Float Keeper B, California Trail

Oakland Zoo; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible spending account

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Zoo Membership options

Job summary

Oakland Zoo seeks an experienced Animal Keeper to support the ACCR team, covering strings at California Trail and caring for species including large carnivores and condors. The Float Keeper assists the primary keeper and takes on special projects as needed.

The role emphasizes animal welfare, safety, and collaboration with staff, volunteers, and guests, with on-site work and potential for varied shifts.

Qualifications

• Two years full-time or 4160 hours of captive wildlife care experience (AZA or GFAS facility preferred).
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Willingness to work outside normal hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Knowledge of hazards and safety when working with wild animals; willingness to manage physical risk with safety precautions.
• Medical requirements: negative TB test within 1 year, tetanus vaccine within 10 years.

Responsibilities

• Utilize observation, enrichment, and training tools to support animal psychological well-being.
• Assess physical and psycho-social needs; design steps to address them.
• Implement Zoo priorities and seek ways to improve practices.
• Guide and support junior staff and volunteers as needed.
• Represent the Zoo in public settings and in media engagements.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Inclusive Culture

Organization

Time management

Sustainability

Passion

Wildlife Aware

Education

Bachelor’s or specialized Associate degree

Job description

Full-time Description

Application Process

• Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should be one page and include details about the applicant's taxa experience, animal training experience, as well as knowledge of safety and emergency response and behavioral husbandry.
• Candidates not meeting minimum requirements may not receive a response.
• Applicants selected for candidacy are required to attend an on-site working interview.

Payrate: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the payrate for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $28.45 per hour. An offer at this rate will be our best and final compensation offer, in alignment with the Zoo's compensation philosophy.

Position Summary

Animal Keepers play a vital role on the ACCR team, taking care of the physical health and psychological well-being of the animals directly under their care. The Float Animal Keeper works across animal strings and has the opportunity to care for a variety of species at California Trail, including large carnivores, bison, and condors. This role will cover strings in the absence of the primary Animal Keeper(s) and will assist the primary keeper with duties and special projects as needed.

Essential Job Duties

• Use the tools of animal observation, enrichment, training and other management methods to ensure the best possible psychological well-being of the animals in their care
• Conduct ongoing assessment of their physical and psycho-social needs
• Design and implement steps to address these needs
• Implement Department/Zoo priorities as well as demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements
• Guide and support junior staff and volunteers as appropriate
• Represent the Zoo in a variety of public settings including press interviews, instructional classes and casual communication with Zoo guests
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned

Who You Are

• Minimum of 2 years full time or 4160 hours experience in the care of captive wildlife in the zoo field (preferably at an AZA or GFAS facility). This can include 1 year of unpaid experience.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Knowledge of the habits and hazards of working with wild, dangerous animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while observing proper safety precautions
• Medical requirements: negative TB test within the last year, tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years

Bonus if you have...

• Code red or dangerous animal experience
• Knowledge and experience in behavioral training theory and practical application
• Ability to inspire guests in casual (e.g., one on one) and formal (i.e., programs) venues to take action for conservation
• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology or a related field or a specialized Associate's degree (ex: Moorpark)

Work Environment

Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Work in indoor and outdoor environments in various weather conditions, sometimes in or around significant dirt and dust

Physical Considerations

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. (i.e., feed sack) and move a minimum of 120 lbs. (i.e., hay bale)
• Able to walk long distances on uneven terrain in variable environmental conditions (e.g., steep, muddy, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualities

– May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.

• Collaboration – builds trusting relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across our organization and community-wide and approaches differences of opinion with curiosity and humility.
• Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing
• Inclusive Culture - fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued.
• Organization – strong attention to details and able to build and/or maintain efficient systems
• Time management – strong capabilities with a demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple commitments
• Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of the Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department
• Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values at all times
• Wildlife Aware - understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at The Zoo, locally and globally. This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to take action for wildlife

Benefits

Oakland Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package, including Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Flexible spending account, Retirement plan, Paid time off, Employee Assistance Program, and Zoo Membership options.

Salary Description $28.45/hour