Facility
OC Zoo, Irvine Regional Park, Orange, CA.
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
OC Zoo has a current vacancy for a Parks Animal Keeper. The Parks Animal Keeper will work under general direction of the Zoo Director, Zoo Curator and Senior Parks Animal Keepers. This is a professional position, requiring experience and working knowledge of exotic animals and how to take care of them. The Parks Animal Keeper must complete the daily tasks in a timely fashion with minimal supervision, keep detailed daily records, and be proficient in observing animals and their behaviors. The OC Zoo staff members are committed to providing a high-quality operation of animal care and a pleasant visitor experience. The Parks Animal Keeper duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:
Specific Responsibilities:
• Observing and carrying out all basic aspects of the daily care of animals.
• Reporting any observed health or behavioral abnormalities to Zoo Curator and Veterinarian
• Following all approved operation procedures listed in string duty assignments.
• Participating and developing programs focused on enhancing the guest experience.
• Giving presentations to the general public and engage with park visitors by discussing animal natural history, natural habitats, status of animals in the wild, care and feeding of animals and other topics of interest.
• Preparing accurate and detailed records and logs and maintaining monthly reports.
• Cleaning, maintaining and conducting minor repairs to assigned animal habitats.
• Inspecting, cleaning, and conducting minor repairs to assigned animal habitats.
• Inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining public walks, paths, zoo grounds, plants and animal enclosures.
• Maintaining manuals regarding duties/cares of assigned animals.
• Training employees and/or volunteers on proper care of animals, as well as, delegating tasks as needed.
• Utilizing hand tools, rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, and minor power tools to fix, enhance, clean, and maintain animal habitats and enclosures.
• Assisting veterinarian during visits and administering medications, monitoring injuries and healing when needed.
Education and Pre-requisites
The ideal candidate will possess over six years of experience working within a public/private zoo or wildlife sanctuary providing animal enrichment, record keeping and maintaining best practices concerning animal husbandry in a zoological setting. A Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Natural Sciences, or a related field is highly desirable.
• Daily cleaning, feeding, medicating, training, and conducting enrichment activities for assigned animals.
• Utilizing operations manuals for details regarding proper care and updating feeding and medication instructions.
• Understanding of accreditation standards, USDA and California Fish and Wildlife regulations as they pertain to caring for animals and ensuring they are health and their habitats are in compliance.
• Practical experience with maintaining habitats to ensure they are clean and free of dangerous items that may cause harm to the animals. This would include but limited to: removing old debris and animal stool, replacing bedding, inspecting enclosures, adding dirt, raking, mowing lawns, changing perching, seeding lawns, maintaining pump systems, cleaning and disinfecting enrichment toys.
• Working as a team to ensure proper coverage in areas and assisting when needed for training and engagement activities.
Compensation and benefits
Rate of Pay: $21.33 – $28.77 hourly
Application instructions
Please apply online at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oc. Only online applications will be accepted. The recruitment will remain open on a continuous basis until the needs of the County of Orange County are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.