Animal Keeper

Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation; Valdosta (GA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation is seeking a dedicated individual to oversee exhibit operations for the animal collection. You will handle animal husbandry, exhibit maintenance, and holding area management while supporting the development of an animal training program for public demonstrations.

The role involves documenting animal health, feeding, and behavior, and working with curators, supervisors, and zoo directors to ensure optimal habitats and facility care.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid Georgia Driver's License or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.
• Must be at least 18 years old; read, write, and speak English.
• Outdoor work in all weather; exposure to dust, odors, chemicals, and blood-borne pathogens.

Responsibilities

• Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
• Clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, exhibits, and equipment.
• Respond to questions from patrons and provide information about animals.
• Order, unload, and store feed and supplies.
• Collect and record animal information (weight, health, treatments, food intake).
• Observe children around animals to ensure safety.
• Install, maintain, and repair animal care facility equipment.
• Contribute to animal care and exhibit management with supervisors and directors.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication, Oral

Adaptability

Communication, Written

Applied Learning

Accuracy

Customer Oriented

Detail Oriented

Responsible

Relationship Building

Time Management

Self-Motivated

Job description

At HFE it is our goal to bring families closer together and to create memories worth repeating. Our Core Values – greatly exceeding guest expectations, serving others, creating emotional connections, and constantly improving – give us purpose and guidance. The position requires a dedicated individual who will take direction from the curator, area supervisor, Senior Biologist, and/or Director of Zoological Operations in carrying out all exhibit operations of the assigned animal collection, as well as other related projects and programs. This includes all aspects of animal husbandry, exhibit maintenance, and holding area management. This position will participate in and assist with the development of the animal training program, which will consist of behavioral demonstrations presented to the public on a scheduled basis by the trainers. Responsibilities will also include maintaining organized written records pertaining to animal health, feeding, and behavioral observations.

Essential Functions

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement

• Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
• Clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as nighthouses, exhibits, and stables, and equipment, such as shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows as needed ensuring compliance with Wild Adventure and USDA standards as a minimum.
• Respond to questions from patrons, and provide information about animals, such as behavior, habitat, breeding habits, or facility activities
• Order, unload, and store feed and supplies.
• Collect and record animal information such as weight, size, physical condition, treatments received, medications given, and food intake
• Observe and caution children petting and feeding animals in designated areas to ensure the safety of humans and animals.
• Install, maintain, and repair animal care facility equipment such as infrared lights, feeding devices, and cages.
• Contribute to the care and well-being of zoo animals. Working with supervisors, curators and zoo directors to determine the best way to house animals, identify exhibit or containment concerns, maintain their habitats and manage facilities.

Required Skills

Position Qualifications

Competency Statment(s)

• Analytical Skills - The Ability to be given direction, understand the direction, and achieve positive results by analyzing the situation, the materials given, and the tasks to be done.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Adaptability - Ability to adapt to change in the workplace.
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Applied Learning - Ability to participate in needed learning activities in a way that makes the most of the learning experience.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of the customers’ needs while following company procedures.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Responsible - Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct.
• Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with customers and co-workers.
• Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.
• Self-Motivated - Ability to be internally inspired to perform a task to the best of one’s ability using his or her own drive or initiative.

The position requires outdoor work in all weather conditions and in the presence of dust and odors. Team members are susceptible to exposure of various chemicals, bodily fluids, and blood-borne pathogens, and prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Required Experience

• Must have a valid Georgia Driver's License or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

N (Not Applicable)

Activity is not applicable to this position.

O (Occasionally)

Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently)

Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly)

Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Physical Demands

Lift/Carry

Stand

C

Walk

C

Sit

O

Manually Manipulate

C

F

Reach Above Shoulder

O

Climb

O

O

Squat or Kneel

C

C

10 lbs or less

C

11-20 lbs

C

21-50 lbs

C

51-100 lbs

F

Over 100 lbs

N

Push/Pull

12 lbs or less

C

13-25 lbs

C

26-40 lbs

F

41-100 lbs

O

Other Physical Requirements

Vision (Near, Distance, Color, Peripheral, Depth)

Sense of Sound - must hear at long-range

Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - googles, dusk musk, face shields, ear plugs, gloves

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.