Zookeeper (Carnivore)

The Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium welcomes applicants to join our carnivore team as a zookeeper. Come and work with Amur Tigers, Snow Leopards, American Red Wolves, Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, Coastal Brown Bears, Lions, African Painted Dogs, Meerkats, and much more. Zookeepers are responsible for the specialized work involving all the health and welfare of native and exotic animals through feeding, enclosure maintenance, behavioral observation and training, enrichment, and health care maintenance and treatment.  

Essential Functions
•    Provide all aspects of daily care for the animals in assigned exhibits and holding areas.
•    Innovative animal husbandry that is in compliance with AZA and USDA standards.
•    Preparation and feeding of approved diets.
•    Monitoring of physical and behavioral aspects of the animals under assigned care.
•    Implementation of the behavioral program of the animals under assigned care, which includes the animal training (operant conditioning) and enrichment programs.
•    Designing and maintaining proper animal enclosures/props/exhibits.
•    Utilizing preventative husbandry techniques and providing proactive health care as required.
•    Provide proper care for neonates and young (may require care outside of normal working hours).
•    Maintain exhibits and holding areas in a clean, aesthetically pleasing, and presentable condition at all times.  Includes performing general maintenance and repair of exhibits: painting, repairing fences and shelters, abating erosion, removing weeds, and snow removal.  Maintains the cleanliness of other areas such as breakrooms, hallways etc.
•    Observe the animal collection for any signs of illness, lethargy, injury, or dietary problems and report any problems to the Veterinarian, Area Supervisor, and/or Animal Care Director.
•    Assist the Veterinarian, Area Supervisor, and/or Animal Care Director in routine animal examinations and medicate animals with any prescribed treatments.
•    Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, as well as interact and communicate well with the general public.
•    Maintain daily reports, medical records, enrichment logs, and other records as needed in the assigned area.
•    Give presentations to guests regularly (Keeper Chats) and answer guests' questions about animals and exhibits.  This engagement of Zoo’s guests should extend to being willing to provide Behind the Scenes area tours, participate in media-related events, participate in public relations projects, and work on special events in the area as necessary.
•    Capture, handle, and move animals using accepted Great Plains Zoo practices to facilitate internal movement, external shipping, medical procedures, or normal routines.  Perform basic restraint, crating/uncrating, and transport of animals as required, and must have the ability to operate various sizes of animal squeeze cages.
•    Other duties as assigned by the Area Supervisor, and/or Animal Care Director

Competency

Must be able to follow written and oral instructions.

Must be flexible, self-motivated, enthusiastic and a team player.

Must demonstrate punctual attendance, reliability and good time management skills.

Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.

Must be able to shoot rifles, shotguns and capture dart guns as required and/or directed to assist in the animal escape and recovery plan.

Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint).

Required Education and Experience

Requires a bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science or other related degree; or an equivalent level of work experience and education as determined by the hiring authority.

Preferred Education and Experience

Previous animal training and/or Zookeeper experience.

Experience in an AZA accredited facility is preferred

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position helps to oversee and train Junior Zookeepers, interns, volunteers and seasonal employees; however, this position does not have any direct reports.

Work Environment

Must be able to tolerate and be exposed to strong odors, toxic or caustic chemicals, dust, hay, animal fur/hair/dander, and wet or humid conditions (non-weather) and all variable outdoor weather conditions.

Physical Demands

Ability to ascend and descend ladders and stairs as needed

Capability to lift and move crates, animals, or equipment weighing up to 70 lbs.

Proficiency in operating various equipment such as mowers, weed eaters, hay elevators, and motorized carts

Skilled in handling fire hoses effectively

Competence in operating vehicles including tractors, dump trucks, and pickup trucks

Capacity to load and maneuver wheelbarrows with loads of up to 150 lbs.

Agility and flexibility to navigate around animals in exhibits, corrals, and holding areas

Demonstrated hand and finger dexterity for tasks such as handling small equipment and operating controls

Strong visual acuity to accurately assess and respond to situations involving animals, equipment, and work environments