Senior Zoo Keeper

The City of El Paso Texas; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of El Paso Texas is seeking a Lead Zookeeper to supervise the zoo's keepers and oversee daily animal care. You will lead a team responsible for feeding, cleaning, enclosure maintenance, and safety protocols.

Responsibilities include monitoring animal health, assisting veterinary staff, and implementing enrichment programs and behavior modification. Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED and two years of zookeeper experience, plus a Texas Class C driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED or higher, and two years of zookeeper experience.
• Licenses: Valid Texas Class C Driver's License by appointment date.
• General Purpose: Lead zookeepers and participate in the care of zoo animals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and provide for the care of zoo animals.
• Prepare, feed, and monitor diets; clean cages and exhibits.
• Monitor animal health and assist with medications.
• Assist with behavior modification and enrichment programs.
• Provide assistance to staff and public; guide others in work processes.
• Schedule and train less experienced staff; assign and review work.

Skills

Leadership

Animal care

Team supervision

Education

High School Diploma or GED or higher

Tools

Driver's License (Texas)

Job description

MOS CODE: NONE
Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED or higher, and two (2) years of zookeeper experience.

Requirements
MOS CODE: NONE
Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED or higher, and two (2) years of zookeeper experience.
Licenses and Certificates: Valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent from another state by the date of appointment.
General Purpose
Under general supervision, lead the work of zookeepers and participate in the care of zoo animals.
Typical Duties
Oversee and provide for the care of zoo animals. Involves: Preparing regular and special diets to feed animals. Feed and water animals. Clean, disinfect, and maintain cages, enclosures, and exhibit areas as needed. Maintain the safety of animals. Monitor animal health and well-being. Report animal illness or injury to the appropriate staff. Assist veterinary staff with the administration of medications, providing treatment, and restraining. Provide care for animals by trimming beaks, nails, and wing feathers, providing moisture for turtles, reptiles, birds, etc., shearing sheep, weighing animals, and other care services as needed, and record animal information such as temperature and consumption in charts. Perform special projects and activities as assigned.
Assist with behavior modification and enrichment programs
Involves: Assists with the design of behavior modification and enrichment programs. Utilize a system of rewards to condition animals to do things on command. Provide animals with things to play with to relieve stress and boredom. Provide exercise for animals as needed.
Provide assistance to other zoo staff and to the public
Involves: Identifying maintenance problems and resolving or reporting as necessary. Prepare work orders for maintenance. Assist with grounds and landscaping maintenance and construction. Test water quality in aquatic exhibits. Answer questions from other staff and the public regarding zoo animals, exhibits, and related.
Serve as designated lead worker
Involves: Guiding, monitoring, and training less knowledgeable employees. Schedule and assign work. Review and check work. Guide others in work processes. Recommend areas for employee skills improvement. Provide input to the employee performance evaluation process.
General Information
Important Note: The required Supplemental Questions and answers are considered an examination component and will generate a score.
Applicants are being tested on a conditional basis pending a review of minimum qualifications. Applications will be reviewed for applicants who pass the Supplemental Questions exam.
Per CSC Rules & Regulations, after review of the minimum qualifications for applicants that pass the Supplemental Questions exam, a passing score, combined with applicable seniority points and veteran points, will be used to create a list of candidates.
Note: Applicants with foreign degrees, transcripts, and diplomas must have all documents translated and evaluated by an agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) prior to submitting them to the Human Resources Department. Please visit www.naces.org/members for more information.
A résumé and/or other documents will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Comments such as “See résumé” are not acceptable and will result in the application being considered incomplete.
To qualify for this position, the required education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be clearly stated on your application’s employment history. We do not use any information on your resume to review if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
Failure to fully detail all experience and job duties in the application, or copying/pasting directly