Animal Care

Great Plains Zoo; Sioux Falls, Northern (SD, KY); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Plains Zoo seeks an experienced zookeeper to join the Ungulate team in Sioux Falls. You will care for ungulate species, prepare diets, monitor health, and support training and enrichment programs.

You will also maintain exhibits, assist with keeper chats, and help with tours, media events, and occasional after-hours duties. A background in zoological care is essential.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Previous zookeeper experience preferred.
• Experience in AZA accredited facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for ungulates, including diet prep and health monitoring.
• Observe and report physical/behavioral changes; assist veterinarians.
• Implement training and enrichment programs; maintain enclosures and exhibits.
• Present keeper chats and assist with tours and public events.
• Move and transport animals using approved handling methods.

Skills

Team player

Time management

Calm under pressure

Instruction following

Emergency response

Safety procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree in Zoology/Biology/Animal Science

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Join us at the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium as a member of our Ungulate team!

Job Summary

Zookeepers are responsible for the specialized work involving all the health and wellbeing of native and exotic animals through feeding, enclosure maintenance, behavioral observation, training, enrichment and health care maintenance and treatment. This position works with a variety of ungulates which includes Black Rhinos, Reticulated Giraffes, Eastern Bongo, Grevy’s Zebras, Bactrian Camels, and Bison.

Essential Functions

• Provide all aspects of daily care for the animals in assigned exhibits and holding areas including but not limited to:
  • Innovative animal husbandry that is in compliance with AZA and USDA standards.
  • Preparation and feeding of approved diets.
  • Monitoring of physical and behavioral aspects of the animals under assigned care.
  • Implementation of the behavioral program of the animals under assigned care which include the animal training (operant conditioning) and enrichment programs.
  • Designing and maintaining proper animal enclosures/props/exhibits.
  • Utilizing preventative husbandry techniques and providing proactive health care as required.
  • Provide proper care for neonates and young (may require care outside of normal working hours).
• Maintain exhibits and holding areas in a clean, aesthetically pleasing, and presentable condition at all times. Includes performing general maintenance and repair of exhibits: painting, repairing fences and shelters, abating erosion, removing weeds, and snow removal. Maintains the cleanliness of other areas such as breakrooms, hallways etc.
• Observe the animal collection for any signs of illness, lethargy, injury, or dietary problems and report any problems to the Veterinarian, Area Supervisor, and/or Director of Animal Care.
• Assist the Veterinarian, Area Supervisor, and/or Director of Animal Care in routine animal examinations and medicate animals with any prescribed treatments.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees as well as interact and communicate well with the general public.
• Maintain daily reports, medical records, enrichment logs, and other records as needed in the assigned area.
• Give presentations to guests on a regular basis (Keeper Chats) and answers guests questions about animals and exhibits. This engagement of Zoo’s guests should extend to being willing to provide Behind the Scenes area tours, participate in media related events, participate in public relations projects and work special events in area as necessary.
• Capture, handle, and move animals using accepted Great Plains Zoo practices to facilitate internal movement, external shipping, medical procedures, or normal routines. Perform basic restraint, crating/uncrating and transport of animals as required and must have the ability to operate various sizes of animal squeeze cages.
• Other duties as assigned by the Area Supervisor and/or Director of Animal Care & Conservation.

Competency

• Must be able to follow written and oral instructions.
• Must be flexible, self-motivated, enthusiastic and a team player.
• Must demonstrate punctual attendance, reliability and good time management skills.
• Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.
• Must be able to shoot rifles, shotguns and capture dart guns as required and/or directed to assist in the animal escape and recovery plan.
• Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position helps to oversee and train Junior Zookeepers, interns, volunteers and seasonal employees; however, this position does not have any direct reports.

Work Environment

Must be able to tolerate and be exposed to strong odors, toxic or caustic chemicals, dust, hay, animal fur/hair/dander, and wet or humid conditions (non-weather) and all variable outdoor weather conditions.

Physical Demands

Must be able to climb ladders/stairs, lift crates/animals and / or equipment weighing 70 lbs., operate mowers, handle fires hoses, operate weed eaters, hay elevators, motorized carts, tractors, dump truck, pickup truck, load and operate wheel barrows loaded up to 150 lbs., be agile and flexible to maneuver in and around the animals within exhibits, corrals and holding areas.

Required Education and Experience

Requires a bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science or other related degree; or an equivalent level of work experience and education as determined by the hiring authority.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Previous animal training and/or Zookeeper experience.
• Experience in an AZA accredited facility is preferred.

Additional Qualifications

• Maintain a current tetanus vaccination (5 years) and be willing to be TB tested annually.
• Must be certified or able to become certified in CPR/AED within 1 year of employment.
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays and evenings as required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a pre-employment background check.
• Covid-19 and Flu Vaccines encouraged; must following masking protocols as determined by organization.