Animal Keeper - Night Hunters
Description: This is a full-time (40 hours per week with benefits) Union keeper position, which is subject to the successful completion of a probationary (or trial) period and the deduction of Union dues. Regular off-days will be determined upon hire but will fall between Tuesday thru Thursday.
Summary: This position encompasses skilled professional and technical work in the routine daily care of assigned animals, enclosures, and related facilities in Night Hunters, including Cat Canyon. Night Hunters offers a diverse collection of animals including Malayan tiger, cougar, snow leopard, clouded leopard, various small carnivores, aardvark, vampire bats, and Indian flying foxes. Duties may include related tasks and/or unrelated duties as assigned.
Duties include:
- Clean animal displays, holding areas, service areas, public sections and grounds.
- Complete inspection of all enclosures to ensure the safety of the animals.
- Identify maintenance issues and correct or repair each as required, reporting non-correctable maintenance issues, including potential safety hazards, to the Lead Keeper and/or Zoological Manager/Curator.
- Observe general animal health and behavior, daily, and report any abnormal circumstances to a supervisor.
- Maintain records of health, behavior, enrichment, operant conditioning, and visitor engagement.
- Prepare and follow prescribed diets and feeding procedures for the animal collection.
- Perform operant conditioning and enrichment programs in assigned areas.
- Assist in the training, supervision, evaluation of volunteers, interns, and vocational students, as needed.
- Assist animal health and curatorial staff with animal handling, capture, restraint, transport, and medication administration.
- Develop and support visitor engagement programs.
- Interact with the public and Zoo staff in a professional and courteous manner.
- Make decisions consistent with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden policies and procedures, when required.
- Perform daily duties in all sections of assigned department, as required.
- Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.
- Demonstration of excellent communication skills, while applying good judgment, to deliver animal care and guest experiences that meet the highest standards.
- Demonstration of knowledge and successful experience in animal husbandry, operant conditioning, and understanding of modern zoological practices.
- The ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with co-workers (including staff, volunteers, interns, and vocational students)
- Exhibiting tolerance, trustworthiness, and accountability
- Consistently work in a problem-solving capacity within the department (planning ahead, communicating effectively, support team initiatives).
- Proven team player with the ability to work independently.
- Exhibiting reliability and adaptability
- A degree in the biological sciences or related field.
- 3 years of keeper experience in an AZA institution preferred, with at least 1 year experience with carnivores.
- Paid experience with big cats and small carnivores preferred.
PI288024574