Animal Care Professional, Primates/South America

BIRMINGHAM ZOO INC•Birmingham, AL

3d•$17•Onsite

About The Position

The Birmingham Zoo is currently seeking applications for an Animal Care Professional in the Primate/South America Department. Under the direction of the Zoological Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing a high level of animal care to a diverse collection of taxa. Primary responsibilities of this position include monitoring animal health, maintaining cleanliness of animal areas, providing environmental and behavioral enrichment, preparing diets, modifying habitats, maintaining accurate records, and presenting both formally and informally for the public. The candidate must be a motivated self-starter with a willingness to learn and drive to continuously improve. This position requires a team player capable of positive interactions with staff, guests, and volunteers. This is a full-time position working at least 40 hours per week, including weekends, holidays, and late events as needed. Successful candidates will work in close proximity to dangerous animals; professionalism and good communication are required.

Requirements

High School degree, or some college; bachelor’s degree in an animal related field preferred.
Previous experience or internship in a zoological institution.
Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills; have high energy and enthusiasm for completion of tasks; possess team building skills; and has the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Must have ability to foster teamwork within and across teams.
Competency in computer skills.
Must have a current valid driver’s license with no prior traffic violations (within the last three years).
Must be First aid/CPR certified or be willing to be certified.
Must have current negative TB test and provide documentation or be willing to have a TB test.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates understanding of the basic biology, behaviors, and husbandry of the animals in their department in the daily routine.
Cleans and maintains animal spaces, including the use of chemical agents and special tools to assure the health and safety of the animals.
Uses designated techniques for shifting animals on their assigned routine.
Identifies, recognizes and reports any abnormal behavior of all the animals in their department.
Monitors weather related needs for the animals in their department and shelters animals appropriately.
Identifies, documents, and properly communicates any animal medical concerns to the Zoological Manager in a timely manner.
Develops a good line of communication with the Zoological Manager to ensure that all facilities and animals are in good order and that all problems are reported.
Implements techniques from both classical and operant conditioning under the supervision of the Zoological Manager
Utilizes the zoo’s enrichment program to properly meet the enrichment requirements of the animals within their department.
Properly records the results of enrichment.
Creates new enrichment ideas and items to be added to their department repertoire.
Properly utilizes the animal record keeping systems within the department.
Maintains and updates the departments’ animal files.
Prepares and presents public keeper chats to guests, scheduled groups, and/or the media.
Other duties as assigned.