Facility
Denver Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
At Denver Zoo, our mission is to secure a better world for animals through human understanding. We are a respected leader in animal care and exhibition, conservation programs, scientific study, environmental education and public service.
Summary:
This position advances the mission of Denver Zoo by providing the safe exhibition, handling, feeding, husbandry, and training of elephants at the Zoo. Leads the elephant management program and takes on other responsibilities as outlined below.
Essential Functions:
• Ensure that the Zoo remains in compliance with the all AZA guidelines for the management and care of elephants.
• Performs all of the essential task of an elephant keeper with additional responsibilities outlined in this document.
• Provide innovative animal husbandry that is in compliance with AZA and USDA standards. Develop with staff an elephant program that is innovative, progressive and a model to other AZA institutions.
• Maintain a training program that is in line with the training philosophy of the Zoo and addresses mandatory behaviors for elephants maintained in AZA institutions.
• Provide reliable, competent animal care through:
o Preparation and feeding of approved diets.
o Monitoring of physical and behavioral aspects of the animals under assigned care.
o Implementation of the behavioral program of the animals under assigned care.
o Designing and maintaining proper animal enclosures/props/exhibits.
o Handling and restraining animals appropriately.
o Assisting with veterinary care and medical follow-up as needed.
o Utilizing preventative husbandry techniques and providing proactive health care as required.
o Provide proper care for eggs, neonates and young (may require care outside of normal working hours).
• Capture, handle, and move animals using accepted Denver Zoo practices to facilitate internal movement, external shipping, medical procedures, or normal routines.
• Enhance breeding possibilities through the recommendation and implementation of approved animal management techniques such as breeding efforts, behavioral enrichment, and operant conditioning/training, etc.
• Interact with Denver Zoo guests in both formal and informal settings, providing insight about the animals and their care.
• Provide area tours, keeper talks and work special events in area of responsibility as needed.
• Train fellow keepers, interns, and volunteers in standard section routines.
• Respond to zoo-wide animal related emergencies.
• Coordinate the efforts of contractors and maintenance staff when they are working in animal areas.
• Develops a program that ensures the well-being of the animals while maintaining excellence in exhibitry and guest engagement.
• Record data and prepare assigned reports/records, (i.e. daily reports, enclosure logs, facility logs, water quality logs, etc.) and other pertinent data on the collection and facilities as required.
• Use appropriate equipment to perform essential duties.
• Cooperate and coordinate with other departments, (e.g., education, maintenance, horticulture) and outside contractors.
• Maintain professional working relationships with zoo team members and maintain a professional appearance.
• Actively participate in conservation, research projects, and educational programs as requested.
• Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees and work groups.
• Follow Denver Zoo safety protocols.
• Complete all paperwork required by the AZA in relationship to the elephant program. These include but are not limited to the biannual safety assessment, annual program report, and incident reports.
• Maintain the Denver Zoological Foundation policies and procedures manual for the elephant program.
• Be the point person for research requests from Denver Zoo, AZA or outside investigators.
Additional Responsibilities:
• Performs various tasks as assigned.
Education and Pre-requisites
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree in an animal-related or animal behavior-related field plus two years of full-time zookeeping experience in the care, feeding, and handling of a variety of exotic animals (birds, fish, herpetology, or mammals, depending on the specific vacancy) in an AZA-accredited institution. Comparable facilities may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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• Associate Degree or equivalent number of college credit hours in an animal-related or animal behavior-related field plus four years of full-time zookeeping experience in the care, feeding, and handling of a variety of exotic animals (birds, fish, herpetology, or mammals, depending on the specific vacancy) in an AZA-accredited institution. Comparable facilities may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Intern experience within Denver Zoo’s animal department will qualify for the AZA-related years of full-time zookeeping provided at least an Associate degree in biological sciences is held. Intern experience at other institutions will not be considered.
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• Individuals without a degree may be considered only with ten or more years of full-time experience at the minimum level of zookeeper involved in the exhibition and husbandry of a variety of exotic animals at an AZA-accredited institution. Comparable facilities may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Five or more years of animal training experience.
• Ability, with proper training, to work in all aspects of animal care, husbandry and training within the department in which individual is assigned.
• Work on weekends and holidays are required.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Operate a variety of light and medium equipment.
Licensure and Certification:
Compensation and benefits
This is a regular full-time position with excellent benefits including complete medical/dental/vision coverage, 403(b) retirement plan and a generous vacation package.
Application instructions
Please apply through our website at www.denverzoo.org