Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is a leader in animal care and its mission is to inspire, educate and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for animals and their habitats. The Jungle Senior Keeper provides daily husbandry and behavioral management for all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, with an emphasis on New World and African-Eurasian Primates.
- The Senior Keeper is expected to perform as a team mentor and communicate regularly with the supervisor and lead keeper regarding animal management, facility maintenance, and staff development.
- They will assist in departmental work assignments, the development of departmental goals and plans, and aid in establishing work priorities for the department, especially related to husbandry and animal wellbeing.
- This position will ensure compliance with all Zoo policies and procedures and help cultivate an understanding of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium’s mission while creating a feeling of purpose for the members of the team.
Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions (including but not limited to):
- Direct involvement in maintaining records including ZIMS animal records, daily reports, enrichment logs, training logs, welfare assessments, and other required building SOPs.
- Demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements within the department.
- Support the Jungle Supervisor with day-to-day management of keeper staff and interns.
- Serve as an active department mentor and be prepared to oversee departmental functions and coordinate emergency responses in the absence of the supervisor and lead keeper.
- Ability to train and mentor new animal care staff to apply operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under his/her care.
- Ability to train and mentor new animal care staff in developing goal-based enrichment as part of the daily management of species under his/her care.
- Assist supervisor with animal husbandry and welfare protocols and adherence to regulations according to OHDZA, AZA, and USDA/APHIS.
- Knowledge of all functions of the Jungle, including animal habitats and overall building/grounds maintenance, including ability to problem solve when issues arise.
- Observe behavior of animals on both a day-to-day and long-term basis; notes any unusual behavior, signs of illness or injury, change in appetite, start of breeding cycle, or lack of compatibility with group members and reports same to supervisor; assists in administering medication or other treatments for illness or injury as directed.
- Maintain clean and organized habitats, back areas, service areas and equipment.
- Prepare, store and distribute food according to established feeding practices and diet sheet amounts; monitor feeding habits and report any changes or abnormalities.
- Administers prescribed medications, supplements, or treatments under the guidance of the veterinary and supervisory staff.
- As appropriate, maintains water quality through filtration, balance of chemical elements, and sanitation methods for aquatic or semi-aquatic animal species. Maintain pumps, filters, filtration devices and various testing equipment.
- As appropriate, maintains live habitat plantings to enhance habitat aesthetics; eliminates weeds and toxic plants from animal enclosures.
- In conjunction with the Zoo’s Integrated Pest Management Specialist, identify pest issues and may assist in pest control through the use of exclusion or traps.
- Identifies potential maintenance or safety issues and report them to the supervisor.
- Participate in keeper chats, tours, animal presentations or demonstrations, and/or other public interactions as requested by the supervisor.
- Provide work direction and assist in training interns and volunteers as assigned.
- Maintain a safe environment for all employees, animals, and guests. This includes following the Two Keeper Policy, wearing personal protective equipment, and safe equipment operation.
- Have a valid state driver’s license.
- Follow OSHA standards regarding workplace safety.
- Exhibits good teamwork and communication skills both verbal and written within the home team and when working with other teams or departments.
- Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
- Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
- Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
- Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Proven knowledge of basic training techniques, theory and application. Internal candidates should have completed Animal Trainer Materials and Objectives or be working towards completion.
- Internal candidates should have completed ICS 100 and 700.
- Expected to have or develop the appropriate level of knowledge of the natural history and Zoo housed wildlife management of rainforest mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, with an emphasis on primates, to ensure the best possible physical and psychological well-being of the animals in their care.
- Excellent communication skills and conflict resolution.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as well as knowing when to delegate tasks.
- Possess excellent time management and staff/volunteer supervision skill sets.
- Creative, positive, and self-motivated.
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
- Will sometimes work extended/odd hours including weekends, holidays, inclement weather and some night programs.
- Must be able to travel long distances across the zoo. On foot and on motor vehicles.
- Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
- Must be able to sit, kneel, bend, twist, stoop, crawl, reach above head and climb.
- Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 80 pounds using safe and proper lifting methods.
Education and Experience:
- Minimum of 4 years’ experience in an AZA accredited institution or related organization.
- Previous experience with a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, with a strong emphasis on New World and African-Eurasian Primates in an AZA institution is preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Animal Science, Behavior or related field is preferred.
- Working knowledge of natural history, biology, captive husbandry, and conservation issues as they apply to a wide variety of rainforest mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
- Must be individually and independently motivated to continue expanding their knowledge base as it applies to rainforest mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
- Exotic/zoo animal husbandry experience required.
- Operant conditioning and goal-based enrichment experience required.
- Public speaking experience preferred.
DISCLAIMER
- The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification.
- It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.
Salary
- $19.97/hour
