Must be able to withstand physical hardships associated with duties, i.e. assist with animal restraint.
Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.
Ability to use hand and small power tools, hand and pole saws.
Must be able and willing to work weekends, holidays, and overtime.
Must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license with a safe driving history and be comfortable driving to collect/distribute browse.

Responsibilities

Monitors guest/animal interactions in seasonal walkthrough attractions including petting zoo, and budgerigar aviary.
Provide guidelines to guests entering the exhibits as per USDA, Animal Plant, and Health Inspectional Services guidelines.
Answers questions, interprets animal behavior and engages with the public in a polite and friendly way.
Identifies, collects, processes and distributes browse for various animals as diet and enrichment.
Assists in the care of animals from all taxa, in any tasks needed.
Participates in preparing diets according to specifications to some animals, checking foodstuffs for spoilage, feeding animals according to procedures, as directed.
Cleans exhibits and adjacent public areas to insure sanitary and safe conditions by hosing, scrubbing, sweeping, raking, shoveling, and disinfecting to remove manure, unconsumed food, litter, and foreign objects.
Assists and shifts free contact animals when directed by an attending zookeeper or supervisor.
Observes animals for unusual behaviors or appearance, signs of stress, illness or injury, aggression, breeding, births, egg laying, hatching, deaths, and eating habits.
Report observations to attending zookeepers.
Continuously monitors animal wellness.
Provides approved behavioral and environmental enrichment in accordance with zoo policy.
Cooperates with existing operant conditioning programs, and strictly follow procedures.
Maintains exhibits, public areas, off-exhibit holding areas and grounds, including some landscaping (e.g. weeding, raking leaves).
Records temperatures; reports equipment not working, uses power tools once trained.
Interacts with and answers questions of zoo guests by providing information about zoo animals and policies as assigned to meet the education and guest relations needs of the zoo.
Participates in informal programs to educate the public.
Monitors working laborers and contractors for animal safety and watches animals for signs of stress.
Attends safety and professional development training as required.
As assigned by their supervisor, assists in research projects designed to improve animal care.
Participates in integrated pest control management as directed by the Pest Control Manager.
May include, setting and clearing traps, and reporting problem areas.
May be assigned to work in any area of either zoo and performs related work as required and/or assigned.
Exhibits positive attitude, affect, attitude, articulation and affability towards guests, co-workers and colleagues.