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Seasonal Zookeeper
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Springfield Park District
Seasonal Zookeeper - Henson Robinson Zoo
Department: Henson Robinson Zoo
Position Title: Zookeeper – Seasonal
Reporting Authority: General Curator
Classification: Non-Exempt – Bargaining Unit Position
Salary: Per Contractual Wage Scale
Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Henson Robinson Zoo’s General Curator, zookeepers are responsible for the overall care of the animal collection, facilities, displays, and exhibits. Zookeepers are also involved in supporting the zoo’s education and conservation efforts and promoting positive guest experiences through interpretation and professional conduct.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Prepare animal diets following the prescribed diets determined by the General Curator and follow proper animal feeding procedures.
- Clean animal exhibits, walkways, grounds, and other facilities within exhibit areas in accordance with the established Standard Operating Procedures.
- Performs daily observations of animals and exhibit facilities. Reports any abnormalities in animal behavior, animal health, exhibit security, and safety to their immediate supervisor or other member of management.
- Must be able to recognize signs of illness that might occur in captive wildlife. Carries out and keeps accurate records of medical treatments as prescribed by Zoo’s Veterinarian and General Curator.
- Recommends improvements in animal care procedures and schedules, exhibit maintenance, and safety.
- Utilizes proper restraint techniques with animal and human safety always in mind: this includes the agility to safely net and maneuver with injured, aggressive, or handling neonate animals.
- Successfully secure animals, their enclosures, and other associated structures.
- Must follow all established occupational safety and emergency procedures, ZAA (Zoological Association of America) animal husbandry standards, and USDA licensing standards.
- Participate in established animal training and enrichment programs designed to stimulate natural behaviors and enhance animal well-being.
- Engage positively with zoo guests in formal and informal encounters, always remaining courteous while answering questions, enforcing rules, and educating.
- Performs maintenance work on exhibits facilities, grounds, and landscape, including minor repairs.
- Required to operate power tools, lawn care equipment, vehicles, traverse ladders and other equipment to repair and maintain the facility.
- Work collaboratively with others to maintain a positive and professional team environment.
- Perform all other duties as assigned by the Director and General Curator, or designee.
- Must be able to safely work in all weather conditions; including snow and humid conditions typical of central Illinois.
- Ability to work weekend, holidays, after hour events, and some travel for animal shipments or continuing education is required.
- Days off are normally set. However, flexible scheduling may be required at times for institution needs.
- Seasonal Zookeepers will function as relief keepers covering multiple animal areas.
- Seasonal Zookeepers are typically laid off for 3 months in between seasons.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Associate degree in zoology, biology, or closely related discipline, or one year’s experience in the care of animals in a zoological institution, or a suitable combination.
- Most be able to safely work with a wide range of taxa including reptiles, raptors, primates, domestic barnyard animals, and large carnivores.
- Basic computer knowledge, including the use of record-keeping systems and Microsoft Office applications.
- Must be able to multi-task and adjust to changing procedures, schedules, and time constraints.
- Must be able to work independently and as a part of a team with good communication skills, a high degree of responsibility, and attention to detail.
- Must be able to use a two-way radio.
Physical Demands: Based on an 8 hour workday
Never= 0 hrs. Rarely 0-2 hrs. Occasionally 2-4 hrs. Frequently= 4-6 hours Continuously= 6-8 hours
- Sit: Rarely
- Stand: Frequently
- Walk: Frequently
- Bend: Frequently
- Squat: Occasionally
- Kneel: Frequently
- Crawl: Rarely
- Climb: Rarely
- Reach: Frequently
- Overhead reaching: Occasionally
- Grasp: Frequently
- Push/Pull: Occasionally
- Twist/Turn: Frequently
- Lift: 11-60 lbs occasionally
- Lift : 1-10 lbs frequently
- Stairs: Occasionally
- Ladders: Rarely
Other:
- Ability to lift heavy objects (60 lbs) from ground level, move approximately 10 feet and perform this at least 5 times in succession without danger of injury
- Ability to withstand heavy outdoor labor in extreme weather conditions.
Corrected Vision must include:
- Seeing 20/20
- Normal Depth Perception
Corrected Hearing must include:
- Normal frequency sensitivity
Speaking skills must include being understandable when speaking:
- In person
- On the telephone or radio
General Requirements:
- Must be able to read and write and have good command of the English language.
- Good oral and written communication.
- Physical capabilities – lifts 60 pounds, squat, bend and move as necessary for the job.
- Must be able to perform basic mathematics.
- Must have basic proficiency of Microsoft Excel and Word.
- Must possess valid Illinois Driver’s License.
- Must possess professional phone skills and work well with the public.
- Must present a neat and professional appearance.
- Responsible to follow policies and procedures outlined in Springfield Park District employee manual.
- Must live within a 50-mile radius from Bunn Administration building 2500 S 11th Springfield IL 62703 in the State of Illinois or must be willing to move to such a compliant location within the first 6 months of acceptance of a position with the Springfield Park District.
Benefits:
- Paid time off includes 5.5 holidays, 4 sick days, and 2 personal days per season.
- Paid boot allowance in second season worked.
- Paid Employee Assistance Plan.
- IMRF pension plan and 457B
- Free/Discounted Park District Programs
The Springfield Park District is committed to the provisions of Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action to its applicants regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, age sex, marital or veterans’ status, national origin, disability or any other legally protected status.
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