Facility

Henson Robinson Zoo – Springfield IL

Closing Date

Description

Under the direction of the Henson Robinson Zoo’s General Animal & Education Curator a seasonal zookeeper is
responsible for the overall care of the animal collection, facilities, displays, and exhibits. This position is a non-exempt, hourly union position with a contractual wage scale starting at $16.10 an hour.

They are also involved in enhancing the overall guest experience and maintaining a positive work environment for all employees. Our Zoo is open seasonally from Mid March to November to the public and then December – January for our Annual Holiday Lights. Keepers are staff 7-days per week, 365 per year.

Specific Job Responsibilities:
• Prepare animal diets following the prescribed diets determined by the General Curator and follow proper animal feeding procedures.
• Clean animal exhibits, walkways, grounds, and other facilities within exhibit areas in accordance with the established Standard Operating Procedures.
• Performs daily observations of animals and exhibit facilities. Reports any abnormalities in animal behavior, animal health, exhibit security, and safety to their immediate supervisor or other member of management.
• Must be able to recognize diseases that might occur in captive wildlife. Carries out treatment prescribed by Zoo’s Veterinarian and General Curator.
• Recommends improvements in animal care procedures and schedules, exhibit maintenance, and safety.
• Utilizes proper restraint techniques with animal and human safety always in mind: this includes the agility to safely net and maneuver with injured, aggressive or handling neonate animals.
• Successfully secure animals, their enclosures, and other associated structures.
• Must be familiar with the AZA (American Zoo and Aquarium Association) code of Professional Ethics, Species Survival Plans, husbandry guidelines, and USDA standards.
• Zookeepers must stay current with animal training techniques and enrichment standards.
• Must interact with public in formal and informal encounters. Always remaining courteous while answering questions, enforcing rules, and educating.
• Performs maintenance work on exhibits facilities, grounds, and landscape, including minor repairs.
• Required to operate power tools, lawn care equipment, vehicles, traverse ladders and other equipment to repair and maintain the facility.
• Train, direct, and monitor Zoo interns or others as assigned.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Director and General Curator, or designee.
• Must be able to safely work in all weather conditions; including snow and humid conditions typical of central Illinois.
• Ability to work weekend, holidays, after hour events, and some travel for animal shipments or continuing education is required.
• The schedule is flexible and days off are subject to change based on institution needs.
• Seasonal Zookeepers will function as relief keepers covering areas.
• Seasonal Zookeepers are typically laid off for 3 months.

Education and Pre-requisites

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Associates degree in zoology, biology, or one year experience in the care of animals in a zoological institution or a suitable combination
• Most be able to work with a wide range of taxa including reptiles, raptors, primates, domestic barnyard animals, and large carnivores.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Must be able to multi-task and adjust to changing schedules and time constraints.
• Ability to use a two-way radio

Physical Demands: Based on an 8 hour workday

Never= 0 hrs Rarely 0-2 hrs Occasionally 2-4 hrs Frequently= 4-6 hours Continuously= 6-8 hours

• Sit: Rarely
• Stand: Frequently
• Walk: Frequently
• Bend: Frequently
• Squat: Occasionally
• Kneel: Frequently
• Crawl: Rarely
• Climb: Rarely
• Reach: Frequently
• Overhead reaching: Occasionally
• Grasp: Frequently
• Push/Pull: Occasionally
• Twist/Turn: Frequently
• Lift: 11-60 lbs occasionally
• Lift : 1-10 lbs frequently
• Stairs: Occasionally
• Ladders: Rarely

Other:
• Ability to lift heavy objects (60 lbs) from ground level, move approximately 10 feet and perform this at least 5 times in succession without danger of injury
• Ability to withstand heavy outdoor labor in extreme weather conditions.

Corrected Vision must include:
• Seeing 20/20
• Normal Depth Perception
Corrected Hearing must include:
• Normal frequency sensitivity

Speaking skills must include being understandable when speaking:
• In person
• On the telephone or radio

General Requirements:
• Must be able to read and write and have good command of the English language.
• Good oral and written communication.
• Physical capabilities – lifts 60 pounds, squat, bend and move as necessary for the job.
• Must be able to perform basic mathematics.
• Must have basic proficiency of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Must possess valid Illinois Driver’s License.
• Must possess professional phone skills and work well with the public.
• Must present a neat and professional appearance.
• Responsible to follow policies and procedures outlined in Springfield Park District employee manual.
• Must live in Sangamon County, in the State of Illinois or must be willing to move to Sangamon County in the State of Illinois within the first 6 months of acceptance of a position with the Springfield Park District.

Compensation and benefits

40 hour work week, non-traditional work week to include weekends; non-exempt, hourly union position at $16.10 per hour – work 9 months out of the year. 6 month probationary period. Granted 2 personal days per season, 4 sick days per season. Employer will make arrangements for all Zookeepers to receive vaccinations or inoculations against tetanus and tuberculosis at District expense. Employer agrees to maintain (for the term of Union Contract Agreement) the present group health and life insurance coverage’s and program or its equivalent. Employee eligible after 30 days. Employer shall pay the full cost of such program for just the employee. Each employee may enroll his/ her dependents in the program provided the employee pays the full group rate for such program.

Application instructions

How to Apply:
• Go to: www.springfieldparks.org
• Locate Join Our Team Tab
• Click on the green button that states “Click Here for a Full List of Job Opportunities and to Apply”
• Find this Job Description – select the position
• Complete the *Required Questions
• Download your *Resume
• Click Submit to apply for the position
Questions? Email: lsaputo@springfieldparks.org