Zookeeper II

Chehaw Park & Zoo is looking for a motivated professional to join our animal husbandry team. We are committed to ensuring high standards of animal care and positive guest experience. The ideal candidate will have a solid working knowledge of zoo and aquarium safety and animal husbandry best practices.

This role requires a dedicated person who can maintain aesthetically pleasing terrestrial habitats that promote positive animal welfare for a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Team work will be essential to complete large projects and effectively care for the collection as a whole.

BASIC JOB DUTIES

• Attend to assigned animals; prepare diets, feed, and provide water; sanitize enclosure furniture/floors and food/water dishes as scheduled or necessary; perform approved enrichment and training activities; assist in the capture and restraint of animals
• Inspect animals for health problems; collect fecal samples for testing; condition/train animals for veterinary procedures; assist veterinarians with medical exams and procedures, including surgery and necropsy; administer medications to animals
• Record relevant information in facility’s recordkeeping database, including animal observations, health concerns and treatments, acquisitions/births, dispositions/deaths, etc.; objectively complete animal welfare assessments, as assigned
• Perform routine repairs and maintenance on exhibits/enclosures as needed; construct improvements, furnishings, and decorations for exhibits; may replace substrate, control weeds, and collect browse
• Assist in planning and conducting educational and interactive guest programs; engage the public to encourage curiosity and facilitate a positive experience
• Support institution’s Vision, Mission, and Value statements; maintain a positive example in meeting the needs of fellow staff, volunteers, and guests

EDUCATION AND PRE-REQUISITES

• Maintain possession of a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation to/from work
• Associate degree or equivalent experience required
• 2+ years of previous experience and/or training involving animal care, wildlife biology, or related field
• Significant knowledge about exotic animal husbandry and captive management; ability to build upon this knowledge and to adapt as necessary to animal collection changes
• Proficiency in basic computer applications
• Must be able to lift 60 pounds and work outdoors in all weather conditions on a daily basis; must be able to tolerate strong odors, dust, hay, dander, and dampness; may be required to stand or sit for extended periods of time and/or to twist, bend, crouch, squat, climb, crawl, kneel, jump, swim, or carry objects for short distances; may be exposed to chemicals, fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts, vehicles, and potentially dangerous animals
• Willingness to participate in staff vaccination program to prevent zoonotic disease transfer, scheduled as recommended by CDC; may include tetanus, TB skin test, rabies, Hepatitis A & B, Influenza, or other as recommended by CDC and/or professional standards
• Maintain ability to pass drug and alcohol tests with acceptable results

* All job offers are contingent upon acceptable background investigation and drug test results

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Full-time (40-hours per week), hourly
• Benefits include paid-time-off; sick time; vision, dental, and health insurance; retirement plan
• Participation in staff vaccination program
• Relocation package available to eligible new hires

The Albany Metropolitan area includes welcoming cities such as Leesburg, Putney, Sylvester, and Sasser. These cities boast cost-of-living numbers much lower than the national average and are all within easy commute of Chehaw Park & Zoo.

Leesburg: 13% lower COL, 18 minute commute
Putney: 28% lower COL, 15 minute commute
Sylvester: 26% lower COL, 28 minute commute
Sasser: 24% lower COL, 22 minute commute