Animal Care Keeper - African Safari

LIVING DESERT DBA THE LIVING DESERT•Palm Desert, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The African Safari is home to TLD’s breeding herd of giraffe, African painted dogs, and variety of hoof stock and birds. The African Safari keeper will participate in animal husbandry, training, habitat renovation, staff training and medial procedures for the animals of the African Safari. The Animal Care Keeper is an energetic front-line staff position responsible within a routine to provide the highest quality daily care, husbandry and behavioral management of a defined portion of The Living Desert’s (TLD) animal collections and is responsible for the daily care of assigned animal habitats and other associated animal facilities. The Animal Care team is expected to support the Zoo in its mission “to support desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation.” The team will help the Zoo achieve a forward-thinking vision of a modern zoo and inclusive culture. A TLD animal care keeper is an example to others while working towards an improved future and shared vision within TLD. This position educates, engages and provides exemplary guest service experiences for all Zoo guests through various programs, activities and continuous guest interaction as outlined by Animal management. Each Animal Care Keeper is encouraged to lead from where they are, bring innovative ideas forward and provide a high level of well-being for each individual. This person must have the ability to make good decisions regarding the welfare of animals, staff and guests while working for the greater good of the zoo. 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. This person must be a cooperative and collaborative team member with a great guest service attitude. Job description is a summary of the typical duties of the role, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties.

Requirements

AA, AS or higher degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science or other related degree and at least one year of exotic animal experience, required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Experience with animal training and public presentations a plus.
Will substitute training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skill, and abilities. Generally, one year of full-time exotic animal experience will translate to one year of college.
Valid California driver license.
Must be insurable on The Living Desert's automobile policy.
General knowledge of zoo animal husbandry, natural history and observational skills
Ability to use critical thinking skills to trouble shoot issues and reveal solutions to move the animal team forward
Ability to remain calm under pressure and remain levelheaded in emergency situations
Keep accurate and detailed records of daily observations of area collection animals containing information regarding behavior, diet intake, fecal output, behavior, health, weight, breeding, aggression, behavioral enrichment, capture/restraint, prescribed medical treatments in-house
Attend and participate in staff meetings to discuss the needs of the animal collection and animal staff, resolve challenges, and learn new procedures and policies
Familiar with USDA and AZA regulations and comply with them
Contribute and maintain a safe, positive and productive workplace environment for animals, guests and staff
Provides assistance to other departments as needed
Other related responsibilities as necessary to accomplish department objectives
Must have strong organizational, observational and time management skills
Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to accurately report daily information written, orally and with computer programs
Motivated, self-starter who can work with minimal supervision. Should also be able to work with others in a team setting
Able to establish and maintain effective and professional working relations with co-workers and other department personnel, and to do so in accordance with The Living Desert Employee Handbook
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
Ability to professionally and effectively provide and accept feedback
Ability to speak to guests and give animal presentations both informally and formally
Ability to record and articulate observations intelligently
Ability to give and comprehend written and oral instructions, and to accurately carry out such instructions

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Experience with animal training and public presentations a plus.

Responsibilities

Perform cleaning and maintenance of assigned habitats and make minor repairs when needed
Diet/meal preparation, feeding and restocking of feed supplies as needed and as prescribed
Daily observation of animal collection for injury, illness, aggression, stress, breeding activity, diet intake and fecal consistency
Daily cleaning of animal enclosures, service areas, holding units, and support areas utilizing various tools, instruments, disinfectants; and with the ability to do so safely
General maintenance of habitats, service/support areas and holding units such as: fence/enclosure repair, furniture, mister system, automatic drinkers, shade cloth, fill holes, etc. Complete monthly containment checks on enclosures.
Capture and restraint of animals for shipping/loading or routine/non-routine medical procedures; captures animals by hand-injection, hand, net, catch pole, or by corralling them under direction of Area Animal Care Curator or Director of Animal Care
As assigned, assist Veterinary Care Services with medical treatments such as prescribed medication/treatments, weighing/measuring, surgery, hand injections, restraint/capture of animals, prepare & administer any required medications &/or supplements, collect fecal, urine & other samples as requested by the veterinarian
Research the animal collection; research scientific journals, observe and recognize a variety of courtship behaviors; creates environments that induce breeding where appropriate and recommended design options
Monitor incubation process of eggs and/or hand rearing of neonates as necessary; keep appropriate records
Recognize signs of pest infestation in animal areas and combat pests as directed
Ability to enter accurately animal daily reports using in house computer ZIMS program
Participates with the daily behavioral husbandry, operant conditioning and enriching experiences of animal collection
Work with animal collection on a one-to-one basis to train behaviors for animal management and educational programming according to accepted training protocols
Maintain assigned areas and holding units to ensure animal, keeper, and guest safety, and are in good appearance paying attention to detail for guest viewing at all times
Excellent guests service and communication skills for effective & engaging public speaking; Gives knowledgeable and engaging tour/talks for guests, staff, and donors
Participate in guest education programs on or off-site, formal, and informal animal presentations and outreach programs, scheduled and impromptu keeper talks and provide accurate, effective and engaging presentations; Assist Animal Care Curator or Director of Animal Care with development of educational material
Assist other departments (i.e. Development/Marketing, Social Media, Special Events, and Education) in their duties by providing educational, animal programs or appearances for the media, promotional events, donors or on/off-site events, as assigned by Animal Care Management
Ability to work with potentially dangerous animals under the Two Key/Two Lock/Two Keeper and Lock Out Tag Out Engineering Control systems
Must be capable of emergency response handling to avoid injury to self, others, and animals
Ability to remain calm and professional in the event of an unpredictable situation and follow through until situation is over