Position Title:
Lead Zoo Keeper - Carnivores – East Team

Department:
Animal Management

Reports to:
Manager, Animal Collection

FLSA Status:
Non-exempt (hourly)

Salary:
$20.16 per hour

Posting:
Applications are now being accepted for Lead Zoo Keeper in the Animal Management Department at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. There is one full-time, regular, benefited position to be filled at this time. The most qualified candidate will have demonstrated successful experience in the care and management of carnivores, and in operant conditioning. This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Summary:
This position is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of animal care operations within specific assigned areas of the zoo. Promotes teamwork and acts as liaison with other departments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following:

• Coordinate the work of Zookeepers, Zoo Attendants, and volunteers in their assigned areas.
• Inspect animals and animal facilities to ensure they are properly cared for and maintained.
• Observe animal behavior, report abnormal behavior patterns and provide technical advice to management and staff.
• Prepare food for assigned animals; assist in the development of animal diets.
• Clean and disinfect assigned animals and exhibit areas.
• Implement and maintain treatment plans and preventive health programs as prescribed by Zoo Veterinarian or Zoo Curators.
• Identify and communicate safety concerns to management in a timely manner.
• Participate in the capture and restraint of dangerous animals as directed by management.
• Mentor and assist with staff training.
• Provide relief coverage for Zookeepers and Zoo Attendants.
• Recommend and implement animal care procedures and policies, including record keeping.
• Maintain supply inventories.
• Assist with the physical transfer, shipment, or receipt of animals.
• Support special animal care activities such as physical examinations, minor exhibit repairs and modifications, and major exhibit maintenance projects.
• Assist in development and implementation of behavior husbandry program.
• Plan, prepare, and conduct public presentations on animal care and conservation.
• Participate in exhibit design process and implementation, as directed.
• Represent the Woodland Park Zoo to the media, as directed.
• Conduct behind the scenes tours, as directed.
• Support fundraising/development efforts of the Zoo.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Seeking two years experience in an AZA accredited facility.
• This position may require that the individual be available or on-call 24 hours a day. Weekend, evening, and holiday work may be required.

Education/Experience:
Bachelor's degree in a Life Sciences field from an accredited four-year college or university; and five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Computer Skills:
Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
TB test done annually.

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl while cleaning animal exhibits. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds when cleaning and maintaining exhibitry and moving animals. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Evaluating animal health, diet, or environment requires hearing, smell, and a variety of vision capabilities. Interaction with visitors and animals requires talking and hearing.

How To Apply:

Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.

<No Phone Calls Please>

Our Application for Employment is available below in two formats:

• Online
  Fill out the online application (which allows you to attach your cover letter and resume) and submit electronically.
  
• Portable Document Format
  Print and send the application along with a Cover Letter and Resume via U.S. mail or fax. If you experience difficulty downloading the PDF document you can obtain the necessary software (Adobe Acrobat Reader) here.

Attn: Lead Zoo Keeper – Carnivores – West Team
Fax: 206-548-1538
Email: hr@zoo.org

US Mail:
Human Resources        
Woodland Park Zoo
601 North 59th Street
Seattle, WA 98103

Application Deadline: Ongoing interviews and hiring - apply now!