Zoo Animal Care & Enrichment Keeper

Oglebay; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Oglebay Park in Wheeling, WV seeks a dedicated wildlife keeper to provide for the physical and psychological well-being of the zoo animals and enclosures. You will assist with interpreting the collection to visitors and support routine animal care.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree or 1–2 years related experience. Responsibilities cover habitat maintenance, animal diets, enrichment, record-keeping, and collaboration with veterinarians and park staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education experience.

Responsibilities

• Cleans and maintains animal habitats, service areas, and guest areas around and adjacent to habitats using chemical agents and special tools to assure the health and safety of the animals.
• Prepares and distributes animal diets according to approved guidelines provided by the curator of animals.
• Performs regular maintenance to animal habitats by collecting, installing and maintaining furnishings and substrata to maximize the guest viewing of the animal and to depict its natural environment.
• Maintains horticulture and grounds in and around animal habitats using tools such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, sprinklers, and blowers.
• Monitors and records health of animals with observation and periodic physical exams, monitors eating habits, behaviors and reproductive patterns.
• Observes and interprets normal and abnormal behaviors, health status, and food consumption; advises managers of problems or concerns.
• Supervises and assigns work to zoo volunteers and interns scheduled in keeper’s area of responsibility; assists in training and evaluation of volunteers.
• Maintains comprehensive records, reports, and training plans; handles routine correspondence from zoo colleagues and the public; maintains food, supply, and equipment inventory.
• Reviews available library resources and develops a working knowledge of the in-situ and ex-situ biology of all species in assigned areas.
• Conducts fecal, water chemistry and minor blood tests and other laboratory procedures.
• Assists zoo veterinarians in the evaluation, examination and treatment of zoo animals; administers medications and provides first aid to injured zoo animals or wildlife until veterinary help arrives.
• Assists other park managers with resident wildlife problems within the resort, may include trapping, relocation or euthanasia of sick or nuisance wildlife in accordance with state & federal laws and AVMA and AZA guidelines.
• Monitors and reports physical plant problems and fire/safety hazards; trained in CPR, first aid and crisis response, may discharge pepper spray or firearms.
• Provides for the psychological well-being of the animal collection by practicing, documenting and evaluating enrichment; recognizes and addresses abnormal or stereotypical behaviors; applies the principles of operant conditioning to facilitate animal husbandry and veterinary procedures; and completes welfare assessments for the species in their care.
• Possesses sufficient strength, delicacy, agility and coordination to restrain, capture and/or transfer neonates, fragile or injured animals, or large and strong animals.
• May hand rear neonates at home and/or return to the zoo at night to care for sick or newborn animals.
• Provides informational, promotional and educational programs to guests and volunteers; may give tours to assist with training classes and to zoo guests.
• Follows written and oral instructions.
• Adheres to the code of professional ethics of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
• Interact with guests with a cheerful and positive attitude, solve guest concerns in a proper manner, and maintain harmonious working relationships with fellow employees.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 1-2 years related experience

Job description

Oglebay Park in Wheeling, WV seeks a dedicated wildlife keeper to provide for the physical and psychological well-being of the zoo animals and enclosures. You will assist with interpreting the collection to visitors and support routine animal care.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree or 1–2 years related experience. Responsibilities cover habitat maintenance, animal diets, enrichment, record-keeping, and collaboration with veterinarians and park staff.