Seasonal Bird Department Zookeeper

Detroit Zoological Society•Royal Oak, MI

11d

About The Position

Seasonal Bird Department Zookeeper General Description The Bird Department Zookeeper provides care, feeding, enrichment and training for Birds to ensure their well-being and contributes to outstanding guest experiences by ensuring that Bird exhibits are properly maintained.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in zoology or a closely related discipline and two years' experience in the care and management of birds.
OR: An associate degree in a related discipline and four years experiences in the care of captive wildlife, two of which include the care and management of birds.
Ability to work with animals and to remain calm in strenuous circumstances.
Excellent problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to follow instructions.
Excellent time management skills.

Responsibilities

Provide daily care, including but not limited to, feeding, enrichment, and operant conditioning training for birds.
Perform routine exhibit maintenance including mowing, trimming, and other routine maintenance activities.
Observe and document physical condition and behavior of animals.
Inspect facilities to ensure safety and security.
Capture and restrain animals as needed.
Clean animal enclosures and other exhibit areas.
Assist with artificial incubation and hand-rearing.
Monitor animal social conditions and situations.
Monitor feather-clipping schedules and make recommendations to supervisor when clipping is needed.
Develop and submit enrichment practices to Behavioral Husbandry Team.
Design, construct, and provide enrichment devices to animals.
Provide medical treatments as prescribed by the veterinarians.
Communicate needs for maintenance department work requests to supervisor.
Ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
Maintain records, inventories and other information and provide written and verbal reports as required.
Conduct educational presentations in both formal and informal settings.
Train new staff as required.
Train and supervise interns.
Perform other duties as required.