Swing Keeper

The CALDWELL ZOO•Tyler, TX

12h•Onsite

About The Position

Swing Keepers will learn and work multiple routines across several teams. This position will be trained to work in all of the animal departments including the Giraffe feeding station, Birds, Reptiles, Mammals 1, Mammals 2, Education, and Commissary. Swing Keepers may be assigned to any area within the animal departments based on the need for coverage. This position may rotate through the various animal areas on an irregular schedule. This position requires a high degree of organization, flexibility within the workday, and excellent communication skills. This position will be required to foster learning through fun by engaging and entertaining visitors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree (BS) or equivalent from a four-year college or university in Biology or Animal Science related field preferred.
1 year experience and/or training, or Equivalent combination of education and experience
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and the ability to speak effectively to visitors or employees of the zoo.
Ability to solve common sense understanding to carry out instructions and/or effectively and safely apply animal and zoo operation knowledge to new changing situations.
Valid Texas Driver License

Responsibilities

Operating a Point of Sale (POS) System, handling money, making change, and handling card terminal.
Prepare lettuce boats before the zoo opens and transport them to the Giraffe feeding deck.
Sell lettuce boats to guests for Giraffe Feeding.
Make sure all visitors are abiding by the rules.
Cleans and disinfect animals’ enclosures and all equipment and tools associated with maintaining a safe and sanitary environment for the animals to live in on a daily basis.
Checks exhibits and animal enclosures cleanliness as well as safety and structural soundness on a daily basis. Takes appropriate steps to remedy existing or potential problems.
Identifies any potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to the supervisor.
Keeps records including behavioral observations, veterinary treatment logs, diet records, and animal transfer data.
Carries out veterinary treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian.
Understands and participates in behavioral enrichments activities, training, and conditioning procedures or protocols, and capture and restraint procedures.
Recognizes proper animal diets and abnormalities in diets and animal feeding habits.
Responds to questions from zoo visitors concerning animals’ habits and zoo operations in a helpful, friendly, courteous, and informative way and make efforts to make visitors experience a positive one.
Participates in veterinary procedures as requested and will participate in guest engagement through Keeper Talks, Zoo Camp or other scheduled events.
Performs any additional animal care duties or departmental responsibilities as directed by the supervisor.
Follows all safety policies and rules.