Seasonal Animal Keeper - Invertebrates

Oregon Metro•Oregon Zoo, OR

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Metro’s Oregon Zoo is seeking a Seasonal Animal Keeper to join its Invertebrate Team. The position provides care and husbandry for invertebrates at the Insect Zoo, including stick bugs, cockroaches, and tarantulas. Work includes caring for larvae, monitoring populations, maintaining animal environments, and supporting educational programming. The keeper may also support field efforts for the Mazama Newt and Oregon Silverspot Butterfly conservation projects. The anticipated seasonal schedule is March 2027 through October 2027, Friday through Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LiUNA 483. The full salary range is $31.78 to $42.60 per hour; the likely appointment range is $31.78 to $37.18 per hour, subject to qualifications and Metro’s pay equity review. The role requires careful observation and documentation of animal health and behavior, species-specific feeding and husbandry, administering prescribed medications, maintaining safe and clean environments, and communicating with colleagues, supervisors, other zoo departments, and guests. The keeper may assist with animal handling for transfers or treatment and may develop or present educational materials and public talks. Work must comply with animal-care, safety, and regulatory standards, including USDA, AZA, and OSHA requirements. Metro emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion and aims to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community. The Oregon Zoo is part of Metro and welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors annually.

Requirements

Valid driver’s license.
A bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or a related subject relevant to zoo animal care, and three years of professional animal-keeper-related experience; alternatively, a combination of education, professional, volunteer, and lived experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties.
Knowledge of invertebrate biology and care as it relates to captive husbandry.
Direct experience caring for invertebrates in a laboratory or zoo setting.
Attention to detail in following animal-care and laboratory protocols, tracking data, and maintaining suitable conditions for sensitive species.
Clear and effective verbal and written communication and the ability to collaborate with peers.
Commitment to animal wellbeing and ethical practices.
Intellectual curiosity, including willingness to ask questions, seek information, learn, and improve care practices.
Dedication to high standards of care and compliance with USDA, AZA, and OSHA rules, regulations, and guidelines.
Passion for invertebrate care.
Ability to contribute to a positive team atmosphere and work independently.
Ability to meet physical demands that may include prolonged sitting and standing, frequent reaching, walking, lifting, stooping, or carrying equipment and materials, and lifting up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Background in invertebrate husbandry and population management in a zoo or laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

Observe animals for normal and abnormal behavior, reproductive behavior, eating habits, health concerns, injuries, and responses to diet changes or medication; report concerns to a supervisor and participate in corrective actions.
Clean and disinfect animal tanks, bins, and food and water receptacles, and maintain keeper areas such as offices and kitchens.
Inspect animal environments, perimeters, and locking systems for security and safety for animals and people.
Follow safety procedures, develop safe work habits, and contribute to the safety of coworkers.
Feed animals according to species-specific needs, report food consumption, and recommend diet modifications as needed.
Administer medications prescribed by veterinarians and report treatment responses to the veterinarian and supervisor.
Suggest and provide appropriate enrichment based on species biology and individual animal needs, and observe and document its effectiveness as appropriate.
Maintain concise, objective records concerning diet, health, behavior, births, deaths, transfers, social dynamics, wellbeing, and other relevant care topics.
Perform or assist with husbandry tasks and communicate regularly with the supervisor about husbandry.
Assist with capture, restraint, or segregation of animals for transfer or medical treatment as needed.
Help develop educational materials, present them to the public, conduct assigned talks and tours, and serve as an information resource to the public and other departments.
Stay current on care standards for designated species, including feeding, introductions, breeding and rearing, social management, training, and enrichment.
Operate and maintain tools and equipment needed for safe work, including PPE, video monitors, lockout/tagout systems, signage, fire extinguishers, ladders, and microscopes.
Maintain animal-care standards and comply with USDA and AZA rules and guidelines, OSHA standards, safety rules, work rules, and zoo and area policies and procedures.
Coordinate daily work and communicate effectively with colleagues, supervisors, gardeners, custodians, security, maintenance, other zoo departments, and guests.
Perform other duties as assigned.