Facility
Wildlife Conservation Society – Queens Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Wildlife Conservation Society
Position Description
Position Title: Wild Animal Keeper
Reports to: Animal Curators, Animal Supervisors, Senior Wild Animal Keepers
Supervises & Coordinates: Not applicable
Position Objective: To perform any authorized activity necessary for the safe, proper and humane management and maintenance of the animal collection, exhibits, holding facilities and associated service areas.
Principal Responsibilities:
1. Perform safe, proper and humane care of assigned animals according to established protocols or under the direction or the appropriate senior wild animal keeper and/or supervisory/curatorial staff.
2. Prepare animal diets according to established protocols or under the direction of the appropriate senior wild animal keeper and/or supervisory/curatorial staff.
3. Perform safe and proper maintenance of assigned animal exhibits, holding facilities and associated service areas according to established protocols or under the direction of the appropriate senior wild animal keeper and/or supervisory/curatorial staff.
4. Assist curatorial/supervisory staff in developing safe, proper and humane protocols for management and maintenance of the animal collection, exhibits, holding facilities and associated service areas.
5. Participate in the modification and enhancement of animal exhibits under the direction of the appropriate senior wild animal keeper and/or supervisory/curatorial staff to include, but not limited to, installation of plant material, perches, and exhibit props such as rocks and logs.
6. Inspect animal exhibits, holding facilities and associated service areas to ensure that they are clean, well lit, properly ventilated, properly heated or cooled, and that all mechanical systems are operating properly. Report any deficiencies and/or required maintenance to the appropriate senior wild animal keeper and/or supervisory/curatorial staff. Make any minor repairs necessary to ensure safe, proper and humane animal management.
7. Observe assigned animals for any changes in activity pattern, social behavior, feeding behavior and food preference, any abnormal behavior or evidence of injury or illness, any indications of sexual behavior or sexual cycle. Summarize these and other observations relevant to safe, proper and humane management in a daily report submitted to the appropriate senior wild animal keeper and/or supervisory/curatorial staff. Promptly report anything which might require immediate action to the appropriate senior keeper and/or supervisory/curatorial staff.
8. Carry out the veterinarian’s instructions for the care of sick and injured animals and summarize required procedures in a daily report submitted to the appropriate senior wild animal keeper and/or supervisory/curatorial staff.
9. Submit a daily report to the appropriate senior wild animal keeper and/or supervisory/curatorial staff which summarizes events/changes in the animal collection and staff activities within assigned work areas, identifies required maintenance, and lists needed supplies and equipment.
10. Serve as acting senior wild animal keeper in their absence if instructed by the supervisory/curatorial staff.
11. Aid the general public and provide information concerning the zoo, visitor services, exhibits and the animal collection.
12. Enforce the zoo’s visitor rules and regulations.
13. Perform other related tasks and duties as required.
Education and Pre-requisites
Qualification Requirements
Applicants must be able to comprehend and use oral and written English. In addition, they must meet at least one of the following requirements: 1. One year recent, full time paid experience in the handling, feeding and care of animals in a zoo or on a stock farm, OR 2. One academic year of full time study in animal husbandry or related fields in a school of agriculture or veterinary science, OR 3. An equivalent combination of education or experience.
Compensation and benefits
Full-time benefited position
Application instructions
If interested, please apply on our website! https://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers