Under the supervision of the Zoo Director and Animal Care Supervisor provides a wide range of skilled work involving the care of animals. Maintains detailed, hand-written and electronic records. Cares for a variety of animals. Uses a variety of techniques to capture and move animals when required. Provides positive visitor experiences and educates the public at formal talks. Cleans animal holding areas and operates a wide range of animal care equipment. Must always strive to maintain best practices as established by AZA and exceed USDA guidelines.

Essential Functions:  

1. Performs a wide range of skilled work for the care of animals at the zoo. This may include diet preparation, diet distribution, feeding, bathing, grooming, providing enrichment, operant conditioning, welfare assessments, safe animal restraint, transportation, exhibit inspections, research, cleaning (raking, sweeping, hosing, scrubbing, etc.) and administering medicine. 

2. Provides daily assessment of health and behavior of animals in assigned animal area. All concerns regarding animal care and zoo policies reported to a supervisor immediately.

3. Maintains detailed, hand written and electronic records regarding the care of animals and work assignment progress as directed.

4. Interacts positively with the public, co-workers, and volunteers including responding to animal inquiries verbally and in writing, leading educational talks and tours as scheduled by the Animal Care Supervisor.

5. Assists animal health staff and zookeeper 500 in the planning of births, care of newborn animals, animal holding, capture, restraint, and transportation as necessary.  

6. Serves on committees as assigned by the Animal Care Supervisor.

7. Responds to emergency situations as necessary, keeps up to date on all facility protocols and procedures, and participates in all assigned training.

8. Stays current in best practices pertaining to animal husbandry and welfare in order to maintain high standards of animal care and welfare as required by AZA. This may be accomplished through textbooks, online media, contact with staff from other institutions and/or by seeking out professional development courses, workshops and job shadows.

Zookeeper I :

Education:  *A minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent with one (1) year of college level course work in animal husbandry is required. *

*Experience:  *A minimum of two (2) years of experience in the care of exotic animals and the maintenance of exhibits is required.  AZA accredited facility experience preferred.

Zookeeper II: All of the above qualifications plus:

• Minimum three (3) years of PPZ Zookeeper I experience or three (3) years full time experience at an AZA facility and one (1) year Zookeeper I at PPZ.
• Comprehensive understanding of animal care operations for all four seasons.
• Knowledgeable of USDA and AZA standards and able to demonstrate how these guidelines pertain to animal care and welfare.
• Demonstrate the skill set to assist in the training of other animal care employees including cleaning, diet preparation and distribution, operant conditioning, enrichment planning and implementation, safe animal restraint and transport, keeper talks, encounters, and record keeping/communication.
• Ability to mentor less experienced Zookeeper I and seasonal in a wide range of skills including behavior observations, animal welfare evaluations, and time management.
• Must have experience as a primary animal trainer for three (3) established behaviors for exotic species.
• Must have participated in 40 hours of professional development related to animal care within the previous three (3) years.

* Zookeeper III : All of the above qualifications plus:<*