Seasonal Zookeeper

Zoo New England•Boston, MA

About The Position

Seasonal Zookeepers are responsible for performing a variety of duties related to the care and welfare of the animals in the Tropical Forest and the African Hoofstock area . This includes cleaning exhibits and holding spaces, prepar ing and feeding diets, providing and evaluating enrichment, direct ly observ ing animals, and maintaining records. Th ese position s are May to October (6 months or under) , require a work schedule of 7am-3:30pm or 10:30am – 7pm with 2 days off during the week. You must be able to regularly work weekends and holidays, as well as overtime when needed. WHO WE ARE Zoo New England's mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun and engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education . Zoo New England manages and operates both Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and attracts over 1 million guests. We are in an exciting growth phase , with many new projects, exhibits and events. Y o u’ll be part of the Animal Care Team –the larges t department in the zoo , responsible for the well - being of thousands of animals , of hundreds of species - many of which are endangered in the wild. Zoo New England hosts a diversity of passionate people and is a place where you ca n make a difference, to care for animals and to secure a future for wildlife. WHO YOU ARE Attention to detail : Provide exceptional care by ensuring all of the animals’ needs are met and observing closely for signs of illness or injury . Friendly and Welcoming : Provide g reat customer service to internal and external guests , answering questions , performing public talks and participating in behind-the-scenes tours in a courteous and positive way . Excellent communicator: Communicate clearly and thoroughly to supervisors and coworkers. Maintain tho ro ugh records . Excellent time management : B e punctual and manage your time to stay within schedule, complet ing tasks and duties in a timely manner . W ork independently after being trained . Reliable and Thorough: Maintain your assigned area to a high standard , exceed ing USDA and AZA standards. Provide enrichment according to the area guidelines and best practices .

Requirements

High School diploma or GED.
TB tested negative within the last 12 months before starting and fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, k nowledge or ability to use Microsoft Office products and use of 2-way radios .
M ust be at least 18 years old , have a valid driver's license with a safe driving history .
Must be physically able to work on their feet for long periods and lift over 5 0lbs .
Must have the ability to work for extended periods in harsh climatic conditions.
Must be able to function independently and as a member of a team.
Must be able to work weekends, holidays and overtime.
Must have zoo or exotic animal experience .
Bachelor’s degree or 2+ years of experience working as an animal care professional .
Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 .
TB tested negative within the last 12 months before starting if working regularly in primate areas and tested every 3 years thereafter .
Good work history .
Must speak and read English and possess written and oral communication skills to understand instructions and information of a technical nature .
Must have a valid drivers' license in good standing and be able to drive a full-size vehicle on public roads .
If qualified, may be asked to train volunteers and others in safely working with zoo animals .
Must have the ability and willingness to enhance the knowledge and skills needed to provide professional animal care .
Must have the ability and willingness to function independently and as a member of a team .
Must have the ability to work for extended periods in harsh climatic conditions .
Must have the ability to work safely around dangerous animals, chemicals, and around animals with contagious diseases .
Must have no allergies, diseases, or conditions that would prevent working in any area of the Zoos .
Must be capable of basic math .
Must be able to withstand physical hardships associated with duties, i.e. animal restraint .
Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.
Ability to use hand and small power tools .
Must be able and willing to work weekends, holidays, and overtime .

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Biology , Zoology or related field preferred.
Preference will be given to paid experience in AZA institutions.

