About the position
The Keeper I position at the Phoenix Zoo is a full-time role within the Living Collections department, responsible for ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of assigned ectothermic animals. This role involves performing documented husbandry practices, which are essential for the care of the animals. The Keeper will also support public experiences by training and mentoring internal guests, including staff and volunteers, and developing animal cued behaviors and programs. The position requires active collaboration in the development and presentation of guest experiences that align with the Phoenix Zoo's mission. In this role, the Keeper will provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests, maintaining a friendly, helpful, positive, and professional demeanor. Routine husbandry tasks include feeding prescribed diets, monitoring diet consumption, and reporting any health or behavioral abnormalities to the immediate supervisor. The Keeper will assist in developing protocols for the restraint, introduction, breeding, and husbandry care of assigned animals, and will be responsible for performing behavioral enrichment activities and animal training procedures in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures. Additionally, the Keeper will participate in non-routine health and husbandry activities such as animal transports, introductions, restraint, treatment, and medication of animals. In emergency situations, the Keeper must respond according to approved protocols to ensure the safety of both guests and animals. Minor repairs to exhibits may also be required, along with collaboration with maintenance staff to document and report any structural or mechanical issues. The role may involve participation in special events and communication activities, working closely with various departments to enhance the overall guest experience.
Responsibilities
- Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance.
- Perform routine husbandry by feeding prescribed diets, monitoring and reporting diet consumption consistent with documented Standard Operating Procedures; report any observed health or behavioral abnormalities of all assigned specimens to immediate supervisor on a daily basis.
- Assist in the development of protocols for the restraint, introduction/breeding, and husbandry care of assigned animals; amend and update Standard Operating Procedures as assigned.
- Perform assigned and approved behavioral enrichment activities and animal training procedures of assigned specimens in a timely manner and consistent with documented Standard Operating Procedures.
- Participate as assigned in non-routine health and husbandry activities such as animal transports, animal introductions/breeding, restraint and treatment of animals, and the medication of specimens.
- Respond to animal emergency circumstances according to approved protocols, ensuring the safety of guests and animals.
- Perform minor repairs to exhibits; interact with maintenance staff as needed and as assigned. Document and report any structural or mechanical problems.
- Work collaboratively with other staff and departments to support designated public experiences and other communication activities and goals that include participating as necessary with Special Events, Group Services, Marketing and PR events.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Life Science or equivalent experience preferred.
- High school diploma required.
- Minimum six months paid or one-year volunteer experience in work relevant to exotic animal husbandry.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Able to bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven surfaces.
- Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.
- Possession of a valid driver's license.
- Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check and clear annual TB test.
Nice-to-haves
- Behavioral enrichment experience preferred.
