Facility

Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary

Closing Date

Description

This posting will close on February 19, 2021 at 5:00pm, or when 150 applications have been received, whichever occurs first.

Under general supervision, feed, care for, and perform maintenance work necessary for the health and well being of zoo animals. Incumbents may oversee, monitor, and/or direct the work of volunteers and/or temporary staff. Experience caring for large carnivores preferred.

This small, unique California zoo provides sanctuary to some very special rescued animals. All are non-releasable. Many were raised and rejected as wild pets. Others were injured or orphaned in the wild. Most are native to North America. All have names and personalities. Their individual stories are posted at their enclosures, along with factual information about their species. The basis of the zoo sanctuary mission statement is “Teaching Responsible Behavior Toward All Animals.”

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Zookeeper I is the entry level class in the Zookeeper series, competent to perform duties. This class is distinguished from those in the lower trainee classification of the Assistant Zookeeper. Zookeeper I is distinguished from the Zookeeper II in that the latter serves as the advanced level specialist in the series.

Examples of Essential Duties
NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all the duties listed.
•Observe the general health and well being of animals and document any changes or problems; alert appropriate personnel of need for medical attention.
•Administer medications and supplements as directed.
•Clean and sanitize animals, food preparation, and storage areas and equipment.
•Prepare diets and feed animals; observe food consumption patterns.
•Provide minor assistance to veterinarian.
•Assist in restraining or capturing animals.
•Perform minor repair and landscape work on exhibits and grounds.
•Give guided tours to groups.
•Monitor the behavior of the public and correct unsafe behavior.
•Work on special projects as assigned.
•Oversee volunteer staff.
•May occasionally act in the absence of senior level staff by overseeing the operations of the Zoo.
•Perform related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards
Note: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Essential Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:
•Animal behavior, illnesses, symptoms, and basic physiology.
•Basic care and nutrition of a wide variety of wild and domestic animals, with emphasis on native North American wildlife.
•Animal restraint and capture techniques.
•Proper safety protocols.
•Sanitation and disinfection techniques.

Ability to:
•Maintain zoo animals, exhibits, and work areas in a clean, safe, and healthy condition.
•Make minor exhibit repairs and modifications.
•Maintain adequate discipline among people visiting the zoo.
•Instruct and oversee volunteers in proper zoo maintenance.
•Maintain written logs and reports.
•Make oral presentations in front of groups.
•Effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
•Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Pre-requisites

Minimum Qualifications
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:
One (1) year of experience in the care, handling, and feeding of animals in a zoo or sanctuary setting. Experience caring for large carnivores preferred.

Substitution:
Completion of six (6) units of college level coursework in animal science, biology, zoology, wildlife management, or a closely related field can substitute for three (3) months of the required experience.

License, Certificate, Registration Requirements:
Possession of, or the ability to obtain and retain, a California Class “C” driver license by the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Physical Requirements:
Work is performed in an outdoor environment on a year-round basis. (1) Mobility: frequent performance of moderate manual labor; frequent standing or walking for long periods or time; frequent bending or squatting; frequent driving of vehicles. (2) Lifting: frequent lifting up to 50 pounds; occasional lifting up to 75 pounds. (3) Vision: constant use of overall vision. (4) Dexterity: frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. (5) Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking in person. (6) Emotional/Psychological: frequent coworker and public contact; occasional working alone. (7) Environmental: frequent exposure to loud noise; frequent exposure to chemicals and fumes; frequent exposure to dangerous wild animals that may carry diseases or parasites.

Other Requirements:
Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

Compensation and benefits

$3,374.71 – $4,671.53 Monthly
$40,496.52 – $56,058.36 Annually

A benefits summary can be found here:
https://www.folsom.ca.us/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=40181

Application instructions

To apply, please click this link:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/folsom/jobs/2969569/zookeeper-i?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

For additional info, please contact:

City of Folsom
Human Resources Dept.
50 Natoma Street
Folsom, California, 95630
(916) 461-6050
Website: http://www.folsom.ca.us