Limited Duration: Animal Keeper - Primates (Part-Time)

Oregon Zoo Foundation; Oregon City (OR); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

The Oregon Zoo Foundation seeks a passionate part-time Animal Keeper for the Primates area. This role requires caring for various primate species, ensuring their well-being through observation, husbandry tasks, and maintaining high animal care standards. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in animal husbandry and communication skills.

Benefits

Free admission to the Oregon Zoo

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation

Flexible schedules

Qualifications

• Three years professional animal keeper experience with primates.
• Valid driver's license is required.
• Passion for animal care and conservation.

Responsibilities

• Observe and report on animal behavior and health.
• Feed animals and manage enrichment activities.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety of animal environments.

Skills

Animal husbandry practices

Strong communication skills

Teamwork

Behavior training

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or related subjects

Job description

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Position Summary

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Oregon Zoo has a reputation for leading groundbreaking research, participates in local and global conservation efforts, and strives to exceed AZA animal welfare standard. The zoo is also deeply committed to sustainability and conservation education. Thanks to a generous $380 million voter approved bond measure, the zoo is transforming into a game changing facility welfare, species and habitat conservation outcomes, and green building practices.

We are excited to provide an opportunity to join the team as a part-time, limited duration Animal Keeper in the Primates area. If you ‘re passionate about wildlife and have a deep interest in primates, this could be the perfect role for you. In this position, you’ll play a vital role in the care and well-being of primates, including chimpanzees, orangutans, gibbons, monkeys, lemurs, and other small mammals. As an Animal Keeper, you’ll be responsible for a variety of tasks, including daily husbandry activities and other essential duties that contribute to the health and enrichment of the animals in our care.

As The Animal Keeper - Primates You Will

• Observe animals to identify normal and abnormal behavior, reproductive behavior, eating habits, health problems, injuries, and adjustment to diet changes or response to medication. Identify and report concerns to supervisor; involvement in corrective actions.
• Stay up to date on current industry care standards for the designated species, including but not limited to feeding strategies, introduction methods, breeding and rearing practices, social management, training practices and strategies, and engaging enrichment.
• Utilize the principles of operant conditioning to facilitate daily husbandry, behavioral modification, and medical procedures.
• Service a variety of animal environments including cleaning and disinfecting holdings, yards, pools, and food and water receptacles.
• Check conditions of animal environments to assess security and safety for animals. Initiate corrective actions for deficiencies.
• Feed animals in a species-specific manner, report on consumption and recommend diet modifications as needed
• Instigate or provide suggestions for enrichment programs/items which demonstrate knowledge of designated species’ natural biology and individual animal needs; provide designated enrichment to species under care.
• Administer medications, as prescribed by veterinarians. Inform veterinarian and supervisor of response to medication or other treatments and address concerns as needed
• Perform or assist with general husbandry tasks, regularly communicate with supervisor regarding husbandry. May assist with capture, restraint, or segregation of animals for transfer or medical treatment.
• May be involved with developing materials for education purposes and presenting education materials to the public. Conduct informative and professional talks and tours through area of responsibility.
• Keep concise, objective records regarding diet, daily animal health and behavior, births, deaths and transfers.
• Maintain animal care standards and work in compliance with all USDA and AZA rules, regulations, and guidelines, as well as safety rules, OSHA standards, work rules, and Zoo and area policies and procedures
• Contribute to a positive team atmosphere thorough the daily coordination of work with colleagues, supervisors, gardeners, custodians, security, maintenance and other zoo staff
• Effectively communicate to managers, team members other zoo departments and guests.
  
  

Attributes for success

• Knowledge of animal husbandry practices for species under care
• Comfort and experience working with exotic and potentially dangerous animals in a safety-oriented work environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Contribute to a positive team atmosphere and contribute in a close, team-oriented environment.
• Ability to successfully train animal behaviors from inception through completion.
• Passion for animal care and conservation.
  
  

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three years professional animal keeper experience working with primates and
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or related subjects relevant to the care of zoo animals or
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.
  
