Animal Keeper

Kate on Conservation; Missouri; On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization is seeking an Animal Keeper to support animal care and conservation efforts. The role includes providing expert welfare to various species, engaging with visitors, and collaborating with a dedicated team. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and experience in zoological settings. This full-time position requires non-traditional hours and physical stamina to manage the demands of the role.

Qualifications

• Experience with modern canid techniques in an AZA-accredited setting preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive welfare to collection animals including diet management and behavioral observations.
• Develop relationships with contractors and conservation partners.

Skills

Collaboration

Accountability

Initiative & Innovation

Stewardship

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology

Bachelor’s degree in zoology

Tools

Google Suite

ZIMS

Job description

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.

Key Competencies

Collaboration

• Builds & fosters trust with others
• Motivates with compassion
• Contributes to a team-first culture
• Cultivates positive interpersonal interactions
• Establishes & sustains effective communication pathways

Accountability

• Acts with integrity
• Contributes productively to group efforts
• Owns mistakes and uses them as constructive growth opportunities
• Effectively manages workload
• Delivers positive results

Initiative & Innovation

• 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.
• Nonprofit experience a plus
• 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

HOW TO APPLY

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