Facility

Chehaw Park and Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Start Date: July 6, 2020 (flexible)
This is a full-time, 6-month position working alongside a team of zoo professionals to assist with daily animal husbandry, enrichment, training, and medical procedures. This position is designed to provide valuable on-the-job experience for entry-level keepers and to further prepare them for a career in the animal-care field.
The Zoo houses a variety of species, and relief keepers will be assigned to areas as decided by staff. Some animals in our collection are: Black Rhinoceros, Cheetah, Bactrian Camels, Red Wolves, Straw-colored Fruit Bats, nonvenomous and venomous reptiles, raptors, Lesser Flamingos, Colobus Monkeys, and Lemurs.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
40 hours (5 days) per week – ANY DAY Mon-Sun
Available to work weekends and holidays
Position will continue for no more than 6 months or 1500 hours in one calendar year

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Enclosure cleaning and maintenance
• Diet preparation and feeding
• Animal observation and proper record documentation
• Implementation of approved enrichment
• Animal handling during public presentations
• Development of public speaking skills through conservation-themed programs
• Working all major holidays if scheduled to do so

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions including heat, humidity, rain, cold, and dust
• Will be exposed to strong odors, dust, hay, and animal fur/hair/dander
• Position involves considerable physical exertion such as repetitive bending, pushing/pulling/carrying heavy loads, and regular lifting of heavy objects (up to 60 pounds)

Education and Pre-requisites

• Must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent; a college degree is preferred
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Proof of a negative TB test within 30 days of hire (CPZ can provide a TB test for successful applicants)
• Proof of Tetanus vaccination within 10 years
• Preventative rabies vaccination highly recommended but not required
• Previous animal-care experience is preferred but not required

Compensation and benefits

Pay: $7.50 per hour
Optional housing and utilities: $50.00 per week deducted from pay; on a “first-come, first-served” basis, Chehaw offers private rooms for rent for temporary employees whose primary residence creates a commute of over 2 hours. These rooms share common indoor living areas with other temporary staff.

Application instructions

Send resume and cover letter to Ssassone@chehaw.org, on or before listed closing date of June 5, 2020, with subject line: Summer 2020 Seasonal Keeper Position.
No telephone calls will be accepted.