Penguins Keeper- Seasonal

Indianapolis Zoo; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks energetic Seasonal Penguins Keepers to engage with guests and care for various penguin species. This role involves performing daily husbandry tasks, conducting presentations, and ensuring the health and well-being of the animals. Ideal candidates will have a passion for wildlife conservation and strong public speaking skills. Join a dedicated team at a renowned zoo, where your contributions will inspire visitors to appreciate and protect nature. This temporary position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with fascinating animals and educate the public about their care and conservation.

Qualifications

• Prior experience with animal care is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional public speaking skills and customer service are vital.

Responsibilities

• Conduct informal presentations and tours with guests.
• Perform daily husbandry and care for penguins.

Skills

Public Speaking

Animal Care

Customer Service

Teamwork

Positive Reinforcement

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences

Tools

Two-Way Radio

Job description

From their adorable waddle to their stylish tuxedos, the Indianapolis Zoo is on the hunt for energetic Seasonal Penguins Keepers to work with our variety of Penguin species! Our Seasonal Penguins Keepers are constantly on the move conducting informal presentations and behind the scenes tours with guests, performing the daily husbandry, and caring for our penguins.

Ideal candidates are 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 penguins, specifically cold/ sub-arctic species. Prior experience working with Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) and Southern Rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome) is strongly preferred. Prior experience with positive reinforcement and operant conditioning is a plus. This seasonal (40 hours per week) position will work from the months of May 1 to Nov. 1 with a pay rate of $13.00/ hr. Weekends, holidays, overtime and/or varied shift work is required.

Position Requirements and Experience:

• 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.
• 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.

To apply:

• Interested candidates must complete an online application.
• Interested applicants must include a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to be considered.

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.

Seniority level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Temporary

Job function

• Administrative
• Industries: Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos