Senior Zoo Keeper

City of El Paso•Various Locations within the City of El Paso, TX

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Senior Zoo Keeper leads the work of zookeepers and participates in the care of zoo animals. The role oversees animal care, feeding, health monitoring, exhibit and enclosure maintenance, behavior modification and enrichment, and support for veterinary staff. It also assists zoo staff and the public and serves as a designated lead worker by guiding, scheduling, reviewing, and training employees.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED, or higher.
Two years of zookeeper experience.
Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License or an equivalent license from another state by the date of appointment.

Responsibilities

Oversee and provide care for zoo animals.
Prepare regular and special diets, and feed and water animals.
Clean, disinfect, and maintain cages, enclosures, and exhibit areas.
Maintain animal safety and monitor animal health and well-being; report illness or injury to appropriate staff.
Assist veterinary staff with medication administration, treatment, and animal restraint.
Provide animal care such as trimming beaks, nails, and wing feathers; providing moisture for turtles, reptiles, and birds; shearing sheep; and weighing animals.
Record animal information, including temperature and consumption, in charts.
Perform special projects and activities as assigned.
Assist with the design and implementation of behavior modification and enrichment programs.
Use rewards to condition animals to respond to commands, provide play items to relieve stress and boredom, and provide exercise as needed.
Identify maintenance problems and resolve or report them; prepare maintenance work orders.
Assist with grounds and landscaping maintenance and construction.
Test water quality in aquatic exhibits.
Answer questions from staff and the public about zoo animals, exhibits, and related topics.
Guide, monitor, and train less knowledgeable employees; schedule and assign work; review and check work; and guide others in work processes.
Recommend areas for employee skills improvement and provide input to employee performance evaluations.