Animal Keeper

Santa Barbara Zoo

Animal Keeper

Santa Barbara, CA
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Immediate Opening!

    The Santa Barbara Zoo is seeking a full-time Animal Keeper for our Animal Care and Health team. If you are a dedicated, passionate, and experienced individual with a strong commitment to animal care and wildlife conservation, we encourage you to apply for the Animal Keeper position on this portal, outlining your relevant experience and motivation for joining our team.

    Position Status: Full-time, Regular, Non-exempt, Hourly Schedule: 5 days a week based on business need, generally with Tues/Wed off - 40 hours/work week Compensation: $20.40 – $22.97 per hour DOE

    You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position

    SUMMARY:

    Under general direction of Zoological Manager, Director of Animal Care and V.P. of Animal Care & Health, the Keeper is responsible for the application of daily animal care, maintenance of exhibits, guest experience and applicable research.

    In this role, you will work with a diverse range of taxa, including mammals, birds, and ectotherms. You will be responsible for husbandry, maintaining naturalistic exhibits, and ensuring the highest standards of animal care and well-being. The ideal candidate would also welcome the challenge of participating in the zoo’s local field conservation activities including California condor, island fox, as well as local bird and ectotherm species.

    KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

    Provide exemplary husbandry and care for a variety of animals, both large and small

    Maintain and enhance naturalistic exhibits, creating a safe and stimulating environment for the animals, focused on demonstrating natural behaviors

    Actively participate in on-grounds or local field conservation activities, contributing to initiatives involving California condor, island fox, and local ectotherm species

    Collaborate closely with the Animal Care & Health team, reporting to a Zoological Manager and the Director of Animal Care

    Engage with the public through educational programs and public speaking engagements

    Ensure the safety and well-being of both animals and team members in a strenuous work environment that may require lifting up to 50lbs as needed, navigate uneven surfaces, reaching overhead, climbing and other physical requirements.

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    Minimum of 1 year experience in working at an AZA accredited facility or similar facility with a variety of taxa

    Proficiency in animal husbandry, exhibit maintenance, and behavioral enrichment.

    A commitment to wildlife conservation and an eagerness to engage in local field conservation activities.

    Strong teamwork ethic and personal accountability.

    Excellent public speaking and communication skills.

    Physical fitness to handle the demands of the position.

    ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

    Animal Care:

    Performs all basic animal husbandry and health duties in the safest manner following established Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) and protocols

    Records the signs of normal health and changes in animal under his/her care using the daily report system

    Records results of training sessions and enrichment to document and evaluate progress toward team goals

    Develops and documents training and enrichment programs

    Facilitates established animal presentations

    Regular attendance necessary

    Understanding/Handling Emergency Situations:

    Responds to animal emergencies quickly and calculates risks involved for animal, guest and staff

    Remains calm and creates an atmosphere of calm and control for those dealing with the emergency situation

    Uses physical capture and restraint equipment as required

    Evaluates the impact of emergency or mock situations on all areas of the Zoo and suggests improvements to the emergency response systems

    Guest Relations:

    Associates with guests to assist and share information

    Responds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relation procedures

    Meets exhibit presentation quality standards for cleanliness and maintenance to maximize our guest experience

    Develops and facilitates formal and informal educational programs

    Staff development:

    Supervises volunteers and interns

    Shares critical information, best practices, and procedures on a consistent basis with staff

    Coaches coworkers, volunteers and interns and provides informal feedback

    Provides training for new keepers on husbandry standard operating guidelines

    Operation and Business:

    Exemplifies the highest ethical standards to ensure the health and well being of the animal collection

    Ensures that all regulatory standards are met such as USDA Animal Welfare Act, regional, federal and AZA standards

    Reports animal maintenance issues and potential hazards for staff

    Ensures consistent productive operating practices by identifying areas for potential revenue generation, reduction of costs and more efficient procedures

    Holds peers accountable for their performance

    Adheres to Zoo’s policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Policy Manual

    Attends bi-monthly all-employee meetings

    Attends departmental meetings

    SECONDARY DUTIES:

    Greets every guest with a smile

    Thanks guests for supporting/visiting the Zoo

    Answers phone calls, voice mails, and e-mails promptly and in a professional manner

    Insures the Zoo’s presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance are met by keeping work areas clean, picking up trash, reporting unsafe or unsightly conditions

    Maintains a clean neat appearance and adheres to the Zoo’s uniform dress code

    Takes responsibility to stay informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending meetings

    Reflects the qualities outlined in the Guest Relations Statement and the Employee Pledge

    Other duties as assigned to maintain efficient and quality zoo operations

    POSITION CRITERIA:

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and environmental characteristics described below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and working and physical elements required of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    Education and Experience:

    Bachelor’s degree or graduation from two-year college program focused on captive animal husbandry

    Experience in routine animal husbandry, exhibit maintenance, and behavioral enrichment in a zoo, aquarium or closely related activity

    License, Certification, or Preferred Qualifications:

    Bachelor’s degree in Life Science such as Biology, Zoology, Ecology or closely related discipline is preferred

    Previous work experience in an AZA accredited facility is preferred

    Valid driver’s license with good driving record is desirable

    Knowledge, Skills and Ability:

    Available to work weekends and holidays, and when events are scheduled

    Knowledge of animal behavior and natural history

    Knowledge of procedures for observation, handling/restraint, training, enrichment, reproduction, facility needs and health of animals

    A commitment to wildlife conservation and an eagerness to engage in local field conservation activities

    Strong teamwork ethic and personal accountability

    Excellent public speaking and communication skills

    Physical fitness to handle the demands of the position

    Understanding of emergency situation procedures, specifically those involved with guest and staff safety

    Basic computer skills

    Ability to follow oral and written direction

    Effective oral and written communication skills

    Ability to develop warm and friendly relationships at work

    Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, our guests

    Ability to exercise safe work habits while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals

    Awareness of, sensitivity to, and empathy with animals

    Physical Demands & Work Environment:

    Requires the ability to access all areas of the facility

    Ability to negotiate the zoo work environment including behind-the-scenes, lawns, gravel, and hilltop

    Must be able to participate in operational practices; including climb stairs, manipulate tools, and stand/walk for long periods of time

    Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including electric cart, two-way radio and capture equipment

    Must be able to lift 50 pounds occasionally, and 10 or fewer pounds frequently

    Ability to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly push, pull or otherwise move objects

    The ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing

    The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs

    Involves working out of doors in all weather conditions

    Supportive and open employment culture

    Tools Used:

    Standard cleaning equipment such as hoses, rakes, shovels, and brooms

    Two-way radio

    Personal Computer and software (Word, Excel, Outlook)

    Capture equipment

    Electric cart

    Hand tools

    BENEFITS & PERKS:

    Great team, beautiful grounds, amazing animal collection, sunshine & ocean view almost year-round!

    Free parking M-F, free guest passes, unlimited free tea/coffee every morning, 20% discounts on food services and retail purchases

    Access to the San Diego Zoo Global Academy platform, professional development events, and lunch & learn opportunities

    Comprehensive benefits package for FTR staff, voluntary supplemental insurances, zoo membership, paid sick leave, paid vacation time, 403(b) and SEP retirement plans, a paid conservation day, a paid Zoo Day to visit another AZA accredited institution, paid time off to take your pet to the vet, and much more...

    You must also complete the Zoo's Official Employment Application on the next page in order to be considered for the position

    Please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.


    This job description is representative of the expectations of the position described. Additional duties, reporting relationships, and/or position criteria may be assigned as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative. No changes to this job description shall be made without written permission by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative.

    The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.

    At this time, the Zoo does not sponsor employment or internship visas.