Animal Keeper

Association Of Zoos & Aquariums; Eureka (MO); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Animal Keeper to join their passionate team at the Endangered Wolf Center. In this vital role, you will provide expert care for a variety of animals while supporting conservation efforts. Your responsibilities will include managing diets, enriching animal environments, and assisting in medical procedures. The ideal candidate will possess a background in wildlife biology and have strong interpersonal skills to foster positive interactions with visitors and team members. This full-time position offers a dynamic work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on animal welfare and conservation.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Contribution Match

Paid Time Off

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology or related field required.
• Experience with AZA-accredited zoological settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive welfare to collection animals, including diet management.
• Support animal care and conservation efforts, engaging with visitors.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Technical Skills

Judgment in Stressful Situations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology

Zoology or related field

Tools

ZIMS

Google Suite

Dropbox

Job description

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Animal Keeper

Position Overview
The Animal Keeper role supports the Endangered Wolf Center’s animal care and conservation efforts by providing expert welfare to the Center’s animal collection, consisting primarily of large canids, with a current collection plan that includes potential for a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Institutional Summary

Did you know every Mexican wolf in the wild today can trace its roots back to the Endangered Wolf Center (EWC)? Founded in 1971 by Marlin and Carol Perkins, the EWC continues to lead the pack with pioneering science, pup fostering, reintroduction, and inspiring educational programs to preserve and protect Mexican Wolves, American Red Wolves, and other wild canid species.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Culture

Support the Endangered Wolf Center’s organizational culture, promoting transparency and collaboration.

Contribute positively as a member of a diverse and talented staff to further EWC’s mission.

Organizational Capacity

Collaborate with the greater EWC team to support animal care and conservation efforts, and proactively engage in positive interactions with all visitors.

Support efforts to grow mission capacity through work with both traditional zoo husbandry techniques and more hands-off recovery species husbandry techniques.

Operational Capacity

Provide comprehensive welfare to collection animals, inclusive of diet management, enrichment programming, cleaning protocols, behavioral observations and training, and assistance with medical procedure, including hands-on captures.

Actively participate in departmental planning efforts in strategy and operational decision-making and assist in implementing determined courses of action.

Stakeholder Engagement

Develop and maintain effective, fruitful, long-term relationships with contractors, conservation partners, and volunteers.

Represent the organization in a manner that strengthens the brand and communicates the Endangered Wolf Center’s purpose, mission, and vision.

Builds & fosters trust with others

Motivates with compassion

Contributes to a team-first culture

Accountability

Acts with integrity

Contributes productively to group efforts

Owns mistakes and uses them as constructive growth opportunities

Effectively manages workload

Shows good judgment with sound decision-making

Proactively navigates obstacles in workflow

Successfully adapts to unexpected challenges

Demonstrates commitment to continuous learning

Performs duties without unnecessary supervision

Job Ability

Displays technical skills appropriate to experience

Work quality meets expected standards

Demonstrates professionalism with all stakeholders

Maintains job-related proficiencies

Stays up-to-date on field-related knowledge

Stewardship

Exhibits workplace behaviors consistent with the mission

Contributes to a sense of belonging, community, and well-being for all

Prioritizes service to others

Upholds the highest professional ethics and standards

Demonstrates commitment to safe practices

Experience & Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, zoology or related field required; education preferences may be substituted by an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

Previous experience using modern canid techniques with both recovery and non-recovery species and practices in an AZA-accredited zoological setting (capture, restraint, breeding, general husbandry, etc.) preferred

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, both written and oral; comfortable speaking in front of large groups

Ability to use various office software products (word processing, databases, spreadsheets, Dropbox, Google Suite, etc.), experience with ZIMS or other animal records keeping system preferred

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced setting and handle stressful situations while exercising sound judgment.

Must hold or be able to possess a valid driver's license within three months of hire

Successful completion of a background check is required before employment

Physical Demands

This is a full-time on-site role; remote work days are considered as-needed.

Able and willing to work non-traditional hours (weekends, nights, and holidays) and travel (including overnight trips) as needed

Daily exposure to outside weather conditions and a natural work environment, including poison ivy, mosquitoes, ticks, etc.

Required to be a member of the Center’s Gun Team in the event of a potentially dangerous animal escape (training provided)

Frequent sitting, standing, bending, walking (including on uneven surfaces), and unassisted lifting up to 50 lbs

Sufficient strength, agility, and coordination to net, capture, and/or restrain animals of various sizes

Capable of holding certification in First Aid and CPR

Further Comments

Starting from $14.75 hourly. Individual rate will vary based on previous experience and relevant skills/knowledge set. Exceptionally qualified candidates may be offered an advanced role within the department.

EWC’s benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) contribution match, paid time off, and some pretty wild co-workers of assorted leg count!

How to Apply

Send CV/resume and references to [e-mail] , with “Animal Keeper” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until this position is filled.

• Example: the mailing address, email address, fax number or website the applicant should use to apply.

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