Facility
Buffalo Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Full time, Non-Exempt Hourly CSEA Position
Basic Purpose and Responsibility:
Under the supervision of the General Curator and/or Assistant Curator, the Keeper I is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations associated with the husbandry of the animals and the maintenance of animal exhibits.
Essential Functions:
• Primary accountability for specific functions and results. The list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented or changed as necessary.
• Prepares and provides diet and feeding regime to designated animals as specified by the supervisor-in-charge.
• Assists in the cleaning and shifting of animals to perform exhibit maintenance duties and modify exhibits to meet seasonal requirements.
• Assists veterinary staff with any prescribed treatment routines or medication administration.
• Records and reports any abnormal animal health or behavioral condition to the supervisor.
• Assists with departmental research projects as directed by the Curator and provides support to other Zoo projects as needed.
• Identifies any potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to the supervisor.
• Cooperates in answering questions presented by the public, other zoo employees, volunteers and interns to promote quality guest service.
• Assumes the duties of Keeper II and Keeper III on an as needed basis.
• Oversees work activities and provides training for interns or seasonal workers assigned to that area.
• Performs any additional animal care duties or departmental responsibilities as directed by the supervisor.
Examples of Commissary Area day-to-day tasks/responsibilities –
• Maintain and update a diet notebook with all the diets for all the Zoo’s animals.
• Prepare diets daily for Zoo’s animal collection (follow written and oral instructions concerning type and quantity of foods to be prepared and size of portions; obtaining necessary ingredients from the storage areas/coolers/freezers, and washing, cleaning, peeling, cutting, chopping, grinding, dicing and/or slicing foods as required; accurately measure and weigh portions and package foods in accordance with instructions).
• Prepare food enrichment (e.g. frozen icicles) as scheduled and instructed. Work with keepers on preparing other kinds of enrichment as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and sanitation of dishes, work areas, kitchens, all surfaces and equipment.
• Organize and inventory grain and feed rooms, hay storage areas, coolers, and freezers as necessary.
• Pack and delivers diets and supplies (e.g. hay and grain) throughout Zoo as per instructions.
• Will assist in receiving deliveries (e.g. produce, meat, fish, grain, hay, wood shavings, and other supplies) and checking against packing slips.
• Inventory and assist in ordering commissary supplies.
• Interact with and educate the public, VIPs, and/or media about animal nutrition and department animals/operations through tours, keeper chats and other special events as assigned.
• Considerable interpersonal skills and positive customer service attitude will be expected since this position works with all animal departments and personnel and regularly interacts with outside vendors.
• May be cross-trained in some animal husbandry areas to help cover keeper routines during times where teams may be short staffed due to absence, pandemics, etc.
The Buffalo Zoo is an At Will employer and all Buffalo Zoo employees are subject to employment eligibility and background security checks as well as testing for illegal substance use as allowed by law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Education and Pre-requisites
Position Qualifications:
To perform at a proficient level and be fully qualified, a person would be expected to have:
Education (Minimum Needed):
• Two-year degree in one of the natural sciences or other discipline – four-year degree preferred. Degrees in other fields may be substituted by additional relevant experience.
Experience (Minimum Needed):
• Experience with a diversified exotic animal collection gained through internships, volunteer experience or employment. Extensive domestic animal experience may be a qualifying substitute.
Special Skills:
• Experience with physical restraint equipment, vehicles and related maintenance equipment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in use of all cleaning and husbandry equipment and supplies.
Other:
• Must possess or be able to obtain within 30-days of employment a valid New York State driver’s license and have an average or better driving record based on the evaluation process of our insurance company. Retention of position is contingent upon maintaining required license. Must upgrade to classification appropriate to requirements (non-CDLC or CDL class).
• Must be able to work weekends and holidays as necessary.
• TB Test conducted annually.
Physical Demands
• A fitness for duty test will be required in order for the successful candidate to be given further consideration for the position.
Compensation and benefits
Full-Time benefits available include health plan, life insurance, long term disability insurance, dental, vision, 403B retirement plan, annual leave time, holiday time, and sick time. Benefits are available after the successful completion of an introductory probation period of 60 days of work. Hourly rate $16.18 during probation; $17.14 after probation; $19.04 after 1 year.
Application instructions
How to Apply –
This is a full-time, non-exempt hourly CSEA union position. If interested, please submit resume and cover letter to: zooapplications@buffalozoo.org by April 19, 2021. Use subject line: Buffalo Zoo Animal Keeper I Commissary. Attachments are to be formatted: Last name first name Cover Letter.Doc or PDF, and Last name first name Resume.Doc or PDF.