Facility

City of Eureka – Sequoia Park Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Under general supervision, participates in all aspects of maintenance and daily care of zoo animals, provides information and customer services to zoo visitors; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. No supervision of staff is exercised. May exercise technical or functional supervision over part time staff and volunteers.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a journey-level class in the City Zoo that performs a range of routine and complex animal care duties, provides customer service and education to patrons, maintains high husbandry standards, and assists with veterinary decisions. This class is distinguished from the Animal Curator in that the latter is responsible for technical and functional direction over lower-level zookeeper staff and is capable of performing the most complex duties assigned to the division.
EXPECTATION OF JOB DUTIES:
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job and ordering and storing food products. Prepares and verifies appropriate diet for each animal, including adding necessary supplements, feeding and providing fresh water. Observes and cares for animal collection, including checking animal health and
consumption activities, cleaning and sanitizing animal enclosures, and reporting any
abnormal activities to supervisor and entering information into daily records.
Observes sick, quarantined, and potentially injured animals; examines eyes, ears, skin, teeth, and takes stool samples; medicates and vaccinates animals as appropriate under the direction of a veterinarian. Orders animal food and supplies.
Performs general janitorial grounds and building duties, including cleaning drains and pump filters in addition to providing services for light construction, facility maintenance and repair. Participates in the performance of transport and veterinarian procedures, including helping administer medication, and restraining and capturing animals for transport or examinations.
Provides educational information to the visiting public, including providing general
information about Zoo operations and facilities, explaining animal behavior and care, and answering questions from the public and other Zoo personnel. Plans, documents, and implements animal training/shaping plans according to zoo
policies and provides environmental enrichment for zoo animals. Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas. Maintains a variety of records including animal behavior records and records on the
condition, treatments, observations, and other procedures; inputs such information into the appropriate record keeping system. Works with volunteer staff; provides supervision, information and instructions. Develops and implements area routines and trains staff on area routines Performs other duties as assigned

Education and Pre-requisites

Knowledge of:
Methods and techniques of handling, and caring for a variety of animals in various
conditions.
Principles of animal husbandry, including normal behavior and dietary care, wild animal behavior, care, and feeding procedures, animal flight distances and aggressive behavior indicators, and signs of illness of animals.
Wild animal behavioral management techniques including environmental enrichment
strategies, and animal training.
Plant taxonomy in order to recognize toxic and non-toxic plant species.
Methods and procedures of Zoo facilities cleaning and maintenance.
Applicable Federal, State and local laws, codes, and regulations, including USDA regulations for animal health and welfare.
Knowledge of AZA standards and accreditation.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of Zoo services.
Basic computer applications related to the work.
English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Techniques for dealing effectively with the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
Ability to: Respond to requests and inquiries for information regarding Zoo services.
Recognize normal and abnormal animal behavior.
Learn, understand, and interpret rules and regulations governing the intake, care, and transportation of animals.
Handle potentially dangerous animals in a safe and efficient manner.
Administer injections and medications to all types of animals.
Access, retrieve, enter, and update information using a computer terminal.
Meet and deal tactfully and effectively with the public.
Effectively represent the City at the Zoo.
Estimate needed materials and labor and secure sufficient quantities.
Practice safe work habits; train others in proper and safe work procedures.
Follow division policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
Prepare and maintain records and prepare work and time reports in assigned areas.
Organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to an Associate’s degree in zoology, biology, natural sciences, or a related field, and two (2) years of experience working with exotic/wild animals within a zoo operation, a wild animal park, animal care, or other animal facility.
Experience working with exotic/wild animals within a zoo operation is preferred.
Experience in an AZA accredited facility and bear and /or carnivore experience is highly desirable.
License: Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, as well as in a Zoo environment, and to inspect various animal care sites and habitats, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs and other access points; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a field classification and standing in and walking between
work areas may be required. Wrist flexion and lateral rotation are necessary in combination with grasping to handle tools and equipment. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate various hand and power tools and maintenance equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform work; push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and
file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials, objects, and animals necessary to perform job functions.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees primarily work at outside animal care sites and habitats and may be exposed to inclement weather conditions and hazardous physical substances. May involve exposure to dangerous and/or diseased animals, and animals known to cause allergies. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. This position will be around animals known to cause allergies.
WORKING CONDITIONS
May be required to work on evenings, weekends and holidays.

Compensation and benefits

$2,830 – $3,440 Monthly

*Base salary will increase by 2% in 2023 with another increase of 5% in 2024.

The City is currently hiring to fill two (2) permanent full- time vacancies for this position.

Plus excellent benefits including free family Zoo membership, free family Adorni Center
membership, free enrollment at Little Saplings Preschool for employee children and more!

Application instructions

For more information or to apply online please visit our website at: www.ci.eureka.ca.gov. Final filing date is Friday, October 14, 2022 at 5pm. EOE.