Elephant Keeper

Atlanta-Fulton County Zoo; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoo Atlanta’s Elephant Team seeks Keeper I–III to care for African elephants and related species in the Mammals Department. Responsibilities include animal welfare, training, enrichment, habitat maintenance, and keeping logs for records and education programs.

The Keeper I–III will report to area managers and may serve as a point person in their absence. Requirements include prior elephant or exotic animal care experience, ability to follow instructions, and proficiency with computers;

Qualifications

• Prior elephant experience or related exotic animal care required.
• Experience with operant conditioning and enrichment strongly preferred.
• Ability to follow written/verbal instructions, manage stress, and solve problems.
• Computer proficiency to complete job functions.
• Keeper I–III requires related experience; AZA facility preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a high level of animal care and welfare.
• Participate in training, enrichment, research, and education.
• Monitor health and behavior; report changes to supervisor and veterinary staff.
• Oversee administration of medications as applicable.
• Write daily reports, logs, and animal records; maintain records.
• Coordinate and supervise interns and volunteers.
• Work independently and support safety protocols.
• Be flexible with hours, weekends, and holidays.

Skills

Operant conditioning

Enrichment techniques

Computer proficiency

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Four-year degree in biology, psychology, or related field

Tools

Light power tools

Job description

Job Title: Elephant Keeper I, II or III (depending on experience)

Department: Mammals

Reports to: Lead Keeper and Curatorial Staff

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Job Status: Full-time

Zoo Atlanta’s Elephant Team, part of the Mammal Department, currently cares for 2.2 African elephants and meerkats. In 2019, Zoo Atlanta opened the new African Savanna, which includes a state-of-the-art elephant facility and an expanding elephant program. Animal keepers are responsible for animal welfare and husbandry, including training and enrichment. Additionally, animal keepers are responsible for maintenance of habitats, holdings, and public areas as assigned. The Keeper I, II, and III will report to the area managers and should be willing to serve as a possible point person in the absence of managers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, SKILLS, AND RESPONSIBILITES:

• Must be willing to support Zoo Atlanta’s strategic plan, mission and values, and work with all zoo staff to support these plans.
• Maintain a high-performance level of excellent animal care.
• Participate in and support collaborative efforts pertaining to the care of the collection including training, enrichment, research, and education.
• Complete behavioral management training provided by Zoo Atlanta and utilize operant conditioning and enrichment techniques.
• Complete animal welfare training provided by Zoo Atlanta, participate in animal welfare assessments, and contribute to follow-through on animal welfare action items when necessary.
• Effectively monitor health and behavior of the animal collection and communicate changes to supervisor and veterinary staff. Oversee administration of medications as applicable.
• Actively support and implement area policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure the highest standards of care for the collection and the safety of staff and guests.
• Maintain the highest level of safety in the work area through implementation of safety protocols and procedures.
• Use positive interpersonal skills to form and maintain professional relationships within the work environment.
• Maintain a high-performance level of guest interactions including scheduled on-ground talks.
• Takes action to advance and promote department function and productively motivates others to do the same.
• Highly proficient at communicating with supervisory staff and co-workers both written and orally.
• Write daily reports, logs, animal records, and other records as assigned and serves as a resource for effective record keeping.
• Demonstrates the ability to coordinate and supervise activities of interns and volunteers.
• Actively assists others in expanding and developing their job knowledge.
• Must be able to work independently.
• Responsible for special projects, procedures, and goals set forth by the area managers.
• Demonstrates the ability to meet challenges with a solution-oriented approach.
• Must be dependable and reliable: be timely, be responsive, be organized, meet deadlines, take responsibility, and help other zoo staff as needed.
• Promote communication and information sharing between the zoological community.
• Employees must strive to decrease our environmental footprint to serve as models to our patrons to do the same through education and example.
• Must be able and willing to work flexible hours, weekends, and holidays.
• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; therefore, the employee may be required to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior elephant experience and/or related exotic animal care experience is required.

• Experience with operant conditioning and enrichment techniques is strongly preferred.

• Must have the ability to: demonstrate focus, follow written verbal instructions, effectively promote organization, manage stress to perform the job effectively, remember details, manage time effectively, apply critical thinking techniques, analyze, and solve problems.

• Demonstrate computer proficiency to complete the functions of this position.

• Must be able to use light power tools after suitable training.

• Keeper I

  • Prior elephant experience and/or related exotic animal care experience is required. Paid experience at an AZA accredited facility is preferred.

• Keeper II

  • Prior elephant experience and/or related exotic animal care experience is required.
  • A minimum of 3 years prior related, paid animal care experience is required. Paid experience at an AZA accredited facility is preferred.

• Keeper III

  • Prior elephant experience and/or related exotic animal care experience is required.
  • A minimum of 5 years prior, related, paid animal care experience is required. Paid experience at an AZA accredited facility is greatly preferred.

EDUCATION:

• Four-year degree in biology, psychology, or related field is preferred; sufficient relevant experience will be considered.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:

• Must obtain and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license with a safe driving record.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions and have the physical ability to routinely perform strenuous work.
• After being properly trained, all keepers working with, or around dangerous animals must be able to carry and utilize OC spray.

MISC:

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Therefore, the employee may be required to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or other management. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties as business requirements dictate. It is mutually agreed that this job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Zoo Atlanta is an EOE and provides a Smoke-free and Drug-free Work Environment