Facility

Fort Worth Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Summary:
This position is responsible for the cleaning and feeding of hospitalized and quarantined animals, providing general support during clinical procedures as needed, maintaining the cleanliness and sanitation of the hospital, and general facility support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Work closely with second keeper to establish, monitor, and modify husbandry needs of hospitalized and quarantined animals toward the goals of reducing the stress of hospitalization, ensuring adequate food intake, and ensuring compliance with prescribed treatments
• Follow protocols set by vet services coordinator and veterinarians for facility sanitation and disinfection, including janitorial duties
• Record daily observations of attitude, changes in behavior, signs of illness, food intake, fecal and urine output of all hospitalized and quarantined animals, including measurement and recording of body weights on a schedule set for each animal
• Stay familiar with and follow all safety protocols for the hospital setting including compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the use of hazardous chemicals, lifting, and other daily job duties
• Assist veterinary and technical staff with the administration of treatments, including manual restraint of animals for examination, injection, or oral treatment, positioning animals for remote injection, and administering oral medications appropriately in the animal’s diet
• Collect and submit diagnostic samples including fecal samples as requested by the vet services coordinator, technical staff or veterinarians
• Carry out incineration of all carcasses, being sure to follow all safety and operating protocols of the incinerator
• Carry out animal diet directives from Nutritional Services Dept; clean and maintain food storage containers
• Assist in medical procedures in the clinic as directed by the vet services coordinator or veterinarians
• Be familiar with emergency response procedures in the hospital and the zoo in order to participate in an emergency response if called upon to do so
• Assist in the supervision of volunteers in their duties as keeper support
• Assist with maintenance of the medical records filing system as requested by coordinator
• When necessary, euthanize feeder animals for use in hospitalized animal diets
• Participate in the zoo-wide behavioral management program by implementing approved animal training and enrichment projects
• Participate in and implement approved research projects
• Assist in facility maintenance, USDA facility compliance, and AZA accreditation readiness

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain zoo standards of insurability
Demonstrated knowledge of:
• Basic principles and procedures of safe animal handling and restraint techniques of a variety of animal species
• Operational characteristics of animal handling and food preparation equipment
• Observational skills for sick and quarantined animals
• Safe work procedures when around animals
• Principles and procedures of record keeping
Must possess ability to:
• Work with a variety of domestic and wild animals
• Operate a variety of animal equipment and tools in a safe and effective manner
• Implement diet instructions specified by nutritionist
• Maintain accurate records on animal behavior
• Work independently in the absence of immediate supervision
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Maintain mental capacity which permits making sound decisions and using good judgment, prioritizing work activities, demonstrating intellectual capabilities
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting, walking or standing for extended periods of time, lifting, working closely with others, operating assigned equipment

Education and/or Experience:
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Bachelors degree in animal science-related subject preferred
• Minimum one year experience in direct animal care

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Team oriented zoo environment
• Exposure to a variety of animals, animal body fluids and animal odors
• Exposure to potentially dangerous animal situations
• Exposure to potentially zoonotic diseases
• Exposure to disinfecting, laboratory, and medical chemicals
• Exposure to working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Flexible work schedule that requires being on call during off hours (including weekends and holidays)
• Ability to work special events and functions as required

Education and Pre-requisites

Not specified.

Compensation and benefits

Not specified.

Application instructions

Apply online at fortworthzoo.org/careers