Facility
Orange County Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
OC ZOO:
The County of Orange, OC Zoo is located within OC Community Resources (OCCR)’s OC Parks Division. The OC Zoo is located inside Irvine Regional Park in the city of Orange. The Zoo’s focus is on animals and plants native to the southwestern United States. Animals on exhibit include black bears, mountain lions, a bald eagle, foxes, a red-tailed hawk, great horned owls, porcupines, coyotes, turkey vultures, and more. There is also a plethora of reptiles, including an exciting venomous reptilian population. The zoo also features a barnyard area with domestic goats, jacob sheep, rabbits, and a very dapper pot-bellied pig named Kevin Bacon.
OC Parks (OC Zoo) has a current vacancy for a Parks Animal Keeper. The Animal Keeper will work under general direction of the Zoo Director and Zoo Curator. This is a professional position, requiring experience and working knowledge of exotic animals and how to take care of them. The Parks Animal Keeper must complete daily tasks in a timely fashion with minimal supervision, keep detailed daily records, and be proficient in observing animals and their behaviors. The OC Zoo staff members are committed to providing a high quality operation of animal care and a pleasant visitor experience; and will perform the following duties:
•Observing and carrying out all basic aspects of the daily care of animals
•Reporting any observed health or behavioral abnormalities to Zoo Curator and Veterinarian
•Following all approved operation procedures listed in string duty assignments
•Maintaining behavioral enrichment programs for assigned animals
•Participating and developing programs focused on enhancing the guest experience
•Giving presentations to the general public and engage with park visitors by discussing animal natural history, natural habitats, status of animals in the wild, care and feeding of animals and other topics of interest
•Preparing accurate and detailed records and logs and maintaining monthly reports
•Cleaning, maintaining and conducting minor repairs to assigned animal habitats
•Inspecting, cleaning and maintaining public walks, paths, zoo grounds, plants and animal enclosures
•Maintaining manuals regarding duties/care of assigned animals
•Training employees and/or volunteers on proper care of animals, as well as, delegating tasks as needed
•Utilizing hand tools, rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, and minor power tools to fix, enhance, clean and maintain animal habitats and enclosures
•Assisting veterinarian during visits and administering medications, monitoring injuries and healing when needed
Education and Pre-requisites
The ideal candidate will possess at least five (5) years of experience working with animals, providing animal enrichment, record keeping, and maintaining best practices concerning animal husbandry in a zoological setting with at least three (3) of those years, specifically working at a public/private zoo, wildlife sanctuary, or animal breeding facility. A Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Natural Sciences, or a related field is highly desirable and may substitute some of the desired experience.
Compensation and benefits
Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County’s standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays–we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).
Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/member_active/county_intro.htm
Click below for Benefits Summary Information.
http://www.ocgov.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=50344
Application instructions
Please submit an application online via our website listed below.
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oc/jobs/1954100/parks-animal-keeper?keywords=Animal%20Keeper&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
If you have any questions or concerns about the application or recruitment process, please contact Cara Morin at 714-480-2821 or cara.morin@occr.ocgov.com.