Animal Keeper

Duties & Responsibilities

• Involve in bird husbandry (including training and
  enrichment)
  
• Setting up aviaries for exhibiting to the public
  considering both the bird’s and the public’s needs)
  
• Reporting to supervisor.
  
• Excellent animal care.
  
• Feeds, waters, and cleans quarters of bird’s
  collection.
  
• Adds vitamins or medication to food as prescribed
  by Vets under supervision.
  
• Fills water containers and places food in cages or
  aviaries as specified.
  
• Cleans bird’s quarters, using rake, water hose,
  and disinfectant.
  
• Observes birds to detect illnesses and injuries
  and notifies supervisor or vet health care department of findings. Monitoring birds’ health, breeding conditions
  and behavior.
  
• Involve transportation from one enclosure to
  another for purposes such as breeding, rearrangement of exhibits, or shipping
  if needed.
  
• Sets temperature and humidity controls of
  quarters as specified.
  
• Hand raising if needed
  
• Handling, Captures and restrains animal.
  
• Hygiene management to prevent
  disease.
  
• Ability to build relationships
  with animals.
  
• Visitor interactions including
  scheduled on -ground talks to our guests, answers visitors' questions concerning
  bird habits or zoo operations.
  
• Completes daily worksheets listing the
  amount of food eaten, etc.
  
• Maintain the highest level of
  safety in the work area through implementation of safety protocols and
  procedures to ensure safety for the animal and visitors.
  
• Participate in and support
  collaborative efforts pertaining to the care of the collection including
  training, enrichment, research and education.
  
• Actively foster constructive
  attitudes and a team orientation among staff.
  
• Contributes to conservation
  activities as assigned.
  
• Support the goals of EPZ departments’
  collection plan, strategic and Master Plans.
  
• Oversee activities of interns and
  volunteers.
  
• Participate in workshops, training
  sessions if needed to improve job knowledge and professional development.
  
• May assist vets in treatment of
  animals for illnesses and injuries.
  
• May assist animal trainer or
  instructor in presentation of programs, shows, or lectures.
  
• A large percentage of duties are
  performed outdoors in various weather conditions, ranging from rain, wind, cool
  to cold weather, and extreme heat and humidity.
  
  
  

Requirements

·         High school, zoology,
or related field is preferred.

·         One year of prior
animal care experience (paid) at a controlled environment facility.

·         Good communication
skills, an enthusiasm for interacting with the public and a willingness to give
regular talks to visitors, special groups, etc.

·         Familiar with operant
conditioning and enrichment techniques. 

·         Must be able to
function as a team member and support zoo’s mission 

·         Must be dependable and
demonstrate flexibility regarding work schedules

·         Must be willing to
work weekends and holidays

·         Must be able to work
outdoors in inclement weather

·         Must be able to
perform strenuous work and lift at least 25 kg repetitively, bending, lifting
etc.

·         English is must,
Arabic is preferred.​

·         Must be willing to
work with different cultures and nationalities.