Temporary Zookeeper

Zoo New England•Boston, MA

14d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for the daily care and continuous improvement of welfare of an assigned group of captive animals, while contributing to conservation, education, science, and customer service. This role involves preparing diets, cleaning exhibits, monitoring animal health and behavior, assisting with veterinary procedures, and contributing to research and guest experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or 2+ years of experience working as an animal care professional.
Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
If working regularly in primate areas: TB tested negative within the last 12 months before starting and tested every 3 years thereafter.
Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs.
Must have a valid driver's license in good standing and be able to drive a full-size vehicle on public roads.
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 speak and read English and possess written and oral communication skills to understand instructions and information of a technical nature.
Must have the ability and willingness to utilize computer skills including Microsoft Office products and digital record keeping tools (ZIMS).

Responsibilities

Prepares diets according to specifications, checks food for spoilage, and feeds animals according to procedures aligned with natural history.
Cleans exhibits and adjacent public areas to ensure sanitary and safe conditions by hosing, scrubbing, sweeping, raking, shoveling, and disinfecting.
Observes animals for unusual behaviors or appearance, signs of illness or injury, aggression, breeding, births, egg laying, hatching, deaths, and eating habits, and reports concerns to supervisor.
Records daily observations in the digital record system (ZIMS).
Continuously monitors, evaluates, and seeks to improve animal wellness by developing objectives, strategies, and tactics for enrichment.
Provides approved enrichment items and methods in accordance with zoo policy.
Cooperates with existing operant conditioning sessions to continuously assess and improve animal wellness through husbandry and health.
Promotes animal health by assisting with medical husbandry training, participating in wellness exams and other veterinary procedures, administering medication, and providing updates on animals under treatment.
Participates in integrated pest control management.
Assists in research projects designed to improve animal care.
Contributes to the safety of animals, team members, and guests by maintaining habitat security, shifting animals, following husbandry procedures, and checking for and reporting safety hazards.
Contributes to a positive guest experience through guest interactions, answering questions, conducting tours, animal experiences, and interviews.
Maintains exhibits, off-exhibit holding areas, public areas, and grounds, including monitoring heating systems, recording temperatures, and fabricating minor exhibit repairs.
Removes snow to provide access for staff and animals.
Identifies larger needs and submits requests for work orders.
Exhibits a positive attitude, shares skills and knowledge with co-workers, and contributes to departmental meetings and recommendations.
Promotes good communication with team members, supervisors, and other departments.
Participates in team, department, and facility trainings.