What is a Zoo Keeper?

Zoo Keepers are the unsung heroes of the animal kingdom, dedicated to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of the diverse creatures that call zoos and aquariums home. As a Zoo Keeper, you'll have the unique opportunity to connect with amazing animals on a daily basis, while also playing a vital role in conservation efforts and educating the public about the importance of protecting our planet's biodiversity.

What does a Zoo Keeper do?

Zoo Keepers are responsible for the day-to-day care and maintenance of the animal habitats and exhibits in their charge. This includes tasks such as preparing and distributing food, cleaning and maintaining enclosures, monitoring the animals for signs of illness or distress, and implementing enrichment activities to encourage natural behaviors. Zoo Keepers also work closely with veterinary staff to assist with medical procedures and help ensure the animals receive the best possible care.

Zoo Keeper Responsibilities Include

• Feeding and watering animals according to their specific dietary needs
• Cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures, habitats, and living spaces
• Observing animals for signs of illness or abnormal behavior and reporting any concerns to the veterinary team
• Designing and implementing enrichment activities to stimulate the animals' natural behaviors
• Maintaining detailed records of animal activities, behaviors, and health
• Assisting with the handling and restraint of animals during veterinary procedures or exhibit maintenance
• Educating and interacting with zoo visitors to promote animal welfare and conservation efforts

Job Description

🐼 Zoo Keeper

About Company

[Company Name] is a leading zoo and conservation organization committed to protecting the world's most endangered species. Our team of dedicated professionals work tirelessly to provide exceptional care for the animals in our charge and to inspire our visitors to take action in support of environmental sustainability.

Job Brief

As a Zoo Keeper, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of the animals in our care. You'll be responsible for the daily tasks of feeding, cleaning, monitoring, and enriching the lives of our diverse collection of species, all while fostering a deep appreciation for the natural world among our visitors.

What You'll Do 🐝

• Prepare and distribute appropriate food and water for assigned animals
• Clean and maintain animal enclosures, habitats, and living spaces
• Observe animals for signs of illness or distress and report any concerns to the veterinary staff
• Implement daily enrichment activities to encourage natural behaviors in the animals
• Maintain detailed records of animal activities, behaviors, and health
• Assist with the handling and restraint of animals during veterinary procedures or exhibit maintenance
• Educate and interact with zoo visitors to promote animal welfare and conservation efforts

What We're Looking For 🔍

• Bachelor's degree in zoology, biology, animal science, or a related field
• Previous experience working with animals in a zoo, aquarium, or animal care facility
• Strong observational and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to work long hours, weekends, and holidays as needed

Our Values

• Commitment to animal welfare and conservation
• Passion for education and inspiring others
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Continuous learning and innovation
• Dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Discounts on zoo memberships and merchandise

Location

This position is based at our [Location] zoo, with the option for some remote work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.

Hiring Process 🤝

If you're excited about the prospect of becoming a Zoo Keeper, we'd love to hear from you! Our hiring process consists of several steps to ensure we find the best candidate for this important role.

Screening Interview

This initial interview will help us assess your qualifications, motivation, and fit for the Zoo Keeper position. We'll ask questions to better understand your background and why you're interested in this role.

Competency Interview

In this interview, we'll dive deeper into your relevant skills and experience for the Zoo Keeper position. We'll evaluate your knowledge of animal care, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to animal welfare and conservation.

Work Sample - Animal Enrichment Presentation

To showcase your creativity and critical thinking skills, we'll ask you to prepare a short presentation on a proposed animal enrichment activity for a specific animal species at our zoo. This will give us insight into how you would apply your knowledge to enhance the animals' well-being.

Chronological Interview

Given the extensive experience required for this role, we'll conduct a chronological interview to better understand your work history and how your past experiences have prepared you for the Zoo Keeper position.

Final Interview

In this final stage, you'll have the opportunity to meet with key stakeholders, such as the zoo director and veterinary staff, to discuss your overall fit for the role, your passion for animal welfare, and your ability to work effectively with the broader zoo team.

Ideal Candidate Profile (For Internal Use)

Role Overview

As a Zoo Keeper, you'll be responsible for the daily care and enrichment of the animals in our zoo, playing a critical role in our mission to promote animal welfare and environmental conservation. We're seeking an individual with a deep understanding of animal behavior and a strong commitment to providing exceptional care, as well as the ability to effectively educate and engage with our visitors.

Essential Behavioral Competencies

1. Attention to Detail: Demonstrates meticulous care and diligence in completing tasks, ensuring the safety and well-being of the animals under your charge.
2. Problem-Solving: Exhibits the ability to think critically, identify potential issues, and implement creative solutions to address the evolving needs of the animals.
3. Teamwork and Collaboration: Works effectively with the broader zoo team, including veterinary staff and visitor services, to ensure a coordinated and cohesive approach to animal care and visitor education.
4. Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility and the capacity to adjust to changing schedules, unexpected situations, and the unique needs of individual animals.
5. Passion for Animal Welfare: Possesses a genuine love for animals and a strong commitment to promoting their well-being and conservation.

Goals For Role

1. Maintain the highest standards of animal care and enrichment, ensuring the physical and behavioral needs of the animals are met.
2. Contribute to the development and implementation of innovative enrichment activities that stimulate the animals' natural behaviors and promote their overall well-being.
3. Effectively communicate with visitors, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the animals and the importance of conservation efforts.
4. Collaborate with the veterinary team to monitor the animals' health and provide timely reporting of any concerns or issues.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in zoology, biology, animal science, or a related field
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience working with animals in a zoo, aquarium, or similar animal care facility
• Demonstrated passion for animal welfare and a strong commitment to conservation efforts
• Excellent observational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and address potential issues quickly
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills, with the ability to engage and educate visitors of all ages
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to work long hours, weekends, and holidays as needed
• Proficient in animal handling and restraint, with a deep understanding of animal behavior and husbandry