Facility

Alaska Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Date: 11/7/2019

Applications are now being accepted for Zookeeper in the Animal Management Department at The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage. There is one full-time position to be filled at this time, and from this hiring process, one person will be selected. Pay rate: $DOE per hour.

Summary:
Responsible for the day-to-day animal care within specific assigned areas of the zoo, including behavioral enrichment and training.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

 Observes animal behavior, report abnormal behavior patterns and provide technical advice to management and staff.
 Prepares food for assigned animals; assist in the development of animal diets.
 Cleans and disinfect assigned animals and exhibit areas.
 Follows treatment plans and preventive health programs as prescribed by Zoo Veterinarian or Curator.
 Identifies and communicate safety concerns to management in a timely manner.
 Participates in the capture and restraint of dangerous animals as directed by management.
 Implements animal care procedures and policies, including record keeping.
 Maintains supply inventories.
 Assists with the physical transfer, shipment, or receipt of animals.
 Supports special animal care activities such as physical examinations, minor exhibit repairs and modifications, and major exhibit maintenance projects.
 Assists in development and implementation of behavior husbandry program.
 Plans, prepares, and conducts public presentations on animal care and conservation.
 Participates in exhibit design process and implementation, as directed.
 Provides technical assistance to internal or external researchers conducting authorized zoo studies.
 Represents the Alaska Zoo to the media, as directed.
 Conducts behind the scenes tours, as directed.
 Supports fundraising / development efforts of the Zoo.
 Perform other duties as assigned.

Schedule: Tues/Wed OFF. 7am – 4pm Thurs, Fri, Sat, 1:30 – 10pm Sunday, Monday

Education and Pre-requisites

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position may require that the individual be available or on-call 24-hours a day. Weekend, evening, and holiday work may be required.

Education/Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in a life sciences field from a four-year college or university; or experience and / or training with animals; or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl while cleaning exhibits. The employee must frequently lift and / or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and / or move up to 100 pounds when cleaning and maintaining exhibitry and moving animals. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Evaluating animal health, diet, or environment requires hearing, smell, and a variety of vision capabilities. Interaction with visitors and animals requires talking and hearing.

Compensation and benefits

Starting pay: DOE $13 – $15/hour
Benefits: health insurance after 90 days, vacation/sick, and holiday pay.

Application instructions

Send zoo application (http://alaskazoo.org/employment), cover letter and resume including references to:
SUBJECT: Zookeeper Position
Email: sjensen@alaskazoo.org

US Mail:
Curator
Alaska Zoo
4731 O’Malley Road
Anchorage, AK 99507