Part-Time Houston Toad Keeper

Fort Worth Zoo•Fort Worth, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The responsibility of this position is to maintain and care for animals within the Texas Native Amphibian Center as directed, primarily focusing on the Houston Toad program; to assist veterinary staff as needed; and to perform a variety of activities related to the assigned area of responsibility. As necessary and time allows similar tasks in other areas of the Ectotherms Department may be assigned. This is a part-time position working approximately 20 hours per week.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age or older
Must have one year of zoo keeping experience
Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain zoo standards of insurability
Understand and follow oral and written instructions
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Establish and maintain effective working relationships
High School diploma or equivalent
One year of increasingly responsible zoo keeping experience, compensation will be experience dependent

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, zoology, animal behavior, biology, ecology, psychology or related field preferred
Specialized training in zoology or a related field desirable but not required

Responsibilities

Provide necessary husbandry parameters and appropriate environments for species in assigned section
All animal enclosures should be kept clean (i.e., flushed if appropriate or substrate changed on regular basis, free of fecal/urate material, clean water bowl and props, uneaten food removed, etc.)
Animal enclosures should be cleaned and maintained as directed in the Houston Toad SOPs
Animal exhibit enclosures should be checked twice daily and serviced properly (i.e., clean glass, cover exposed water bowls or pots, remove dead plants, feces/urates, cobwebs, uneaten food)
All animal enclosures and locks are to be checked for security purposes daily and any problems relayed immediately to supervisor
Provide appropriate back-up coverage as relief keeper (use check sheet, record observations, accurate communication, clean and feed, etc.)
Water chemistries are to be conducted on a regular basis following all protocols
Feeder insects are to be properly cared for and fed out following related SOPs
All animals should be checked daily, and observations should be noted on cage card (if applicable) and TRACKS. Health Alerts should be submitted as needed and all major findings should be reported to a supervisor immediately
Maintain all animal records. Each animal enclosure must have an updated cage card (if applicable) and records in TRACKS
Abnormal feeding patterns should be noted on feed cards, TRACKS and reported to supervisor, as well as discussed at weekly staff meetings
Check out with supervisor before leaving at the end of the day and relay any pertinent information/updates verbally
Carry out animal diet directives from management. Discuss any diet, supplementation, or feeding change requests with supervisor
Weights are to be taken on all animals on a regular basis (i.e., birth or hatching, opportunistically when being handled, suspected weight loss, prior to shipment, etc.). All animals are to be weighed a minimum of twice per year, or as directed by management, and recorded in TRACKS
Animal training and enrichment directives assigned by management are to be implemented within instructed time frame and recorded in TRACKS
All venomous and dangerous animal protocols are to be strictly followed
Maintain safe and clutter-free work environment
Keep all work areas and building parameter clean and free of debris
Monitor building temperatures and equipment. Report malfunctions to supervisor
Conduct routine filter changes and backwashes according to SOPs, as scheduled, or needed
Act in a professional and courteous manner with coworkers and zoo visitors
Be respectful of coworkers, maintain a positive work environment and team atmosphere
Manage time appropriately to complete daily routine and work on extra projects
Live prey and food cultures are to be properly maintained and in adequate supply
Public and keeper work areas are to be kept organized and clean (i.e., floors swept and mopped daily, cobwebs removed, shelves, exhibits, light fixtures dusted, etc.)
UV light bulbs should be hung at an appropriate distance from animal (varies for bulb type). Bulbs should be marked with date upon installation. Bulbs should be replaced as needed (indicated by using UVB meter and range chart) and entered into TRACKS. UVB output should be monitored 48 hours after installation and every six months thereafter using the UV meter. All readings should be written on the light fixture
Animal equipment should be cleaned properly after use to prevent disease transmission and stored properly. Footbaths are to be used and maintained according to SOPs
When animal sections are redistributed, the current keeper is to: weigh animal, conduct visual inspection of animal with supervisor and new keeper, discuss current husbandry procedures and any pertinent behaviors or other relative information. All records are to be complete and updated prior to transfer
Fulfill other duties as assigned in Animal Programs Keeper Job Description