Encounters Keeper- Part Time
About The Position
Encounters Keeper- Part Time Flamingos, Psittacine, Budgies, OH MY! From conducting informal presentations and behind the scenes tours with guests, to performing the daily husbandry tasks for our many species of birds, our part-time Encounters Keeper is always busy! The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking energetic individuals with exceptional public speaking skills to join our Encounters flock! The ideal candidate is committed to advancing the Zoo's mission to protect nature and inspire people to care for our world. Having a professional attitude and appearance to visitors, volunteers, and co-workers is vital to the position as well as being a team-oriented individual that is temperamentally suited to work with the public and a variety of bird species. Prior experience working with soft bill, psittacine, and/ or flamingo is highly desired. Prior experience with positive reinforcement and operant conditioning is a plus. This part-time (29 hours per week or less) position will work year-round. Weekends, holidays, overtime and/ or varied shift work is required.
Requirements
- Minimum of one (1) year of animal care experience preferably with birds
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures
- Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs
- Exceptional visual acuity is required, along with the ability to communicate, comprehend, and decipher information accurately, using a two-way radio
- Must possess exceptional public speaking skills
- High school diploma or equivalent is required
- Possible occupational exposure (Category B employee) to human bloodborne pathogens
- Possible exposure to dangerous chemicals (e.g. chlorine bleach, cleaning agents, etc.)
- Must follow Universal Protection Precautions and Bloodborne Pathogens Guidelines
Nice To Haves
- Prior experience working with soft bill, psittacine, and/ or flamingo is highly desired
- Prior experience with positive reinforcement and operant conditioning is a plus
- Bachelor's degree in a Life Science area from an accredited college/university in life sciences is highly desired
- Prior work experience involving animal care is strongly preferred
- College course work in a suitable animal-related field may be substituted for work experience
- Bachelor's degree in a Life Science area from an accredited college/university in life sciences is strongly preferred
Responsibilities
- Conducting informal presentations and behind the scenes tours with guests
- Performing the daily husbandry tasks for our many species of birds
- Comfortability conducting informal presentations, chats, and feeds to the public throughout the day
- Interpretation responsibilities with mixed species aviaries and/ or the flamingo yard
- Perform daily husbandry tasks and manual work involving the care and maintenance of the animals and exhibits under this position's care
- Provide outstanding customer service to our guests
- Directly responsible for health and well-being of the collections assigned to this position's care
- Follow all safety Policies and Procedures of the Indianapolis Zoo
- Learn and implement species quarantine procedures as directed by Assistant Curator
Benefits
- Salary requirements to be considered
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
