Facility
Housotn Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Our Mission:
Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.
Our Vision:
Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.
This position is ideal for a candidate that has working experience being responsible at supporting the day-to-day operations associated with the husbandry of a variety of bird species.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Carries out all aspects of the daily care of assigned animals including cleaning, feeding, exhibit maintenance, general upkeep of support facilities.
Maintains clean and organized exhibits, equipment, and keeper areas.
Maintains live exhibit plantings to enhance exhibit aesthetics and provide a comfortable environment for species; eliminates weeds and toxic plants from animal enclosures.
In conjunction with the Zoo’s pest control officer, may assist in pest control through the use of exclusion or traps.
Prepares and feeds appropriate diets as per established feeding practices and diet sheets.
Administers prescribed medications, supplements, or treatments under the guidance of the veterinary and supervisory staff.
Records and reports any abnormal species health or behavioral issues to the supervisor.
Maintains daily reports, logs, research or veterinary records, as appropriate and according to established guidelines; requires basic skills with Microsoft Office software applications.
Understands and applies a practical understanding of operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under his/her care.
Understands and applies the basic principles of animal enrichment as part of the daily management of species under his/her care.
Identifies any potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to the supervisor.
Participates in keeper chats, tours, animal presentations or demonstrations, and/or other public interactions as requested by the Supervisor.
Assists with department research projects as directed by the supervisor or curator and provides support to other Zoo projects as needed.
Exhibits good teamwork and communication skills both within the home team and when working with other teams or departments.
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Education and Pre-requisites
•Two-year or four-year degree in one of the natural sciences or a closely related discipline is preferred. Or students currently seeking higher education
OR
•A certificate of completion from an acceptable animal care program of not less than 30 semester hours is preferred.
•One year of experience in animal care is preferred, which may be gained through internships, volunteer experience, or employment.
•Artificial incubation and hand rearing experience desired; public speaking and presentation skills a plus.
Specific training and work experience in other settings, such as aquaculture, schools, nature centers, agricultural operations, or conservation centers may be considered on a case-by-case basis as fulfillment for the experience requirements.
Starting salary will be a function of the levels of experience and relevant post-high school education.
Compensation and benefits
Not specified.
Application instructions
ABOUT HOUSTON ZOO
The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.
Join the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities. Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Visit www.houstonzoo.org/careers to download an application.
E-mail resume and completed application to careers@houstonzoo.org