Animal Keeper - Elephant Department

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Union pay rates

200 PTO hours first year

Competitive benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is seeking an experienced Elephant Keeper to join the Elephant Department in Cincinnati, OH. The role focuses on daily care, behavioral management and long-term success of a multi-generational elephant herd.

Qualified candidates will have hands-on experience with protected contact management, operant conditioning, and behavior observation. The position is full-time with union pay scales and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years professional elephant care experience in the last 10 years.
• Experience working with elephants in a protected contact management system.
• Demonstrated experience with operant conditioning and positive reinforcement training.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily husbandry care including feeding, habitat maintenance, enrichment and behavioral observation.
• Participate in protected contact elephant management following safety protocols.
• Monitor elephant behavior and welfare and report abnormalities to supervisors and veterinary staff.
• Maintain clean and safe indoor and outdoor elephant facilities.
• Support exercise, enrichment and environmental management programs that promote natural behaviors.

Skills

Elephant care experience

Operant conditioning

Positive reinforcement training

Protected contact management

Teamwork

Education

Degree in Zoology/Biology/Animal Science or related field

Job description

Position:Animal Keeper - Elephant Department

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Job Id:1494

# of Openings:1

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is seeking an experienced Elephant Keeper to joinour AsianElephantProgram. This position plays a key role in the daily care, behavioral management, and long-term success ofa multi-generational, breedingelephant herd. The successful candidate will havesignificantexperiencewithprotected contact management,operant conditioning,behavioralobservationsand problem-solving.

Additionalconsideration will be given to candidates with hands-on experiencemanagingmultiple herds, bulls,introductions, andcalf management.We are looking for a highly motivated keeperwho excels at teamworkand opencommunication, andwhodemonstratesstrong situationalawareness and professionalismwhenworking with large animals.

• Union negotiated pay rates, with a starting hourly rate between $23.83 - $28.24 determined by years of field experience.
• 200 PTO hours accrued throughout the first year of service, 80 of which is loaded into the PTO bank upon hire
• Competitive benefit packages and retirement matching programs
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Facility culture that highlights the following core values:
  • Collaborative Relationships
  • Pride, Passion, and a Sense of Ownership
  • Positivity and Energy
  • Accountability, Mutual Trust, and Respect
  • Progressive Thinking
• Intentional professional development opportunities, for both animal care and "people” skills

Minimum Desired Qualifications:

Preferred candidates will have:

• Minimum 2 years professional elephant care experience in the last 10 years
• Experience working with elephants in a protected contact management system
• Demonstrated experience with operant conditioning and positive reinforcement training

Experience with the following is strongly preferred:

• Elephant introductions and herd management
• Breeding and reproductive management
• Calf care and development
• Elephant foot care and preventative medical training
• Behavioral observation and welfare monitoring
• EEHV monitoring or treatment protocols
• Degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience)
• Strong understanding of elephant behavior, husbandry, and safety practices
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet CZBG employment requirements
• Provide daily husbandry care including feeding, habitat maintenance, enrichment, and behavioral observation.
• Participate in a protected contact elephant management program following established safety protocols.
• Monitor elephant behavior and welfare and report abnormalities to supervisors and veterinary staff.
• Maintain clean and safe indoor and outdoor elephant facilities.
• Support exercise, enrichment, and environmental management programs that promote natural behaviors and activity.

Behavioral Training

• Participate in an operant conditioning program using positive reinforcement training.
• Train elephants to voluntarily participate in husbandry and veterinary procedures.
• Assistwith development and implementation of individual training plans.
• Maintain consistent communication with team membersregardingtraining progress and behavioral changes.

Management

• Assistin management of a multi-generational elephant herd, including monitoring social dynamics and compatibility.
• Participate in elephant introductions and social management under thedirectionof supervisors.
• Assistwith breeding management and reproductive monitoring in coordination with veterinary staff.
• Support calf rearing and maternal care management.
• Participate in husbandry and training programs that support calf development and socialization.
• Participate in preventative care practices including:
  • Foot care
  • Skin care
  • Blood collection and trunk washes
  • Behavioral medical training
  • Maintainaccuratedaily records related to husbandry, enrichment, behavior, and training.
• Work collaboratively with elephant team members, veterinary staff, and other animal care departments.
• Assistin training and mentoring interns, volunteers, and seasonal staff.
• Maintainstrong teamcommunicationregardingdaily operations and animal management.

Guest Engagement

• Participate in keeper chats, tours, and other educational programs.
• Represent the elephant program professionally when interacting with zoo guests.

Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; bend; climb or balance; lift, grasp; and negotiate stairs and ladders. In addition, the employee may be exposed to Zoonosis, chemicals, and outside weather conditions; Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance; must possess a valid driver’s license (and insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle).

PositionDetails: This is a full-time (40 hoursper week with benefits) Union keeper position, which is subject to the successful completion of a probationary and the deduction of union dues. This position requires weekend work with regular off-daysTBD. This is a4,10hr/day schedule.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden offers a comprehensive benefits package including affordable medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k) plan with company match; flexible spending accounts; generous paid time off (vacation,holidayand sick leave); company-paid disability & life insurance; park discounts and free passes.

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