Facility
Lindsay Wildlife Experience
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Lindsay Wildlife Experience seeks self-motivated, flexible and responsible individuals capable of supporting the daily operations of the Animal Encounters (AE) Department. Currently, one full time position, either Animal Keeper II or Lead Animal Keeper III, needs to be filled. The AE staff are expected to work with a wide variety of animals, including birds of prey, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. The AE staff help support Lindsay’s interpretive program, participating in daily public programming and working alongside the Education Department to provide a high-quality guest experience.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Work with Curator, veterinary staff, animal keeper staff, animal husbandry volunteers and interns to ensure the highest standards of animal care.
Ensure compliance with USDA and Fish & Wildlife regulations.
Participate in daily husbandry, including handling, enrichment, training using operant conditioning and digital record keeping.
Participation in public programming using live animals; including daily exhibit hall programming and events on and off-site.
Facility maintenance (cleaning, equipment upkeep, organizational projects, maintaining naturalistic exhibits).
Accurate observation, evaluation and documentation of animal behaviors.
Maintain excellent written and verbal communication with co-workers, manager, director, and veterinary staff.
Work in coordination with the other departments to represent Lindsay and its mission in a professional manner and with high quality customer service.
Eligible to work with venomous reptiles.
Assigned as a primary animal keeper for a group of animal ambassadors based on experience.
Participate in animal welfare assessments.
Training of volunteers and interns on daily departmental tasks
Acting as a keeper mentor for interns participating in our Animal Keeper internship program
May include direct supervision of Animal Husbandry Volunteers and Animal Care Interns, including recruitment of new volunteers and interns and managing the support of current volunteers.
Scheduling daily husbandry assignments for both staff and volunteers.
Assist with managing departmental supplies and major projects.
Serve on internal committees.
Lead Animal Keeper III – In addition to the above, duties and responsibilities may also include:
Prepare, organize and participate in animal shipments.
Mentor Apprentice Animal Keepers, Keepers I and II in their professional development. This includes topics such as: exhibit enhancement, USDA, behavioral husbandry and training, animal welfare, etc.
Ability to discuss and approve operant conditioning plans with other Animal Keepers for ambassadors within the collection.
Ability to be point of contact in the absence of the Curator of Animal Encounters.
Ability to take initiative and address issues as they arise.
Education and Pre-requisites
QUALIFICATIONS:
GED or High School Diploma is required.
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Have a valid driver’s license.
A minimum of 2 years of full-time equivalent paid experience in animal care is required and/or combination of education and experience in an applied zoo keeping-focused program.
Have a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in zoology, biology, or a related field required.
Have excellent communication skills with staff, volunteers, and the ability to speak to diverse audiences
Experience with public speaking as it relates to informal environmental education is preferred.
Must be able to work independently and as part of a team of both staff and volunteers.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel and Google Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive, etc.)
Must be willing to work some holidays and weekends.
Must be able to sustain prolonged bending, kneeling, standing, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
Have experience training wild/exotic animals using operant conditioning.
Ability to manage multiple and complex responsibilities at the same time.
Have volunteer managerial experience (preferred). Does not have to be in a zoological setting.
Experience in researching, writing, and presenting ecological, biological, and environmental conservation topics to an audience of diverse ages.
Lead Animal Keeper III – In addition to completing above requirements, the candidates must:
Have a minimum of 3 years of full-time paid experience in animal care is required and/or combination education and experience in an applied zoo keeping-focused program.
Experience handling rabies vectors and venomous reptiles preferred, pre-exposure rabies vaccination or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire preferred.
Have at least 2 years of experience handling birds of prey including but not limited to: owls, hawks, falcons, golden and bald eagles.
Have exceptional interpretive skills.
Have demonstrated a high level of problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Possess the characteristics of an Animal Care professional demonstrating competence, professionalism, teamwork, mutual respect and commitment to the mission of the organization.
Have knowledge in the natural history and captive management of wild animals.
Have demonstrated the ability to work safely in a variety of areas with minimal training.
Compensation and benefits
HOURS, BENEFITS & COMPENSATION:
Lindsay offers a competitive benefits package including paid sick time, vacation, holidays and 401K eligibility.
Flexibility to work some evenings, early mornings, and special events as needed.
Non-exempt full-time position, 40-hours a week, hourly position.
$18.00 – $19.00/hour. Pay is commensurate with experience.
Application instructions
TO APPLY:
To apply for this opportunity, send cover letter, resume, and three references to: jobs@lindsaywildlife.org
Put “Animal Keeper” in the subject line.
No phone calls, please.
Submit all materials in PDF format with your first initial and last name in the document name. Example: JSmith_Resume.pdf
Automatic applications from websites, such as Indeed, will not be considered.
References will not be checked without permission.
Applications are open until position filled, with priority to applicants submitted on or before July 15, 2022