Responsibilities

Works s afely around animals of a variety of taxa , following standard operation procedures, institutional and departmental policies and in compliance with USDA and AZA guidelines .
Provide fresh food and water daily to animals in a species-specific manner and monitor consumption .
Clean and maintain exhibits, holding and public spaces and keeper work areas to a high standard .
Provide supplements, medication and goal-based enrichment as .
I nteract with guests in a frien dly manner. Participate in keeper chats and public presentations .
Observe and report signs of health and individual/species behavior and record on ZIMS once trained.
Helps maintain charts, census forms, calendars, reports , logs as needed.
Maintains secure enclosures at all times by using latches and locks, and checking those to ensure animals cannot escape or people enter .
Participates in the care and feeding of the animal collection, which may include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates .
Participates in procedures designed to meet the nutritional needs of animals . This includes preparing diets according to specifications, checking foodstuffs for spoilage, feeding animals according to procedures, recording food intake and making notes on changes, making recommendations for diet changes based on food intake, behavior, and general appearance.
Cleans exhibits and adjacent public areas to insure sanitary and safe conditions by hosing, scrubbing, sweeping, raking, shoveling, and disinfecting to remove manure, unconsumed food, litter, poisonous plants, and foreign objects .
Trains other staff, and shifts animals in adjacent stalls , pens, or dens for feeding or cleaning purposes .
Observes animals for unusual behaviors or appearance, signs of illness or injury, aggression, breeding, births, egg laying, hatching, deaths, and eating habits . Maintains daily records of this information and reports problems to his/her supervisor.
When applicable , assists in the artificial incubation of eggs and handraising of young by maintaining equipment and applying appropriate techniques to insure viability, health, and survival of eggs and hatchlings .
Continuously monitors , evaluates , and seeks to improve animal wellness . Develops objectives , strategies and tactics to satisfy and enrich the animals . Provides approved items and methods in accordance with zoo policy. May serve on the enrichment committee to represent their area.
Conducts approved, and cooperates with existing, operant conditioning sessions to continuously assess and improve animal wellness through husbandry and health of the animals.
By assignment of Assistant Curator, attends veterinarian on rounds through assigned area. Assists Curators, zoo veterinarians and veterinary staff in capture and restraint of zoo specimens for medical procedures or animal transfers using appropriate techniques and equipment.
Medicates animals according to the veterinarian's instructions to ensure adequate health maintenance of the collection including measuring out medication or putting medication in the food or water . Notes levels of medication and informs supervisor of refill needs.
Acclimates animals to exhibits , stalls, chutes, crates, halters or perches for use in medical procedures, transfers, or educational demonstrations .
Participates in transfer of animals by capturing, restraining, crating, and transporting .
Adheres to ZNE Sustainability Policy and incorporates sustainability efforts into daily routines. Supports and promotes ZNE conservation initiatives.
Maintains exhibits, public areas, off-exhibit holding areas and grounds . Monitors heating systems, records temperatures; records operation of equipment, makes minor repairs, uses power tools once trained, uses landscape equipment and machinery once trained, fabricates minor exhibits and enhancements to provide attractive, safe and comfortable exhibits for zoo specimens and public areas for zoo guests. Removes snow to provide access for staff and animals .
Interacts with and answers questions of zoo guests by providing information about zoo animals and policies, conducts tours and interviews as needed to meet the education and guest relations needs of the zoo . Monitors working laborers and contractors for animal safety and watches animals for signs of stress . Checks exhibits upon completion of work for safety hazards
Trains and oversees new employees and volunteers assigned to exhibit areas and/or research projects. Allowed to mentor interns.
Attends safety training as required . Encouraged to attend keeper training and other professional development programs when offered, with supervisor's approval . Participates in formal and informal programs to educate the public .
As assigned by his/her supervisor, conducts and assists in research projects designed to improve animal care. Participates in integrated pest control management as directed by the Pest Control Manager . May include setting and clearing traps, reporting problem areas, and problem solving for exclusion.
Carries a two-way radio as assigned and handles it responsibly. Assists in department record-keeping by maintaining and submitting daily keeper reports, individual care charts, census forms, enrichment calendars, ASRs/event reports, training logs to ensure consistent, and professional communications regarding all aspects of the collection's maintenance . Uses this information to compile reports as needed.
May be assigned to work in any area of either zoo. Performs related work as and/or assigned. Inventories and submits requests for zoo equipment, supplies (including uniforms), feeds, and repair and maintenance materials, to his/her supervisor as needed . Ensures that supplies are properly rotated, labeled and stored.
Participates in departmental meetings and makes recommendations regarding husbandry, exhibition, and development of standards and procedures. Responsible for informing coworkers and supervisors of operational and/or procedural changes in order to maintain good communication . Shares skills, knowledge and exhibit positive attitude, affect, attitude, articulation and affability, which will serve to enhance the performance of co-workers.
Identifies and submits requests for work orders to his/her supervisor as needed. Annually submit ideas for evaluation goals, as well as complete set goals in a timely manner . May mentor and assist in review of work performance and attendance of interns. Completes, at minimum, 4 weeks rotation in each of the 5 Animal Care areas