Bird Department Zookeeper

SupportFinity™; Royal Oak (MI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

SupportFinity™ is seeking a Bird Department Zookeeper in Royal Oak, Michigan. The role involves caring for birds, ensuring their well-being, and conducting educational presentations.

Ideal candidates have a degree in zoology or related field, with experience in bird care. The position requires excellent problem-solving and communication skills, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in care and management of birds required.
• Ability to remain calm and follow instructions.
• Must lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care including feeding and training for birds.
• Perform routine maintenance for bird exhibits.
• Communicate maintenance needs to supervisor.
• Conduct educational presentations.

Skills

Ability to work with animals

Excellent problem-solving skills

Excellent communication skills

Excellent time management skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in zoology or related discipline

Associate's degree in related discipline

Job description

General Description

The Bird Department Zookeeper provides care, feeding, enrichment and training for birds to ensure their well-being and contributes to outstanding guest experiences by ensuring that bird exhibits are properly maintained.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide daily care, including but not limited to feeding, enrichment, and operant conditioning training for birds.
• Perform routine exhibit maintenance including mowing, trimming, and other routine maintenance activities.
• Observe and document physical condition and behavior of animals.
• Inspect facilities to ensure safety and security.
• Capture and restrain animals as needed.
• Clean animal enclosures and other exhibit areas.
• Assist with artificial incubation and hand-rearing.
• Monitor animal social conditions and situations.
• Monitor feather‑clipping schedules and make recommendations to supervisor when clipping is needed.
• Develop and submit enrichment practices to Behavioral Husbandry Team.
• Design, construct, and provide enrichment devices to animals.
• Provide medical treatments as prescribed by the veterinarians.
• Communicate needs for maintenance department work requests to supervisor.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
• Maintain records, inventories and other information and provide written and verbal reports as required.
• Conduct educational presentations in both formal and informal settings.
• Train new staff as required.
• Train and supervise interns.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: A bachelor's degree in zoology or a closely related discipline and two years of experience in the care and management of birds.
• OR: An associate's degree in a related discipline and four years of experience in the care of captive wildlife, two of which include the care and management of birds.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to work with animals and to remain calm in strenuous circumstances.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Excellent time management skills.

Working Conditions

Work is performed indoors and outdoors with exposure to all seasonal weather conditions, with frequent exposure to and contact with dangerous animals, with risk of zoonotic disease transmission (Hepatitis B, Herpes B, Tuberculosis, Salmonella and others), and with exposure to computer monitors. Evening work may be required.

Physical Requirements

The Bird Department Zookeeper must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds. The individual must have the ability to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily with or without accommodations. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Just as we value and celebrate biodiversity, the DZS celebrates the diversity of our human community. We are committed to ensuring that our programs and facilities are fully accessible to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all.