Seasonal Alpaca Keeper

Blank Park Zoo; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent working environment

Opportunities for professional development

Job summary

A wildlife conservation facility in Des Moines, Iowa is seeking an Animal Keeper responsible for the care of alpacas and various animal species. The role includes ensuring animal welfare, conducting guest interactions, and collaborating with teams to uphold species conservation standards. Ideal candidates will demonstrate animal care skills, effective communication, and a commitment to customer service. This position offers a dynamic work environment and is crucial in engaging with our community visitors.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or GED, with preference for a degree in a related field.
• Experience with alpacas or other livestock is preferred.
• Effective communication skills are essential for guest interactions.

Responsibilities

• Provide husbandry care and maintain daily records for all animals.
• Conduct guest interactions and collaborate with multiple teams.
• Maintain grounds and assist in training volunteers and interns.

Skills

Animal care experience

Guest interaction

Team collaboration

Critical thinking

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Pursuing a degree in Biology or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Position Purpose

Under the direction of the Ambassador Animal Care Manager, this position will be responsible for the daily husbandry and care of the alpacas living in the Alpaca Acres exhibit as well as the Ambassador Animal collection, consisting of varied species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. This position is expected to conduct guest interactions for visitors of all ages. Additionally, the Animal Keeper supports our Zoo Mission which is to inspire an appreciation for the natural world through conservation, education, research, and recreation.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Provides husbandry needs of all animals in care by participating in daily cleaning and enclosure maintenance, diet, preparation, administering medications, feeding, training, and enrichment.
• Responsible for daily observation of animal health and welfare. Reports abnormal behavior and problems to area supervisor. Maintains accurate, daily records for animals in the collection.
• Works closely with area supervisor and veterinary staff to provide best possible care for the animals.
• Adheres to established animal handling and related safety protocols. Participates in established animal escape drills and procedures. Under the supervision of Rusty Stars Alpacas, understand and assist with the transport of alpacas.
• Assists in animal training, and recording of training notes for husbandry needs and programming use.
• Provides daily enrichment, help build/create new enrichment items, and record enrichment into daily log.
• Conducts guest interactions.
• Collaborates with animal care team, engagement team, and guest services team to achieve common husbandry, program and guest experience goals.
• Functions effectively in both team and individual settings, and works toward adopting and creating best animal welfare practices.
• Identifies and communicates with maintenance of repairs needed for the safety of animals, visitors and staff as well as overall upkeep of the facilities.
• Responsible for maintaining the grounds of public areas in Alpaca Acres.
• Works closely with, oversees, mentors, and supports volunteers and interns of all ages.
• Resourceful- Understanding of or can research all applicable topics as they relate to modern zoological management, operations of an attraction and customer service.
• Flexible – Ability to handle a flexible workload with a variety of assignments while also maintain composure in an environment that can be stressful.
• Independent – Must be able to operate independently, exercise initiative and demonstrate capacity for detail and follow-up.
• Positive – Must be a positive, effective team member and be able to establish professional working relationships.
• Communicator – Communicates clearly, both verbal and written. Effective listening skills.
• Critical Thinker – Ability to make decisions while under pressure or solve complex problems that arise daily.
• Innovative – Ability to propose solutions to areas of concern as related to animal care.
• Efficient – Ability to complete task in a thorough but quick manner.
• Customer-Oriented – Always exercises professional customer service skills. Interacts with many different types of people and situations.
• Team Player – Collaborates with area supervisor and team to achieve common husbandry goals.

Assists with supervisor of interns and volunteers.

Grounds/Maintenance/Animal Care

While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, walk on even terrain, climb, and utilize manual dexterity to use various tools, machines, and equipment. Most of the job tasks are completed inside. However, the incumbent is occasionally exposed to all types of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold, snow, hail, wind, and rain. Some work is required in small and/or confined spaces. Incumbents are exposed to noisy environments such as mowers and motors.

Physical Requirements

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

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly

Adjusting or moving objects up to 50 pounds in all directions.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Communicating with others to exchange information.

☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly

Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly

Operating machinery and/or power tools.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly

Driving.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling –

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Reaching with hands and arms.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Tasting or smelling.

☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly

Required education and experience

• Must have a high school diploma or GED. Preferred candidates should be working towards a degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Ecology or a related field.
• Preferred candidates should have experience working with alpacas, hoof stock, livestock or farm animals. Other animal care experience is preferred, but not required.
• Experience with interpretation or guest interactions is preferred, but not required.
• Experience with Microsoft office, Excel spreadsheets, and Google drive are strongly encouraged.

Additional eligibility requirements

• Must be able to maintain work hours that will serve the needs of the Blank Park Zoo.
• Must be able to maintain calm and act professionally in all situations such as emergencies and guest interactions.

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid motor vehicle license

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

Blank Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer and give employment and promotional consideration without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and any other protected class as required by local, state, or federal law. We seek applicants for employment who are dedicated, hardworking and seek fulfilling employment. In return Blank Park Zoo offers competitive income, benefits, and an excellent working environment.