Facility
Oakland Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
A Relief Animal Keeper is an experienced-level position, responsible for the daily management of a string or strings including the animals, routine duties, and string staff, which includes floating and apprentice keepers, interns, and volunteers. Each string has a Supervising Primary Keeper, who works five days per week on the string and is responsible for the daily management of the string and string staff. The Relief Keeper is expected to cover the strings in the absence of the Primary Keeper on their days off by maintaining the string duties, overseeing delegated responsibilities, and completing special projects as needed. The Relief Keepers take direction from the Supervising Primary Keeper and the Zoological Manager regarding daily operations, as appropriate. Work ranges from the physical tasks associated with feeding and maintenance of the animals’ living areas to more analytical tasks of planning, record keeping and communication. They are expected to guide and support junior staff and volunteers as appropriate. They must also be able to represent the Zoo in a variety of public settings including press interviews, instructional classes and casual communication with Zoo guests.
This position spends 3 days per week as the Relief Commissary Keeper typically working 8-4:30 and 2 days per week as the Relief Night Keeper working 2:30pm – 11:00pm. The Commissary duties include prepping diets for most of the zoo’s animals, delivering diets, updating diet records, procuring supplies, cleaning, and maintaining the commissary. The Night Keeper duties include prepping diets and assisting the commissary, feeding and shifting animals after the day shift leaves including elephants and giraffes, general zoo security, and observations. The Night Keeper typically works alone in their duties. Other string duties and special projects can be assigned as needed.
Job Requirements
1. A minimum of 1 year full time experience in the care of managed wildlife or related professional experience ideally at a zoological facility.
2. Good physical condition; able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. (i.e. feed sack) and move a minimum of 120lbs.(i.e. hay bale)
3. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
4. Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays.
5. Good written and verbal communications skills
6. Knowledge of the habits and hazards of working with wild animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while observing proper safety precautions
Education and Pre-requisites
1. Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology or a related field.
2. Knowledge and experience in behavioral training theory and practical application
3. Experience working in a zoological commissary or experience as a swing shift/night keeper.
Compensation and benefits
$20.42 – $28.60/hour, pay commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and life insurance; two weeks of vacation and eleven paid holidays annually.
Candidates not exceeding minimum requirements will not receive a response. Applicants selected for candidacy are required to attend an on-site working interview.
Application instructions
Submit resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references via email only to:
Adam Fink, Zoological Manager: adam@oaklandzoo.org