  

Required

• Valid driver's license
  
  

Shift: The schedule will be tailored to meet operational needs, typically it will be Friday-Monday, 7am-12pm; 20 hours per week.

Limited Duration: Expected end date for this position is 6/30/2027 but could end earlier based on business needs.

Start Date: This position is currently under budget review and pending council approval. If approved, the selected candidate would begin in the role after July 1, 2025.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like To Have Qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• One year working with dangerous animals
• One year working with great apes
  
  

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A complete online application
• Responses to supplemental questions
  
  

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)
  
  

Compensation, Benefits And Representaton

The full-salary range for this position is step 1: $29.95 to step 5: $40.16 per hour. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $29.95 to the equity range step 3: $35.05 per hour.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by Liuna union. It is classified as an Animal Keeper.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Talent Acquisition Specialist: Megan Warneke

Email: [e-mail]

Additional Information

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How To Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.

Government Jobs

For assistance with your account or to reset your password please visit GovernmentJobs "Help and Support" page.

As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.

Family members, including eligible spouses, domestic partners, and children, are covered under most of our benefits programs. Benefits vary depending on position and full-time, part-time, and variable hour status.

This is a budgeted, regular status position with a full-time schedule. The position is eligible for these benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision health insurance
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation, holiday, and other leave
• Paid parental leave
• Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement
• No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
• Employee Assistance Program
• Training opportunities
• Flexible schedules depending on position and department
• Hybrid/Telework living in Oregon /Washington depending on position and department
  
  

Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.

Learn More About Employee Benefits.

Some positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.

View union contracts here.

01

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school diploma or GED
• Associate degree
• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• Doctoral or higher
• None of the above
  
  

02

Do you possess a valid driver’s license?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

How many years of experience do you have caring for primates?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year but less than 2 years
• 2 years but less than 3 years
• 3 years but less than 4 years
• 4 years but less than 5 years
• 5 years but less than 6 years
• More than 6 years
  
  

04

Do you have at least 1 year of working with dangerous animals?

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

Do you have at least 1 year working with Great Apes?

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

What is your experience regarding records in; animal health, behavior, diet, and other data are accurate and up to date?

• I have extensive experience maintaining detailed and accurate records, including animal health, diet, and behavior observations, and I use these records to inform care decisions.
• I have experience maintaining records, but I primarily follow established protocols and rely on senior staff to review the data.
• I am familiar with record-keeping practices but have not been responsible for maintaining detailed records in a professional setting.
• I have not been directly responsible for record-keeping but understand its importance in animal care.
  
  

07

Check off all the tasks you have experience in completing as it relates to this role.

• Performing daily care and husbandry tasks, including feeding, cleaning, and maintaining the well-being of primates such as chimpanzees, orangutans, gibbons, monkeys, lemurs, and other small mammals.
• Designing and implementing enrichment items to enhance the welfare and mental stimulation of animals.
• Administering prescribed medications, observing animals for health changes, and communicating findings with veterinarians and supervisors.
• Overseeing the upkeep and cleaning of animal areas, keeper areas, and related facilities.
• Maintain animal care standards and work in compliance with all USDA and AZA rules, regulations, and guidelines.
• Maintaining accurate records on animal health, behavior, diet, inventory, and conservation data, and making recommendations for care adjustments.
• Utilize the principles of operant conditioning to facilitate daily husbandry, behavioral modification, and medical procedures.
• I have no experience completing any of these tasks.
  
  

08

Check Off All The Animals Have You Worked With

• Chimpanzees
• Orangutans
• Gibbons
• Monkey
• Lemurs
• Gorillas
• Bonobo
• Baboon
• Mongoose
  
  

09

Provide your experience working with dangerous species, and how you helped to maintain the safety of the staff, the public, and the animals in question.

10

Provide your experience using positive reinforcement training with exotic animals. What species and what specific behaviors did you train, what were the outcomes, and how did it impact animal wellbeing?

Required Question

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Part-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

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