Animal Keeper II

Association Of Zoos & Aquariums; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a renowned zoo committed to wildlife conservation. As an Animal Keeper II or Senior Keeper for primates, you will play a vital role in caring for diverse species while engaging with the public. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work with a collaborative team, contributing to conservation efforts and animal welfare. With a focus on professional development and a supportive environment, you will thrive in a role that combines passion for animals with meaningful work. Experience the beauty of Salt Lake City while making a difference in the lives of animals and visitors alike.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Retirement Contribution

Relocation Allowance

Vacation Days

Sick Days

Paid Holidays

Employee Discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in animal care, especially with exotic animals.
• Ability to maintain accurate animal records and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily care of animals and maintain cleanliness in exhibit areas.
• Monitor health and behavior of animals and communicate changes.

Skills

Animal Care

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's Degree in Animal Care

Bachelor's Degree in Related Field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, Certified Related Facilities, Commercial Members, Conservation Partners and Society Partners may post free unlimited online job listings as a member benefit. Non-members can purchase job listings. How to post a job

Interested in a career in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums? Learn more about types of zoo and aquarium jobs and relevant education programs in our career center .

Utah's Hogle Zoo

Creating Champions for Wildlife. At the zoo we look for employees who are passionate about conservation, who approach their daily work with a can-do attitude, who are resourceful, who communicate respectfully with everyone, and are ready to work hard to support the zoo’s mission of creating champions for wildlife by making connections between people and animals to inspire action.

POSITION SUMMARY

FULL TIME ANIMAL KEEPER II or Senior Keeper-PRIMATES—Area collection includes Western lowland gorillas, Bornean orangutans, Robust Black and Central American spider monkeys, Black howler monkeys, Bolivian Grey titi monkeys, and Guereza colobus. Performs daily care of exotic and/or domestic animals, cleaning, and maintaining guest areas, service areas, holding areas and exhibit areas. Maintains extensive animal records relating to health, diet, behavior and overall welfare. Supports Utah’s Hogle Zoo’s conservation efforts. This is an hourly position.

The Primate team is supportive and collaborative with exciting things on the horizon including expecting a baby orangutan this summer and updated Primate facilities included in our master plan. Keeper skills we are specifically looking for include:

• Seeing untapped potential or possibilities and identifying the need for improvement or change
• Generating novel and innovative ideas or solutions
• Seeing patterns/trends and using intuition to assess and refine ideas or solutions

At the zoo we look for employees who are passionate about conservation, who approach their daily work with a can-do attitude, who are resourceful, who communicate respectfully with everyone, and are ready to work hard to support the zoo’s mission of creating champions for wildlife by making connections between people and animals to inspire action.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

This position reports directly to the assigned Animal Care Supervisor.

ABOUT UTAH’S HOGLE ZOO

For over 90 years, Utah’s Hogle Zoo has been a loved and trusted part of the community. Located within Salt Lake City proper, the Zoo is nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountain range at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. The Zoo spans over 42 acres and is home to a diverse collection of animals. Be a part of the Zoo as we update our master plan with a focus on the renovation of our Small Animal Building and our Primate facilities. Make your contribution to a rich tradition of elevated behavior husbandry, guest engagement, professional development, and top animal wellbeing.

Being only minutes from both a vibrant downtown and national wilderness area, Salt Lake City is a dream for cultural aficionados and outdoor enthusiasts alike. This city has it all from professional sports teams, theater, cultural attractions, universities, nightlife, and many green spaces. From mountain ranges to deserts, Utah is home to five National and 45 State parks.

If all of this sounds exciting to you, then come and excel with us at Utah’s Hogle Zoo!

