About the position
Walt Disney's legacy of caring for animals and the environment is a way of life for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and our Guests. Disney's Animal Kingdom is looking for candidates for an Animal Keeper position on the Elephant team. In this full-time, salaried role, you will work closely with a team of keepers to perform daily care of the collection following established guidelines. The position involves maintaining the care, well-being, management, behavioral conditioning, and enrichment of a multi-generational, mixed-sex herd of African elephants. You will ensure the daily routines of cleaning, animal observation, diet preparation, and reporting medical needs and abnormal conditions to Zoological Managers. Additionally, you will maintain daily records, collecting and logging information, and ensuring this information is communicated to management and the central animal record-keeping system. The role requires being open to physical labor in ambient outdoor temperatures and weather conditions in Central Florida, which may include extreme heat and humidity. You will need to work well in a team environment and partner with maintenance, operation managers, horticulture, veterinary staff, educators, and scientists. Providing animal information and conservation messages through guest and cast interaction is also a key part of the job. Flexibility in scheduling is essential, as you will be required to work a variety of shifts, including early morning start times (5 AM) or late evening ending times (12 AM), and may be required to work weekends and holidays.
Responsibilities
- Maintain the care, well-being, management, behavioral conditioning, and enrichment of a multi-generational, mixed-sex herd of African elephants.
- Ensure daily routines of cleaning, animal observation, diet preparation, and reporting medical needs and abnormal conditions to Zoological Managers.
- Maintain daily records, collecting and logging information and ensuring this information is communicated to management and the central animal record-keeping system.
- Be open to physical labor in ambient outdoor temperatures and weather conditions in Central Florida, including extreme heat and humidity.
- Work well in a team environment and partner with maintenance, operation managers, horticulture, veterinary staff, educators, and scientists.
- Provide animal information and conservation messages through guest and cast interaction.
- Keep a flexible schedule, working a variety of shifts including early morning start times (5 AM) or late evening ending times (12 AM) and may be required to work weekends and holidays.
Requirements
- Proven experience working with large mammals focused on general husbandry, enrichment, and exposure to operant conditioning techniques in the field.
- Observation, evaluation, and data collection skills as it relates to the daily management and research of the species in their care.
- Three years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA accredited institution, or in an institution with equivalent standards.
- Comfortable lifting up to 50 pounds as needed in the work area.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience working with Elephants.
- An advanced understanding of operant conditioning.
- Previous experience providing guest service and guest interaction opportunities throughout your workday.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Educational opportunities
- Special extras that only Disney can provide.
