Ambassador Animal Keeper

Blank Park Zoo; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent working environment

Health benefits

Job summary

A non-profit zoo is seeking an Animal Keeper in Des Moines, Iowa to provide care for a diverse collection of animals, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. Responsibilities include daily animal husbandry, monitoring animal health, and assisting in educational programming for visitors. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Biology or a related field, along with a minimum of one year of experience in a zoo or similar setting. We offer a competitive salary and a fulfilling work environment.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of paid animal husbandry experience, preferably in a zoo.
• Ability to maintain calm in emergencies and during guest interactions.
• Experience with educational programming is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care and husbandry for various animal species.
• Maintain animal health and report any abnormalities.
• Assist in educational programming and guest interactions.

Skills

Animal husbandry

Observation skills

Microsoft Office

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Four-year degree in Biology, Zoology, or Animal Ecology

Tools

Skid loaders

Vehicles

Job description

The Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa is a non-profit organization and home to more than 2,800 animals representing nearly 240 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, and is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The mission of the Blank Park Zoo is to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research and recreation.

Position Purpose

Under the direction of the Ambassador Animal Care Manager, this position will be responsible for the daily husbandry and care of the Ambassador Animal collection consisting of varied species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. The Ambassador department also oversees and assists with the alpacas in the Alpaca Acres exhibit. This position may be expected to assist with and conduct both formal and informal onsite educational programming for visitors of all ages. Additionally, the Animal Keeper supports our Zoo Mission which is to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research, and recreation.

Essential Functions

• Provides husbandry needs of all animals in care by participating in daily cleaning and enclosure maintenance, diet preparation, administering medications, feeding, training, and enrichment
• Responsible for daily observation of animal health and welfare. Reports abnormal behavior and problems to area supervisor
• Input data, observations, behavioral, and medical notes into daily logs and records
• Work closely with veterinary staff to provide best possible care for the animals
• Responsible for maintaining the grounds of public areas in Alpaca Acres. Adheres to established animal handling and related safety protocols. Under the supervision of Rusty Stars Alpacas, understand and assist with the transport of alpacas.
• Participate in established animal escape drills and procedures.
• Assist with the research and acquisition of new animals to the collection
• Participates in discussions and decisions of dispositions of animals in the collection
• Assist with conducting, reviewing, and discussing animal welfare assessments
• Assist in daily handling of animals for husbandry needs and programming use
• Assists in animal training, developing training plans, and recording of training notes for husbandry needs and programming use
• Provide daily enrichment, help build/create new enrichment items, and record enrichment into daily log
• Conduct formal and informal onsite programs and guest interactions
• Participate in membership programs including tours, presentations, and lectures.
• Collaborates with animal care team and education program team to achieve common husbandry and program goals
• Collaborates with animal care team, engagement team, and guest services team to achieve common husbandry, program, and guest experience goals for Alpaca Acres.
• Functions effectively in both team and individual settings, and works toward adopting and creating best animal welfare practices
• Identifies and communicates with maintenance of repairs needed for the safety of animals, visitors and staff as well as overall upkeep of the facilities
• Works closely with, oversees, mentors, and supports volunteers and interns of all ages as well as assisting with training of new staff.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Key Attributes

• Resourceful – Understanding of or can research all applicable topics as they relate to modern zoological management, operations of an attraction and customer service.
• Flexible – Ability to handle a flexible workload with a variety of assignments while also maintain composure in an environment that can be stressful.
• Independent – Must be able to operate independently, exercise initiative and demonstrate capacity for detail and follow-up.
• Positive – Must be a positive, effective team member and be able to establish professional working relationships.
• Communicator – Communicates clearly, both verbal and written. Effective listening skills.
• Critical Thinker – Ability to make decisions while under pressure or solve complex problems that arise daily.
• Innovative – Ability to propose solutions to areas of concern as related to animal care.
• Efficient – Ability to complete task in a thorough but quick manner.
• Customer-oriented – Always exercises professional customer service skills. Interacts with many different types of people and situations.
• Team Player – Collaborates with area supervisor and team to achieve common husbandry goals.
• Assists with supervision of interns, volunteers , and seasonal staff.

Grounds/Maintenance/Animal Care

While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, walk on even terrain, climb, and utilize manual dexterity to use various tools, machines, and equipment. Most of the job tasks are completed inside. However, the incumbent is occasionally exposed to all types of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold, snow, hail, wind, and rain. Some work is required in small and/or confined spaces. Incumbents are exposed to noisy environments such as mowers and motors.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to successfully perform the essential functions.

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.

Constantly Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly

Adjusting or moving objects up to 50 pounds in all directions.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Communicating with others to exchange information.

☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly

Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly

Operating machinery and/or power tools.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly

Driving.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling –

☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly

Reaching with hands and arms.

☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly

Tasting or smelling.

Vision

Other

Required education and experience

• Four-year college degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Ecology, or a related field.
• 1+ years of paid experience in animal husbandry (preferably in a zoo setting).
• Experience in interpretation and/or education is encouraged, but not required.
• Experience with Microsoft office, Excel spreadsheets, and Google drive are encouraged.

Additional eligibility requirements

• Must be insurable to drive a zoo vehicle.
• Must be able to maintain work hours that will serve the needs of the Blank Park Zoo.
• Must be able to operate various equipment, including skid loaders, trailers, and large vehicles.
• Must be able to maintain calm and act professionally in all situations such as emergencies and guest interactions.

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid Iowa motor vehicle license
• Willing to obtain First Aid/CPR Training

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

Blank Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer and give employment and promotional consideration without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and any other protected class as required by local, state, or federal law. We seek applicants for employment who are dedicated, hardworking and seek fulfilling employment. In return Blank Park Zoo offers competitive income, benefits, and an excellent working environment.