Lead Keeper - Desert Wilds

Living-Desert-DBA-the-Living-Deser; Palm Desert (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The Living Desert is seeking a Lead Keeper for the Desert Wilds Team within the Animal Care department. The Lead Keeper provides high-quality daily care, husbandry, and behavioral management for assigned animals, habitats, and facilities, and mentors staff while aligning with TLD’s vision and growth.

Responsibilities include leading projects, training staff, and ensuring safety and compliance with AZA and USDA standards. Weekend/holiday work and strong guest service skills are essential.

Qualifications

• AA, AS, or higher in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, or related field.
• At least one year of exotic animal experience preferred; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Valid California driver's license.
• COVID vaccination plus one booster required.
• Annual TB test with negative reading required.

Responsibilities

• Make sound decisions regarding animal, staff, and guest well-being while supporting the zoo’s mission.
• Work independently with minimal supervision and collaborate with the team.
• Demonstrate strong organization, time management, and multitasking in high-pressure situations.
• Communicate with Animal Care management about accomplishments, issues, and requests for information.
• Mentor and train Animal Care keepers, interns, volunteers, and new team members.
• Lead at least one major project annually as determined by Animal Care Management.

Skills

Animal care

Animal training

Public presentation

Driver license

Education

AA/AS or higher in Zoology/Biology/Animal Science

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Description

The Living Desert (TLD) is seeking qualified candidates to join our Animal Care department as a Lead Keeper on the Desert Wilds Team. The Animal Care Lead Keeper is a frontline position supporting Animal Care leadership, area staff, and animal residents. The Lead Keeper provides high-quality daily care, husbandry, and behavioral management for assigned animals, habitats, and facilities. The Lead Keeper also performs Animal Care Keeper duties and follows directions from Animal Care management. This position requires strong knowledge of husbandry and animal training, as well as the ability to lead, mentor, and serve as a role model for staff while supporting TLD’s shared vision and continued growth.

Position Summary:

Desert Wilds encompasses TLD’s Americas and Australia sections, including cougar, Mexican wolf, badger, coati, peccary, three large mixed-species aviaries, venomous and non-venomous reptiles, wallabies, and echidna, as well as the cheetah and patas monkey habitats. The Lead Keeper participates in animal husbandry, training, habitat renovation, staff training, and medical procedures and supports leadership in implementing Desert Wilds habitat management philosophies.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Make sound decisions regarding animal, staff, and guest well-being while supporting the greater good of the zoo and TLD’s mission and forward-thinking vision.
• Work independently with minimal supervision while remaining a cooperative, collaborative team member with strong guest service skills.
• Demonstrate strong critical thinking, flexibility, organization, time management, and multitasking skills, including the ability to manage interruptions, competing priorities, and high-pressure situations.
• Communicate honestly, proactively, and professionally with Animal Care management regarding accomplishments, issues, challenges, and requests for information.
• Serve as a liaison between Animal Care management and keeper staff as needed.
• Provide and receive constructive feedback and contribute to a positive workplace by addressing negative talk and speculation.
• Provide mentorship, training, and guidance to Animal Care keepers, interns, volunteers, and new team members, including routines, policies, procedures, organization, communication, and positive reinforcement training.
• Serve as a role model for safe, professional, and effective animal care practices and proactively identify opportunities to improve safety.
• Train staff on area SOPs and strings and ensure animal and staff training protocols are followed.
• Demonstrate knowledge of AZA accreditation and USDA standards and recognize and address inspection concerns with minimal guidance.
• Provide timely updates and recommendations for SOPs and protocols and respond promptly to emails, surveys, and questionnaires.
• Work safely with potentially dangerous animals using Two Key/Two Lock/Two Keeper and Lock Out Tag Out Engineering Control systems and work with venomous snakes and lizards following required on-site training.
• Remain calm and professional during unpredictable or high-pressure situations, including emergencies, personnel challenges, scheduling issues, and deadlines, and follow procedures through resolution.
• Deliver excellence in animal care, welfare, habitat presentation, and guest engagement.
• Regularly assess assigned animals’ training performance and work with keepers to achieve behavioral targets.
• Support Animal Care leadership with area projects and tasks, including supply ordering, animal procedures, programs, scheduling, and communication with other TLD staff.
• Lead at least one major project annually as determined by Animal Care Management.
• Consistently achieve above-average annual performance evaluations.
• Perform all duties outlined in the Animal Care Keeper job description.
• Meet Lead Keeper eligibility requirements by completing two years as an Animal Care Keeper or equivalent experience.

Requirements

Qualifications

• AA, AS, or higher in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, or related field and at least one year of exotic animal experience preferred; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Animal training and public presentation experience are a plus.
• Equivalent training and experience may substitute for education. Generally, one year of full-time exotic animal experience equates to one year of college.
• Valid California driver license.
• Must be insurable under The Living Desert’s automobile policy.
• COVID vaccination plus one booster required.
• Annual TB test with negative reading required.

Working Conditions

Essential Physical Tasks: Standing, walking, twisting, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching, and lifting up to 50 lbs.

Typical Conditions: Exposure to extreme heat, chemicals, dust, and airborne materials. Work with potentially dangerous animals, including large ungulates, carnivores, and venomous species.

Schedule: Weekend and holiday work required.

Travel: Conference and workshop attendance may be available with funding; some or all expenses may be covered.

This specification identifies the major responsibilities and requirements but is not all inclusive. Additional job-related responsibilities may be assigned.

Desert Conservation Through Preservation, Education, and Appreciation.