Facility
ZooMontana
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
ZooMontana is seeking a Living Collections Caretaker for the Zoo’s Barn area. This individual will carry out all aspects of the daily care of assigned animals including cleaning, feeding, grooming, and observing. Animals include Bison, Miniature Donkeys, Goats, Chickens, Rabbits, and Alpaca. This role also administers medication and treatment as directed, provides training and enrichment, and participates in education and conservation programs.
Essential Functions:
• Observes and evaluates animal condition, behavior and responses and communicates observations orally and on written reports
• Prepares and feeds appropriate diets, noting conformance of foods provided to diets prescribed for each animal.
• Administers prescribed medications and dietary supplements and monitors food and medicine consumption.
• Checks on integrity of enclosures and structures, ensuring safety and welfare of animals, zoo visitors, and staff in accordance with established guidelines.
• Maintains live plants within enclosures ensuring neat, attractive exhibits.
• Performs minor repairs and preventative maintenance as necessary.
• Maintains clean and organized exhibits, equipment, and keeper areas.
• Improves the quality of life of the animal collection by providing environmental and behavioral enrichment opportunities.
• Trains selected animals through operant conditioning for purposes of gaining cooperation for veterinary treatment and/or public demonstrations.
• Installs exhibit furnishings, props, and decorations safely, attractively and in a manner consistent with zoo guidelines.
• Must be able to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as scheduled.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Education and Pre-requisites
Two years of experience within animal care is preferred. Previous experience working with farm/ranch animals, small mammals and aquarium systems preferred. Strong public speaking skills and ability to improvise are very important. Strong team player skills, the ability to work independently and a strong initiative are musts.
• Must possess a high school diploma. A bachelor’s degree in a life science or education is preferred.
• Must be able stand for extended periods of time
• Must be able to withstand typical Montana climate
• Must be able to work on weekends, holidays, and flexible hours as well as various evening hours.
• Maintain clean driving record for safe operation of nature center vehicles and possess and maintain a state of Montana driver’s license.
• Must have excellent interpretation skills, be comfortable with public speaking and be able to improvise when needed.
Skills:
Knowledge in operant conditioning, implementation of animal training and enrichment programs is preferential. The successful candidate for this position is motivated, energetic and a team oriented individual with good problem solving, written and oral communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. In addition, this job requires the ability to work independently, and as a team member with a willingness to learn.
Compensation and benefits
$16/hour, paid time off and benefits after successful probationary period.
Application instructions
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Travis Goebel at tgoebel@zoomontana.org