Seasonal Animal Care Professional, Alabama Wilds

SUMMARY

The Birmingham Zoo is currently seeking applications for a Seasonal Animal Care Professional in the Alabama Wilds Department. Under the direction of the Zoological Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing a high level of care to a variety of farm animals in the Alabama Barn. Primary responsibilities of this position include maintaining the seasonal butterfly habitat, monitoring animal health, maintaining cleanliness of animal areas, providing environmental and behavioral enrichment, preparing diets, running the daily goat contact yard, maintaining accurate records, and presenting both formally and informally for the public. The candidate must be a motivated self-starter that is enthusiastic and team-oriented. This position requires a team player capable of positive interactions with staff, guests, and volunteers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Displays and demonstrates the basic biology, behaviors and husbandry of the animals in their department in the daily routine.
• Cleans and maintains animal holdings, including the use of chemical agents and special tools to assure the health and safety of the animals.
• Identifies, recognizes and reports any abnormal behavior of all the animals in their department.
• Monitors weather related needs for the animals in their department and shelters animals appropriately.
• Identifies, documents, and properly communicates any animal medical problems to the Zoological Manager and Veterinary staff in a timely manner.
• Maintains good communication with managers to ensure that all facilities and animals are in good order, and that all problems are reported.
• Provides enrichment and conducts animal training according to department procedures.
• Creates new enrichment ideas and items to be added to their department repertoire.
• Properly utilizes the animal record keeping systems within the department, including daily reports and animal files.
• Responsible for capturing, crating, and transferring animals using appropriate restraint and handling techniques designed to put the least amount of stress on the animal.
• Prepares and presents programs visitors and guests.
• Other duties as assigned.

SAFETY ANALYSIS

The ACP is expected to maintain the highest level of safety in the work area through implementation of safety protocols and procedures. The ACP position is impacted by a wide variety of potentially hazardous exposures:

• The ACP will have to deal with the unpredictability of wild animals.
• The care and husbandry of animals, some of whom are dangerous or may carry zoonotic diseases.
• The proper use and understanding of cleaning and disinfecting agents.
• Weather conditions including extreme heat, cold and storm conditions.

Specific training and procedures designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection will be provided. The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.

Animal Care Professionals, as with any staff member of the zoo, are required to be familiar with the Zoos overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, staff should expect:

• Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
• Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch and talk or hear.
• Routinely lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.
• Exposure to wet surfaces and slippery surfaces.
• Required to wear a face mask and or other personal protective equipment for long periods of time.
• Depending on assignment, exposure to the elements can be expected.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The Birmingham Zoo recognizes that skills and knowledge come from both formal and informal experiences including education, paid work, volunteer service, and life experience. Those who meet the majority of the requirements for a position are encouraged to apply.

Education and work experience

• College degree in a zoology-related field preferred.
• Volunteer, intern, or paid animal care experience in a zoo or equivalent setting preferred.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to multi-task, coordinate with others and meet deadlines.
• Ability to think critically and demonstrated time-management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to participate in presentations and public speaking.
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Office.
• Strong organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

Desirable qualities

• Strong interest in advancing the conservation missions of zoos and aquariums.
• High self-motivation and a detail-oriented work ethic.
• Professional, positive, and enthusiastic demeanor.

Other Requirements:

• Must have current negative TB test and rabies titer and provide documentation, or be willing to have a TB test and rabies titer.
• Must be First Aid/CPR certified or willing to be trained and certified.
• Must be willing to travel locally. Must have a current valid drivers license with no prior traffic violations (within the last five years).

POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK

• Full time
• Schedule varies between weekdays and weekends. Weekend work required as well as occasional evening work and holidays.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Birmingham Zoo is committed to being a place where everyone feels welcome, whether as a guest, team member, or part of our broader community. Our core values— Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Stewardship, and Inclusion— shape a work environment where respect, collaboration, and learning are valued. We encourage candidates with unique perspectives and experiences to apply.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Birmingham Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICATION PROCESS

If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment.

Birmingham Zoo Inc. is a not-for-profit entity. The rate of pay for this position is $16.25/hour.