Lead Zookeeper - INTERNAL

City of Atascadero; Atascadero (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Atascadero seeks a Lead Zookeeper for the Central Coast Zoo, a small AZA-accredited facility. This working keeper position includes supervisory duties, advanced animal care, veterinary liaison, and project leadership within zoo operations.

The role requires leadership in daily duties, strong animal husbandry skills, and the ability to coordinate with the Director and external zoos. Bachelor’s in Life Science preferred; some licensing may be required.

Qualifications

• Requires supervision of keeper staff and leadership of crew.
• Bachelor's degree in Life Science preferred; registration/licensing may be required.
• Experience in zoo operations, animal husbandry, and medical record keeping encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct animal care and monitor behavior and health.
• Supervise keeper staff and coordinate with Zoo Director.
• Oversee exhibit maintenance and safety of public areas.
• Lead training and enrichment for animals; coach peers.
• Assist veterinary staff with routine medical care and records.
• Coordinate animal shipping and licensing paperwork with other zoos.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Zoo management

Animal care oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Science (biology, zoology, ecology) preferred

Tools

Global 360 Software

Job description

The City of Atascadero is excited to announce a recruitment for a

LEAD ZOOKEEPER - INTERNAL ONLY

This is an internal recruitment only.

Come build your career on California’s beautiful Central Coast

— where meaningful zoo work meets an exceptional quality of life.

The Central Coast Zoo is a small, 5-acre AZA accredited zoological facility located in and managed by the City of Atascadero, which is a beautiful California central coast community located in San Luis Obispo County. We have a population of 30,000 residing in an area just under 27 square miles. Our community is a great place to live, work and raise a family! We are situated along Highway 101, halfway between the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The community is located in the Paso Robles wine region and is a short 20-minute drive to the beach and Highway 1. We are within a three-hour drive to Yosemite National Park and two hours to Monterey or Carmel. For those that enjoy the outdoors, we are close to four local lakes, a national forest and endless hiking and biking trails.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

To perform highly skilled work in a variety of areas which include maintenance of exhibits, guest services, animal records and operations of daily zoo business. This position is a working keeper position with added specific job responsibilities. This position performs supervisory duties and highly specialized maintenance, animal husbandry, and the completion of zoo projects. Performs a variety of administrative, technical and supervisory work related to zoo operations which include Vet Tech duties; Registrar duties; ordering; coordinating animal shipping with other zoos; and other administrative duties. Performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled exhibit improvement and maintenance work; and operates and maintains automotive and/or specialized equipment related to assignment. Positions in this classification are assigned to a leadership role and are responsible for the successful completion of specialized work projects and routine assignments. This job class requires the application of highly specialized knowledge and skill in one or more areas and functions at a journey level zookeeper classification.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the limited supervision of the Director within a framework of policies and procedures. Positions in this class may work independently on established tasks or in assigned areas of responsibility.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervises and monitors the work of zoo employees as well as temporary, volunteer or non-City employees in the accomplishment of specific projects as assigned in a lead capacity. Works in conjunction and coordination with other Lead Zookeeper(s) and Zoo Director. Allocates animal care job tasks and job resources. Demonstrates leadership behaviors, provides coaching, and is responsible for keeper team performance.

The duties and responsibilities listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides direct animal care daily, including monitoring of all animals in the zoo, observing and recording animal behavior and condition for illness, compatibility, imminent birth and other signs reflecting the animals’ well-being; and reporting abnormalities to the Director and/or veterinary staff.
• Assists Zoo Director with supervision of keeper staff
• Supervises routine maintenance of exhibit areas, public areas of the zoo and prescribed “off exhibit” areas.
• Makes suggestions for exhibit modification and reviews suggestions with Director.
• Leads training and enrichment process.
• Demonstrates and coaches peers in appropriate capture and restraint techniques.
• Assists the veterinarian and administrative staff in the diagnosis, treatment and extended care of sick or injured animals, such as the administration of medication and daily care including normal daily feeding and cleaning routines.
• May maintain animal records and inventory on Global 360 software system, with training.
• Maintains animal records pertinent to animal history, health, breeding, diet and behavior.
• Assists Director with development of portions of annual zoo budget, inventory of supplies and feeds, orders supplies as needed.
• Coordinates with personnel from other agencies and zoos on the transfer of animals; including coordinating shipping and preparing all licensing and other paperwork needed to complete the transfer.
• May include duties as Licensed Veterinary Technician for the zoo.
  • Advises with surgery, radiology, and treatment of animal patients; maintains animal medical records and treatment logs (examples: anesthesia, radiology, drugs, etc.), as required; maintains and cares for treatment room supplies and equipment.
  • Advises on the safe handling of in-coming and out-going animals to the Zoo.
  • Performs exam room preparation.
  • Assists in: Examinations, filling prescriptions, administration of injections, prepping surgery animals including gas anesthesia, surgery, dental cleaning, radiology, drawing blood samples and sterilizing instruments and packs.

• Makes animal care decisions and supervises daily operations in the absence of the Director.
• Assists Zoo Director with implementation of collection plan.
• Performs a variety of skilled maintenance and repair work.
• Reviews the needs of the department with the Director.
• Identifies problems in emergency situations; develops a plan or solution following prescribed policies or procedures.
• Ensures exhibits meet quality presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance.
• Consistently communicates critical information to Director and staff.
• May assist with zoo capital projects.
• Ensures all regulating standards are met.
• Ensures consistent operating practices and holds staff accountable for their performance.
• Ensure the adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.
• Assist the Zoo Director in developing and installing administrative procedures and operations related to programs and to evaluate their efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coordinates and participates in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities, and provides staff leadership on achieving these goals and objectives.
• Establish strong cooperative working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Exercise strong judgment, discretion, prioritization and time management skills.

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from a standard senior high school or GED equivalent, and
• Minimum four (4) years of experience and above-average job performance in a zoo, wildlife park, or closely related activity,

or

• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience to sufficiently demonstrate the knowledge and abilities necessary for the satisfactory performance of the job.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Life Science (biology, zoology, ecology) is preferred.
• Registered Veterinary Technician license may be required.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to supervise the work of other employees;