Bird Department Zookeeper

Detroit Zoo

Royal Oak (MI)

On-site

USD 40,000 - 56,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Short and long term disability

Life insurance

Flexible spending

Employee assistance program

Paid time off

Referral and retention bonuses

Zoo membership and guest tickets

In-park merchandise discounts

Event discounts

Job summary

The Bird Department Zookeeper at the Detroit Zoo provides care, feeding, enrichment and training for birds, ensuring their well-being and delivering outstanding guest experiences by maintaining bird exhibits.

Responsibilities include daily bird care, exhibit maintenance, safety inspections, and documenting animal conditions. The role also involves training staff and interns, and contributing to enrichment and educational programs for visitors.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

Provide daily care, including 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 lead keeper or 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.

Skills

Bird care

Animal handling

Observation skills

Communication

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in zoology

Associate degree in related discipline with 4 years in care of captive wildlife

Job description

The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) is a nonprofit organization operating the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center. Together, our team makes a significant impact, and every role is essential to move our mission forward. Employees are exposed to an atmosphere like no other. Our unmatched scenery will brighten your day as you make a difference for people, animals and the natural world.

Are you passionate about customer service and igniting positive change? Join our guest relations team! Applicants will be contacted by a hiring manager with details about the available positions and group interview dates.

Position:Bird Department Zookeeper

Location: Detroit Zoo

8450 W. 10 Mile Rd.

Royal Oak, MI

Job Id:752

# of Openings:1

Bird Department Zookeeper

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 lead keeper or 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' experience in the care and management of birds.

OR: An associate degree in a related discipline and four years experiences 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.

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.

The Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center are located in the heart of metro Detroit. With no shortage of cultural, arts and community spaces, a thriving dining and entertainment scene and award-winning school districts close by, you are sure to find your home here.

Perks and Benefits

Working at the DZS has its perks! Not only will you join a passionate team that takes pride in conservation, sustainability, and animal well-being, but you will also enjoy a competitive and robust benefits package.

Full-Time