Animal Keeper Assistant

Principal Functions:

Support the Zoo in our mission "to be a leader in conservation, captive breeding and animal care; to connect people with wildlife and wild places through experiences that inspire action."

Help the Zoo achieve our vision of "Every kid. Every time. Goosebumps! Every kid, of any age, will have an experience of a lifetime with every visit."

Organizational Expectations :
Maintain courteous, helpful and professional behavior on the job. Support the success of the entire team by promoting a collaborative work environment.
Adhere to all CM Zoo Policies and Procedures, CM Zoo Safety Policies and Procedures, USDA guidelines and OSHA safety guidelines.
Consistently contribute to problem-solving and cooperate with identified resolutions.
Maintain discretion with confidential information.
Demonstrate regular attendance and punctuality.
Bring issues and process improvement ideas to the attention of the Supervisor.
Maintain verbal and written skills required for the position.
Attend meetings and participates in committees as required.
Complete trainings as required.
Adhere to Company Dress Code Policy. Always "Zoo Crisp!"
Demonstrate appropriate level of time management in support of co-workers and the entire team.
Represent the Zoo in a professional manner

Seasonal part-time position: Up to 29 hours per week or 1508 hours per year, 2-5 days per week. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

Note: Many of the shifts are less than 8 hours a day.

POSITION SUMMARY: This position is responsible for providing the highest quality care and husbandry of the animals to which they are assigned. Animal Keeper Assistants support the Zoo in our mission "to be a leader in conservation, captive breeding and animal care; to connect people with wildlife and wild places through experiences that inspire action." Promotes professional working relationships with both internal and external customers. This position is non-supervisory in nature, and was created to assist keepers with cleaning, diet prep, and shows, so that animal keepers can focus on other goals (primarily training and enrichment). Adheres to and supports all organizational policies and procedures and standards. Promotes teamwork!

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

High School diploma or GED is required
Continuing education in a related field is preferred
One year minimum paid Zoo experience is preferred
Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrate the ability to interact clearly and effectively with both internal and external customers.
Must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screening and criminal background check.
Must be able to provide proof that you can legally work in the United States.
Must have a valid Driver's License and be insurable as a driver in the state of Colorado.
Computer efficiency in computer applications such as Word, internet and email. Excel is a plus.
Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, vendors, Zoo staff, and the public.
Ability to make good decisions regarding the welfare of animals & guest
Ability to remain calm under pressure
Ability to work at a fast pace while still paying attention to detail
Ability to research, draw conclusions, and summarize data for discussion and review
Take ownership and pride in responsibilities
Possess the ability to organize and prioritize while working with strict deadlines
Available to work flexible schedule including weekends and holidays
Able to work alone or with minimal day-to-day supervision
Ability to work at a fast pace while still paying attention to details
Exceptional guest service skills

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:
Ensure discretion with confidential information.
Maintains courteous, helpful and professional behavior on the job. Will support the success of the entire team by promoting a collaborative work environment.
Adheres to all CM Zoo Policies and Procedures, CM Zoo Safety Policies and Procedures, and USDA and OSHA guidelines.
Consistently contributes to problem-solving and cooperates with identified resolutions.
Must demonstrate regular attendance and punctuality.
Brings issues and process improvement ideas to the attention of the Supervisor.
Maintains verbal and written skills required for the position.
Attends meetings and participates in committees as required.
Completes trainings as required.
Adheres to Company Dress Code Policy. Always "Zoo Crisp!"
Demonstrates appropriate level of time management in support of co-workers and the entire team.
Represent the Zoo in a professional manner

DEPARTMENTAL EXPECTATIONS:
Clean animal enclosures, public areas, service areas and yards, following established protocols
Implementing positive, professional programs, talks & tours while creating interactive learning opportunities and memorable experiences for Zoo guests
Provide a safe environment for the animals, themselves & their co-workers
General Husbandry for animals assigned
Provide positive guest experiences
Animal observations
Exhibit maintenance

Keep accurate animal records

Prepare and distribute diets to the animals
Following USDA & AZA regulations
Maintaining a positive, productive relationship with all other Zoo staff
Contribute to a positive work environment
Able to move and think quickly to avoid dangerous situations
Provide appropriate animal enrichment when requested
Other duties as required -may include shifting animals

Please note that some of these areas will be combined to create various shifts. Most of all the interpretations for shows/talks and demos will be done on microphone. Basic husbandry includes but is not limited to cleaning, disinfecting, diet preparation and enrichment.

African Rift Valley 1

Cleaning and basic husbandry of a variety of African species (including Rocky Mountain Goats and Mountain Tapir)
Assist and interpret for shows, talks and demos

African Rift Valley 2 - Giraffe and African Lions

Heavy cleaning and basic husbandry of giraffe herd
Prepare diets and help clean in African lion building

Commissary

Prepare diets for various areas; use knives safely
Clean prep areas & diet buckets; wash dishes

Elephant/Rhino

Heavy cleaning and basic husbandry of African elephants and rhino

Water's Edge; Africa

Cleaning and basic husbandry of a variety of African species
Assist and interpret for shows, talks and demos

Animal Attendant positions:

Australia/Scutes Family Gallery

o Budgie Buddies

Engage, educate and entertain guests while they interact with birds
Care for free flight aviary birds
Sell seed sticks and responsible for handling of money
Oversee and control containment of free flight birds

o Wallaby Walkabout

Engage, educate and entertain guests while they are interacting with wallabies
Lead a variety of activities
Oversee and control containment of free walk through area

o Domestic Goat Yard

Engage, educate and entertain guests while they interact with domestic goats
Cleaning and basic husbandry for the domestic goat herd
Sell goat feed and responsible for handling of money
Oversee and control containment of the domestic goat herd

Water's Edge; Africa

o Penguin

Engage, educate and entertain guests while they interact with birds
Oversee and control containment of the penguins in the public walk through exhibit

INDEPENDENT ACTION

Must be a self-starter, take initiative, possess a high level of multi-tasking ability under high degree of pressure and be able to work with limited supervision.

EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

Must be a cooperative and collaborative member of the team and able to handle interruptions and requests for information and assistance from employees with an attitude of good customer service.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements - While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; lift heavy objects; sit; use hands to manipulate, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk, see, hear and smell. The employee is required to reach and stretch with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may be required to endure extremes in temperature and may work in hazardous environments where personal protective equipment is required. Requires full range of body motion, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination; requires the ability to use department equipment, to communicate effectively; requires standing, walking, sitting (possibly for long periods of time) and performing repetitive tasks (including working on the computer) for up to the entire work day; requires the ability to lift/carry up to 70 pounds using appropriate body mechanics.

Visual, Hearing and Communication Requirements - Requires corrected vision and hearing to within normal range, with or without reasonable accommodation. Must be able to communicate effectively in verbal and written form with all levels of personnel within and outside of the organization.
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