Encounters Keeper

Indianapolis Zoo; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking a part-time Encounters Keeper to engage guests with informative bird-related presentations and hands-on demonstrations. You will perform daily husbandry tasks for our bird collection and contribute to a safe, educational visitor experience year-round.

Ideal candidates have a strong public speaking ability, comfort with audiences, and prior experience with birds. This role requires weekend/holiday coverage and adherence to all Zoo safety policies.

Qualifications

• Excellent public speaking skills and ability to engage guests.
• Experience with birds (soft bill, psittacine, flamingos) is preferred.
• Strong customer service orientaion and comfort interacting with the public.
• Ability to work with a team in a dynamic zoo environment.
• Knowledge of safety policies and procedures for animal care facilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct informal presentations, chats, and feeds to visitors.
• Perform daily husbandry tasks for birds.
• Ensure health and well-being of collections in care.
• Provide outstanding customer service to guests.
• Follow safety policies and learn quarantine procedures as directed.

Skills

Public speaking

Bird care

Customer service

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Flamingos, Psittacine, Budgies, OH MY! From conducting informal presentations and behind the scenes tours with guests, to performing the daily husbandry tasks for our many species of birds, our part-time Encounters Keeper is always busy! The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking energetic individuals with exceptional public speaking skills to join our Encounters flock!

The ideal candidate is committed to advancing the Zoo's mission to protect nature and inspire people to care for our world. Having a professional attitude and appearance to visitors, volunteers, and co-workers is vital to the position as well as being a team-oriented individual that is temperamentally suited to work with the public and a variety of bird species. Prior experience working with soft bill, psittacine, and/or flamingo is highly desired. Prior experience with positive reinforcement and operant conditioning is a plus. This part-time (29 hours per week or less) position will work year-round. Weekends, holidays, overtime and/or varied shift work is required.

Position Requirements and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a Life Science area from an accredited college/university in life sciences is highly desired.
• Minimum of one (1) year of animal care experience preferably with birds.
• Comfortability conducting informal presentations, chats, and feeds to the public throughout the day.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
• Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs.
• Exceptional visual acuity is required, along with the ability to communicate, comprehend, and decipher information accurately, using a two-way radio.
• Interpretation responsibilities with mixed species aviaries and/or the flamingo yard.
• The ability to perform daily husbandry tasks and manual work involving the care and maintenance of the animals and exhibits under this position's care.
• Must possess exceptional public speaking skills and the ability to provide outstanding customer service to our guests.
• Directly responsible for health and well-being of the collections assigned to this position's care.
• Must follow all safety Policies and Procedures of the Indianapolis Zoo.
• Possible occupational exposure (Category B employee) to human bloodborne pathogens. Possible exposure to dangerous chemicals (e.g. chlorine bleach, cleaning agents, etc.) Must follow Universal Protection Precautions and Bloodborne Pathogens Guidelines.
• Will be required to learn and implement species quarantine procedures as directed by Assistant Curator.
• Prior work experience involving animal care is strongly preferred. College course work in a suitable animal-related field may be substituted for work experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree in a Life Science area from an accredited college/university in life sciences is strongly preferred.

Employment at the Indianapolis Zoo is contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment testing including a background check, motor vehicle check (if applicable) and a drug test.