Facility

Ellen Trout Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Welcome to Ellen Trout Zoo! We are a small but growing and innovative facility located near the major metropolitan areas of East Texas. Our institution emphasizes a excellence in veterinary care, conservation programs, animal welfare and community involvement.

As part of the Herpetology team you will have the chance to work with a large variety of species. The Komodo Dragon, large American Alligators, and Galapagos Tortoises are a few that call the Herp section home. Snake species include a large variety of venomous including Naja, Crotalus, Bothrops, Agkistrodon, and Trimeresurus. There are also non-venomous snakes, lizards, turtles/tortoises, invertebrates, amphibians, as well as some birds and mammals.

The right candidate for this position should have a strong work ethic and be team oriented with the ability to follow established zoo protocols in providing outstanding animal care. As a representative for the zoo and a city employee they must maintain a professional presence and positive attitude at all times. This position supports the area supervisor and fills in during the supervisor’s absence.

Education and Pre-requisites

The right candidate for this position should have a strong work ethic and be team oriented with the ability to follow established zoo protocols in providing outstanding animal care. As a representative for the zoo and a city employee they must maintain a professional presence and positive attitude at all times. This position supports the area supervisor and fills in during the supervisor’s absence.

Functions and qualities:

– Responsible for the daily observation of animal health and welfare.
– Preparation of animal diets, feeding and watering according to an established schedule. Clean, disinfect and sanitize water and food dishes.
– Clean and disinfect animal enclosures, holding areas, and exhibit features; drain and clean pools; collect and dispose of refuse.
– Maintain on and off exhibit aesthetics (planters, yards, perches, other exhibit “furniture”, etc.). Maintain live exhibit plantings to enhance exhibit aesthetics for visitors and provide a comfortable habitat for animals.
– Maintain clean and organized animal enclosures, equipment, and keeper areas.
– Maintain water quality through filtration, appropriate chemicals, and sanitation methods for aquatic and semi-aquatic animals.
– Physical aspects of the job include: lifting logs, rocks, hay bales, and feed bags.
– Perform minor repairs and improvements to enclosures.
– Maintain and inspect area of responsibility to meet AZA and USDA standards.
– Good written and oral communication skills.
– Report births, deaths, injuries and/or abnormal behavior of animals to supervisor.
– Assist with husbandry and veterinary procedures.
– Maintain daily reports, logs, veterinary records, and other records as assigned.
– Carry out duties and tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Animal Science, Zoology or related field; or a combination of education and professional experience to provide the desired level of proficiency.

Compensation and benefits

This is a full-time position with excellent benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development. The position involves working on weekends and holidays. Employees are required to contribute 7% (pre-tax) to the retirement fund. Candidates should have experience with professional herpetofauna husbandry.

If you are excited about working with a diverse collection or herping in the East Texas Forests but are not sure you have the necessary experience, apply and show us your interest and your background; we’ll see if we have a fit for you.

Starting salary is $30,766.58 /year.

Application instructions

To be considered, you must submit resume, cover letter, and completed application. Applications are available for download at http://cityoflufkin.com/hr/jobs.htm.

Mail these three documents to: Human Resources Department at Lufkin City Hall, 300 E. Shepherd Suite 226, Lufkin, TX 75901. Or fax to 936-633-0408.

Candidates must be able to be present for onsite interviews.