Facility

City of El Paso Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Depending on the vacancy, candidate may be assigned to different areas of the Zoo.

GENERAL PURPOSE:
Under general supervision, supervise and participate in the care of assigned zoo animal collection and monitor maintenance of exhibits, grounds and service areas.

TYPICAL DUTIES:
Direct and provide for the care of assigned animal collection. Involves: Observe animal behavior, watch for illness and injury and monitor reproductive behavior. Assist in the care of animals by cleaning, feeding, and monitoring. Clean exhibits and holding areas as needed. Assist and perform animal handling, capturing and restraint. Assist veterinary staff in animal procedures. Prepare documentation as required on animal care.
Perform enrichment and conditioning activities for the animals. Involves: Develop enrichment devices. Prepare enrichment schedules. Evaluate success of enrichment items. Train and condition animals to behave while staff is performing medical procedures and checking for injury and illness.
Assist in the maintenance of animal exhibits. Involves: Clean animal exhibits, aquariums and holding areas. Assist in the replacement and repair of structures, plants and other habitat as needed. Prepare work orders and coordinate work with maintenance. Assist with planning and design of animal habitats and displays.

Perform a variety of duties in support of the animal care. Involves: Requisition animal food and supplies. Maintain inventories. Prepare detailed records of animal behaviors, physical condition, reproduction and other as required. Recommend improvements in animal care. Provide information about the zoo and facilities to the public. Assist with preparation of budget for area. Attend meetings. Enter information into computer and prepare appropriate reports.

Supervise assigned staff. Involves: Schedule, assign, instruct, guide and check work. Appraise employee performance. Provide training and development. Enforce personnel rules and regulations and work behavior standards firmly and impartially. Counsel, motivate and maintain harmony. Interview applicants. Recommend hiring, termination, discipline, merit pay or other employee status changes. Enforce animal and staff safety requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
• Application of considerable knowledge of exotic animal care feeding and handling methods and techniques for area of assignment: Area 1: Animals from Asia’s geographic area: e.g. elephants, tapirs, antelope, deer, waterfowl, and small to large birds. Area 2: Animals from the America’s geographic area: e.g. nocturnal & diurnal raptors; upland gamebirds, small birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates of the Chihuahan desert; waterfowl, ratites, parrots, sea lions hoofstock, canids, felids, ursids, capybaras and maras. Area 3: Animals from Asia’s geographic area: e.g. freshwater fish; carnivorous, omnivorous, nectivorous, frugivorous and seedeating birds; pythons, monitor lizards, small hoofstock, fruit bats, small mammals, great apes, other primates, ursids and small to very large felids. Area 4: Animals from the America’s geographic area: e.g. freshwater fish; marine fish and invertebrates; piscivorous, omnivorous, insectivorous, seedeating, frugivorous, wading and water birds; amphibians; venomous and non-venomous snakes and lizards; turtles, tortoises; alligators, small felids, sloths, tamanduas, and small primates. Area 5 :Animals from the African geographical area: e.g. ratites; piscivorous, carnivorous, omnivorous, insectivorous, seedeating, frugivorous, wading and water birds; lizards, amphibians, meerkats, mole rats, tortoises, lions, painted dogs, primates; antelope, deer, zebra and giraffe. Education animals represent several geogrpical areas: e.g. freshwater fish; terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates; amphibians, non-venomous snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises; parrots; small to medium mammals, (rats, chinchillas, shrews, rabbits, hedgehogs).
• Application of good knowledge of exotic animal safety, enrichment, conditioning behavior and husbandry techniques pertaining to animals of assigned area.
• Application of good knowledge of exotic animal health including diseases, nutrition and environment pertaining to animals of assigned area.
• Application of some knowledge of animal enclosures and zoo equipment maintenance methods and techniques.
• Application of some knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Identify unusual animal behavior and take corrective action.
• Maintain detailed records.
• Handle, restrain and transport zoo animals.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, other zoo staff and the general public.

OTHER JOB CHARACTERISTICS:
• Requires mobility within a zoo environment.
• Works around a variety of animal species with potential for physical harm from bites, kicks, heavy lifting, surgical instruments, etc.
• Exposure to infectious diseases from daily contact with exotic and domestic animals including bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral pathogens.
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions during animal emergencies.

Education and Pre-requisites

Education and Experience: A High School diploma or GED, and four (4) years of specialized zoo animal care experience in the area of assignment, including one (1) year lead work experience.

Licenses and Certificates: Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent from another state.

Compensation and benefits

Salary: $14.65 Hourly

Application instructions

Interested applicants must go to www.elpasotexas.gov to apply. Applications are only accepted online. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. This position will close once a preset number of qualified applications have been received.