Commissary Keeper

Maryland Zoo; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 days Paid Time Off (PTO)

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

Maryland Zoo is seeking a Commissary Keeper to prepare, deliver, and manage food supplies for all zoo departments. The role involves daily food preparation, general maintenance of the commissary area, and ensuring compliance with USDA standards.

Qualified candidates will have a high school diploma and a minimum of two years work history, preferably with an animal science background. The position requires lifting up to 75 pounds and working outdoors in various weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years stable work history.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to operate or be trained on large equipment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver food orders to animal areas.
• Operate manure removal equipment.
• Maintain cleanliness of work areas.
• Handle inventory and stock of food items.
• Communicate with staff regarding deliveries.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Skid steer

Back hoe

Meat saw

Computer

Radios

Job description

Commissary Keeper

Maryland Zoo is an EEO Employer - M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status

General Summary

The Commissary Keeper will prepare, deliver, store, and stock food, hay, supplies, purchased orders, and packages for all departments of the Zoo, as well as remove manure from all animal areas and keep the commissary areas clean and organized. Additionally, the Commissary Keeper will support the Zoo’s mission to save wildlife and protect wild places and contribute to its environmental, social, governance sustainability, conservation, education, and DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) goals.

Essential Functions

Primary Functions

• Prepare and deliver food orders to each animal area in the Zoo on a daily basis;
• Prepare and deliver supplies, packages, purchased items, and mail to all departments of the Zoo as needed;
• Pickup packages and mail from other departments in the Zoo as needed;
• Thaw frozen food items using department protocols to ensure food quality;
• Operate manure removal equipment and remove manure from all animal manure collection areas;
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of all work and stock areas throughout the commissary complex;
• Accept, inspect, unload, date all deliveries;
• Help to maintain appropriate inventory and stock of food items and supplies;
• Travel to outside vendors to pick up orders and grocery items;
• Maintain a working knowledge of USDA and AZA standards and ensure that all commissary buildings and work areas are in compliance;
• Maintain a working knowledge of company safety policies, procedures, and protocols;
• Observe all rules of safety that pertain to the position, including use of personal protective equipment, safe vehicular use, safe use of large equipment and meatsaws, and good lifting procedures;
• Perform regular quality assurance checks including testing of hay quality and monitoring of product freshness and checking expiration dates of stock on a regular basis;
• Perform general maintenance of Commissary buildings, equipment, and vehicles;
• Perform other duties as assigned; and,
• Adhere to all policies and procedures of the Zoo.

Communication (Internal and External)

• Utilize the phone, email, and radio to perform basic internal communications with other members of the Zoo staff;
• Communicate stock deficiencies, issues/problems with deliveries, and other concerns to Commissary manager; and,
• Communicate with other zoo staff regarding timeliness and completion of daily deliveries.

Management of Resources (Financial, Human Resources, Facilities)

• Accept, inspect, and appropriately stock all incoming deliveries; and,
• Complete daily logs and forms as required by department SOP.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience/Training

• Minimum of two years stable work history;
• Animal science background preferred, but not required;
• Valid driver’s license; and,
• Ability to operate large equipment or the ability to be trained on such equipment.

Traits Desirable

• Strong organizational and communications skills; and,
• Ability to handle non-routine tasks and adapt to changing circumstances.

Equipment

• Must be able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including computer, telephone, radio, vehicles, skid steer, back hoe, bob cat, golf cart, hand tools, meat saw, scales; etc.

Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of up to 75 pounds and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb and balance;
• Must be able to travel large areas of the Zoo as needed;
• Must be able to work in an outdoor weather environment in all seasons and weather, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays, and special events;
• Ability to be an essential staff member and report to work in all weather conditions;
• Exposure to zoonotic diseases and risk of animal attack;
• Exposure to potential environmental hazards such as poison oak/ivy, uneven terrain, insect bites/stings, and Hepatitis B depending on the position.

Benefits

• We offer an excellent benefits package including 24 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), Sick and Safe Leave, and 2 paid holidays.
• Eligible for medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) with employer match.

Disclaimer

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified. Therefore, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change.