Experience Required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Keeper I, Keeper II, and Senior Keeper)Must be dependable and reliable: be timely, be responsive, be organized, meet deadlines, take responsibility, and help other Zoo staff as needed.Must be willing to work flexible hours, weekends, and holidays; overtime as requested.Effectively monitor health, behavior, and overall welfare of assigned resident animals and communicate changes to the supervisory team and/or veterinary staff. Administer medications as prescribed.Maintain accurate animal records.Clean and maintain holding and exhibit areas consistent with established professional standards.Coordinate area schedule of husbandry and building maintenance tasks.Develop, revise and update area protocols and checklists in a timely manner.Ensure compliance with USDA regulations.Apply animal training and enrichment techniques to improve the health and welfare of the animal collection and to meet program needs.Ensure inspection of exhibits and surrounding areas – report and follow up on safety concerns and needed repairs.Actively support and implement area procedures to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, guests, and animals.Participate in and support collaborative efforts pertaining to the care of assigned animals including training, enrichment, research, and education.Demonstrate the ability to perform a variety of jobs and flexibility in working in a variety of areas and routines.Train fellow keepers, volunteers, and interns; oversees daily activities of assigned area interns and volunteers.Make minor repairs to exhibits and enrichment devices.Demonstrate the ability to educate and engage donors and guests through animal presentations, media, and tours.Commitment to the zoo’s mission and participate in Champions for Wildlife activities.Maintains strict confidentiality.Performs other duties as assigned.Keeper II: In addition to the above, duties and responsibilities may also include:Eligible to work with dangerous animals.Work night shifts on a rotational basisServe on internal committees.Senior Keeper: In addition to the above, duties and responsibilities may also include:Process and receive animal food and deliveriesWork night shifts on a rotational basis.Prepare, organize and participate in animal shipments.Mentor Animal Attendants and Animal Keepers in their professional development. This includes topics such as: exhibit enhancement, USDA, behavioral husbandry, animal welfare, etc.Teaching and supporting the Capture and Restraint Class.Ability to be point of contact for an area in the absence of an Animal Care SupervisorAbility to take initiative and address issues as they arise.Perform animal welfare assessments.Would be eligible for participation as an AZA IR, SSP and studbook management and other external committees, at the approval of the Zoo and AZA.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES NEEDEDEducation and ExperienceKeeper I: GED or High School Diploma is required; Associates or Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred. Paid experience working with exotic animals preferred.Keeper II: GED or High School Diploma is required; Associates or Bachelor’s degree in related field is preferred. A minimum of 2 years of full-time equivalent paid experience in animal care is required (preferably in an AZA facility) and/or combination of education and experience in an applied zoo keeping-focused program. In addition to completing the Keeper I requirements, the candidates:Have demonstrated the capacity to work with animals safely.Make sound and safe decisions in the absence of detailed instructions.Have completed internal animal training courses (including 10 assigned San Diego animal care modules) - External candidates must complete this course work within 6 months of hiring.Provide accurate and informative interpretations of animals to guests by performing formal and informal discussions and/or tours.Senior Keeper: GED or High School Diploma is required; Associates or Bachelor’s degree in related field is preferred. A minimum of 8 years of full-time paid experience in animal care is required (preferably in an AZA facility) and/or combination of education and experience in an applied zoo keeping-focused program. In addition to completing the Keeper II requirements, the candidates must:Have demonstrated initiative in taking on new tasks and responsibilities within department and aiding other departments.Have demonstrated the ability to foster constructive attitudes and positively influence collaboration and teamwork.Have demonstrated the ability to work safely in a variety of areas with minimal training.Have demonstrated high level of problem solving and critical thinking skills.Possess the characteristics of an Animal Care professional demonstrating competence, professionalism, teamwork, mutual respect and commitment to the mission of the Zoo.Have demonstrated leadership and mentoring to less experienced team members.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES NEEDED FOR EACH POSITIONRequired technical skills include the knowledge and ability of:Basic computer operations.Microsoft Office Suite.Required mathematical skills include working knowledge of:Mathematical concepts and logic.Basic mathematical formulas and calculations.Required animal care skills include working knowledge of:UHZ behavioral husbandry concept, technique and application within first 90 days.Animals’ natural behavior and husbandry practices.Animal welfare standards and UHZ’s methods of assessment.USDA regulations.AZA standards.Basic procedures for safely operating hand tools, vehicles, and equipment.Must possess excellent communications skills including (verbally and in writing):Interpersonal conflict resolution methods.Editing and proofreading.Interacting with courtesy, professionalism and respect to staff, volunteers, and guests.Must have the ability to:Apply critical thinking techniques, analyze and solve problems.Function as a team player, showing trust and mutual respect for all members on the team.Ability to effectively promote organization.Accept and apply constructive feedback.Have difficult conversations.Learn new tasks.Follow written and verbal instructions.Prioritize work; manage time effectively and minimize the use of overtime to perform work within deadlines.Stay focused despite interruptions.Manage stress to perform the job effectively.Remember details.Maintain UHZ certification in the use of a fire extinguisher.Learn how to use and carry bear spray.Pass a safety check to swim and tread in cold water.OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH POSITIONUtah’s Hogle Zoo is a drug-free workplace. All employees are subject to random drug testing.Provide a negative TB test prior to hire date and maintain TB testing through course of employment.A current driver’s license is required.WORK ENVIRONMENTThe incumbent performs in an outdoor environment, exposure to the seasonal elements, dust, and allergens for prolonged periods of time. Tasks require a variety of physical activities, which generally involve muscular strain. Eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions. Must be able to listen and respond to a portable radio. Ability to stoop, bend, twist, turn, climb, jump, run when necessary, and move quickly to avoid dangerous situations. Must be able to walk on wet and uneven surfaces. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. unassisted and 75 lbs. with assistance. Must be able to push and pull up to 53 lbs.Utah’s Hogle Zoo is committed to including everyone in the zoo experience. Utah’s Hogle Zoo is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all Federal, State, and local laws in practice, and in the spirit of those requirements. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment for all employees, volunteers, and guests of the Zoo.Rocky ShoresPull Force up to 48 lbs.Push Force up to 53 lbs.Lift up to 57 lbs.African SavannaPull Force up to 25 lbs.Push Force up to 34 lbs.Lift force up to 79 lbs.Asian Highlands/LionsPull Force up to 39 lbs.Push Force up to 46 lbs.ApesLift Force up to 18 lbs.

PERKS Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and other supplemental insurance. The Zoo is a part of the Utah Retirement System and makes a 10% contribution to an employee’s retirement. This includes an additional opportunity to make contributions to a 401K plan within URS. $3000 relocation allowance for qualifying new employees. Vacation days: New employees accrue up to 13 days annually of vacation time. Sick days: New employees accrue up to 10 days annually of sick time. Nine paid holidays in the year. Employee Assistance Program for employees and their families paid for by the Zoo. Employee long-term disability insurance paid for by the Zoo. Various employee reimbursements and contributions including wellness activities and professional development. Every employee receives a free Zoo Card that allows admission to the employee and up to 5 guests. It also provides free carousel and train rides, as well as free admittance to ZooLights and BooLights. 50% discount on concessions and 33.3% discount on gift shops items. Tickets at Work membership, which provides discounts and offers on theme parks, shows, sporting events, and travel.

Utah's Hogle Zoo
2600 Sunnyside Ave
Salt Lake City , UT 84108
Phone: [phone]
Fax: www.hoglezoo.org