Lead Program Animal Keeper
JOB DESCRIPTION
PALM BEACH ZOO &
CONSERVATION SOCIETY
TITLE: Lead Program
Animal Keeper
DEPARTMENT: Wildlife
Care and Conservation
REPORTS TO:
Associate Curator
SUMMARY:
In addition to basic
husbandry duties, the Lead Keeper takes an active role in the management of the
keeper staff, interns, volunteers, animal collection and facilities within
their assigned area. The Lead Keeper assists with the enforcement of participation
in departmental programs (records, policies, procedures, etc). They act as a
filter for staff communication up the chain of command, and a facilitator for
communication down the chain of command. The Lead Keeper of Program Animals
also assists with the development of program animal policies, procedures and
protocols.
MINIMUM DUTIES &
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Animal Care
• Clean
and sanitize assigned animal enclosures
• Prepare
and feed out approved diets
• Store
and administer medications according to USDA standards and the prescriptions
issued by veterinary staff
• Fill
out daily records
• Communicate
safety and health concerns to appropriate staff
• Participate
in preventative medicine programs including whole of life plans, fecal
collection and submission, immobilization of animals for physical exams and
regular weight checks
• Assist
in the capture and restraint of collection animals for transfer and veterinary
procedures
• Participate
in behavioral management initiatives including animal training and enrichment
of assigned animals
• Organize
and maintain adequate stocks of supplies and keep equipment in good repair
• Contribute
to exhibit concept design and collection planning discussions
• Review
detailed design documents for animal husbandry requirements as needed
• Look
for opportunities to improve efficiency and excellence in animal care
• Participate
in Drills and Emergency Response and provide feedback on the experience
Guest Experience
• Perform
exhibit talks as scheduled and assigned
• Initiate
informal talks and encounters and record details in the guest interaction log
• Participate
in educational programs as assigned (zoo camp, fee based encounters, etc)
• Research,
document and present information on collection animals in the Connect, Understand, Act format
• Take
opportunities to improve guest experience both as an individual and as an
institution including the zoo’s safety procedures, visitor services and general
appearance
• Serve
as a representative to the media as assigned
• Handle
program animals for events and encounters
Leadership
• Serve
as a mentor to new keepers, interns and volunteers
• Facilitate
discussions on whole of life plans for collection animals
• Plan
and facilitate capture and restraint procedures
• Serve
as an Animal Duty Officer on a rotating basis throughout the week as scheduled
• Create
and maintain an environment that fosters individual growth and expression
Management
• Responsible
for scheduling staff on exhibits and cross training
• Responsible
for developing and managing project lists for the run
• Oversee
weight management practices, body condition scoring and diet reviews of
assigned animals
• Make
recommendations on the upkeep and improvement of public areas, keeper areas and
exhibits
• Creates,
updates and ensures compliance with Standard Operating Procedures for assigned
area
• Monitors
progress and provides mentorship for animal training and enrichment programs
• Coordinates
and monitors progress for animal introductions
• Maintains
familiarity with U.S. Department of Agriculture and Florida Fish and Wildlife
Commission regulations
• Manage
records files for the run (physical as well as electronic): ensuring
completion, organization and accessibility of records
• Rotates
through each section within the realm of responsibility to provide husbandry
support as dictated by need
• Ensures
the completion of monthly health checks and maintenance (medication, wing
clips, nail trims, weights etc)
• Assist
with the development and maintenance of program animal policies, procedures and
protocols
• May
assist with scheduling program animals for events including site visits and
program design
REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor’s
degree in biological sciences or applicable field
• Minimum
of five years’ paid experience working in a zoological institution
• Experience
with species in the zoo’s animal collection specific to the assigned area
• One
year of supervisory experience
• Must
be physically able to stoop, bend, reach, climb, lift, carry or push at least
50 pounds in a south Florida climate
• Must
have a valid driver’s license
• Must
be able to work a schedule which includes weekends, holidays and special events
This job description
does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee.
The job holder will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform
any other duties upon request of their supervisor.
Please title subject
line “LK” and email resumes to aanderson@palmbeachzoo.org
_____________________________________
(Signature of the
employee)
_____________________________________
(Print name)
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
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