Animal Keeper - Children's Zoo

Summary: This position encompasses skilled professional and technical work in the routine daily care of assigned animals, enclosures and related facilities in the Children's Zoo. This is a full-time (40 hours per week with benefits) keeper position, which is subject to the successful completion of a probationary (or trial period) period and the deduction of union dues. Regular days off will be Wednesday & Thursday.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: The daily husbandry of the Zoo's Children's Zoo collection, assisting with veterinary care; communicating with other Zoo staff and guests; as well as other duties as assigned to ensure the overall well-being of the animals and advance the mission of the Zoo. Clean animal displays, holding areas, service areas, public sections and grounds; Complete inspection of all enclosures to ensure the safety of the animal collection; Identify maintenance issues and correct or repair each as required, reporting non-correctable maintenance issues, including potential safety hazards, to the Team Leader and/or Maintenance Supervisor; Observe general animal health and behavior, on a daily basis, and report any abnormal circumstances to a supervisor; Maintain records of health, behavior, enrichment, operant conditioning and visitor engagement issues in designated programs in assigned areas, via electronic programs or hard copies (if computer access is interrupted); Prepare and follow prescribed diets and feeding procedures for the animal collection; Perform behavior modification and enrichment programs in assigned areas; Instruct new personnel in the proper methods of animal care consistent with approved policies and procedures; 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 present visitor engagement programs that include, but are not restricted to, Blakely's Barnyard Bonanza, programmed demonstrations, random encounters, educational programs and Meet-the-Keeper 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.

Qualifications: Equivalent combinations of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job will be considered.

Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, climb or balance, grasp; and negotiate stairs and ladders. In addition, the employee may be exposed to outside weather conditions, chemicals and zoonosis; Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance; and possess a valid driver's license (and insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle).

Position Details & Benefits

• This is a full-time (40 hours per week with benefits) keeper position, which is subject to the successful completion of a probationary period and the deduction of union dues.
• Regular off-days will be determined upon hire but will fall between Tuesday - Thursday.
• Position is hourly, non-exempt, and the starting pay range is between $21.73 - $25.75/hour determined by years of field experience.
• Intentional professional development opportunities, for both animal care and "people" skills.
• We offer a highly competitive benefits package supporting our employees' Total Well-Being, including comprehensive & affordable medical, dental & vision coverage (starting the first day of the month following date of hire); free mental health counseling, Employee Assistance Programs, 401(k) plan with company match; flexible spending accounts; generous paid time off (200 PTO hours accrued throughout the first year of service, 80 of which is loaded into the PTO bank upon hire); company-paid disability & life insurance; park discounts and free passes.

1. Because the person in this role will be working some front of stage, including as the leading alternate to the front of the stage role when needed, we would like each applicant to create & submit a video of themselves presenting a program to the public (or create one presenting their favorite animal or animal topic) and post on Youtube.com.

Please include the date of the event, description of the setting and the number of people in attendance (if any), as well as the link to the video. Videos are intended to show off candidate presentations skills, so presentations should be audible, and the candidate should be easily identifiable. Applications without video presentations will not be considered

2. Cover Letter and resume should be attached to your online application