Facility
Natural Bridge Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Natural Bridge Zoological Park currently has an immediate openings for an experienced or entry level animal keeper. Full time positions and Internships available. Dedicated individuals will participate in the care of a variety of hoof-stock, primates, small mammals, birds etc.
Successful Candidate will be responsible for;
1. Monitoring and documenting Daily Animal Health.
2. Preparation of diets including processing of meat, fruits/veggies and daily administration of supplements.
3. Maintaining cleanliness of animal habitats and food areas.
4. Build relationships with the animals and participate with operant conditioning training and behavioral enrichment.
5. Participate with husbandry practices for voluntary captive health care.
6. Educational Talks with the visiting public and school groups.
7. Participate with modifying exhibits and participation with building of new exhibits.
8. Participate with maintenance of grounds in and around exhibits.
Small animal positions will work primarily with species: Muntjac, Amazon Parrots, African Crested Porcupines (adults and hand fed babies), Black Swans, Pygmy Goats (adults and hand fed babies), Ring tail Lemurs, Black White Ruffed Lemur, Brown Capuchins, Black White Capuchins, Debrazza Monkeys, Aldabra Tortoises, Macaws, Livestock guardian dogs, Fantail Pigeons, Layer Hens, Cranes, Parakeets, Eurasian Owls, Silkie Chickens, Llama babies etc.
Cross Trained positions will work with the above species as well as : Grants Zebras, Poitou donkeys, Minature donkeys, Llamas, Variety of Antelope, Drom Camels, Giraffe etc.
Education and Pre-requisites
Must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate an interest in animal care and public education. Previous exotic animal care experience is a plus but farm animal experience is also beneficial. Hoof-stock (antelope, zebra, giraffe) experience is a plus. We can train individuals that are passionate and willing to learn.
Must be comfortable with all the physical challenges that come along with the position, including but not limited to: walking/standing for extended periods of time, lifting/carrying bags of animal feed (up to 50 lbs), carrying water buckets, climbing stairs and ladders, kneeling, scrubbing, raking, etc. Animal keepers work in all conditions and must be willing to adapt.
Must be able to follow both written and verbal instructions and effectively communicate with staff and other interns. Keepers need to be able to work independently as well as with other keepers. Extrovert or Introvert, we require a friendly face for our guests visiting the park. We want CAN DO people.
(PLEASE UNDERSTAND)
Animal care jobs require responsible individuals. The animals rely on their care takers to show up when scheduled, and do their job properly every time. We want responsible, mature, motivated people.
Work schedules are 5 days a week and sometimes include Holidays and weekends. We rotate holidays and weekends. Keepers living onsite may sometimes be required to participate in night time checks of pregnant animals, or provide feeding to infant animals at night.
Compensation and benefits
Hourly & Salary Positions are available. Compensation is dependent on position and experience. If you wish to state your compensation requirements in your cover letter, that is very helpful.
We currently have a fully furnished 2 bedroom apartment available on site for a full time keeper. Includes washer/dryer, electric, high speed internet, storage area, balcony w/ view of state park. Housing is offered at no cost to keepers. A same gender room mate generally shares the apartment.
Application instructions
Please email applications to MUTOSH7@GMAIL.COM
Subject Line of email should say. KEEPER POSITION