Zookeeper I

City of Montgomery, AL; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Montgomery, AL is seeking a Zookeeper I to provide essential animal care, including feeding, cleaning, and general husbandry of the zoo's live animal collections. You will rotate among sections, observe health, and record observations for reports, under supervision from senior staff.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED and 6 months of professional animal care experience, or 1 year as paid professional/volunteer in animal care.

Qualifications

• Observe animal behavior and health, and accurately record observations in reports.
• Must be able to lift up to 60 pounds unassisted.
• Must be able to work weekends and holidays.
• Must have and maintain a valid Alabama driver’s license and an insurable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Feeding, cleaning, and general husbandry of the zoo's live animal collections.
• Observe animal behavior and health and record observations in reports.
• Prepare appropriate diets and, as needed, administer medications.
• Maintain facilities and exhibits to ensure a safe, clean environment.

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

The fundamental reason this position exists is to provide essential animal care through specific duties such as feeding, cleaning, and general husbandry of the zoo's live animal collections. This role is highly labor intensive and requires a commitment to the welfare of the animals. The job responsibilities include but are not limited to observing animal behavior and health, accurately recording observations in reports, preparing appropriate diets, administering medications as needed, and maintaining the facilities and exhibits to ensure a safe, clean, and enjoyable environment for everyone. Zookeeper I differ from Zookeeper II; Zookeeper II oversees a specific section and possesses in-depth knowledge of the animals in that area. In contrast, the Zookeeper I will gain diverse experience by rotating among various sections as needed. Employees in this position receive direct supervision from the Zookeeper II, the Assistant General Curator, the Conservation & Enrichment Manager, and the General Curator.

High School diploma or G.E.D. and six (6) months of professional animal care experience in a zoo setting or one (1) year of animal care experience as a paid professional, technical employee, or as a supervised volunteer in an organization that buys, sells, or maintains exotic and/or domestic animals.

NOTE: Qualifying education, training and experience that provide the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job will be considered.

Must be able to tolerate working under difficult conditions to include extreme heat and cold and deadlines as needed to care for animal collection and maintain exhibits. Must be able to stoop, climb, walk, run and crawl. Must be able to lift heavy objects such as food bundles, hay, or food bags weighing up to 60 pounds unassisted. Must be able to work weekends and holidays. Must have and maintain a valid Alabama driver’s license and an insurable driving record in order to drive city vehicles to pick up various produce and food items. Candidates will be subject to a medical exam following a conditional job offer.