Animal Diet Technician

Nashville Zoo

Animal Diet Technician

Position: Full Animal Time Diet Technician

Department: Veterinary

Supervisor: Commissary Manager

Description: Under the general supervision of the Commissary Manager, employee will serve as a Full Time Commissary Diet Technician at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. The Commissary Diet Technician is responsible for the daily preparation of diets including all duties related to diet preparation for all the animals in the collection within the Zoo and for outreach programs as necessary. Employee is responsible for diet preparation, cleaning and sanitizing work areas and work materials, unloading supplies and running errands as needed. Must maintain effective communication with co workers and supervisors, be able to muli-task and absorb change, maintain a high level of consistently accurate kitchen skills including use of knives and be able to focus for extended periods.

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Responsible for the accurate preparation of diets in accordance with diet menu specifications for all required departments.

· Drive a zoo vehicle for the purpose of retrieving and or delivering supplies and materials.

· Unload various supplies from trucks and vendors using a pallet jack when needed.

· Responsible for maintaining clean and sanitary conditions of food preparation areas including counters, floors, coolers, freezers, grain rooms, supply areas

· Operate various types of equipment in the performance of duties such as grinders, blenders, food processors, dishwashers, scales, pallet jacks etc.

· Maintain effective communication with co workers and supervisors.

· Maintain effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities in an ever changing environment as described by the Commissary Manager.

· Interact and communicate with co workers, immediate supervisor, vendors, veterinarians and visitors as needed.

· Perform other duties as needed.

· Model the Zoo’s image and code of professional ethics in words and actions at all times

Skills:

Requires the ability to understand and follow procedures as described by Commissary Manager. Requires the ability to read, understand and follow a variety of policy and procedural manuals. Requires the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently using animal care and diet terminology. Requires the ability to effectively, efficiently and accurately prepare diets.

Requires the ability to multi task, focus for extended periods and communicate/absorb and respond to change.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to physically operate a variety of machines and equipment including grinders, automobiles and trucks, pallet jacks, food processors, computers etc. Must be able to carry, pull or move weights of up to 50 pounds on a consistent basis. Must be able to remain on feet for extended periods of time. Must be able to safely and efficiently use knives and other equipment used in diet preparation. Must be able to pull lift and or carry weights of up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Education:

Requires a High School Diploma with twelve months of general work experience. Must possess a valid driver’s license. Zoo and/or kitchen prep experience is desirable.

Pre-employment requirements:

Offers for this position are contingent on the satisfactory results of a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check.

Special Note:

Applicant may be required to work any combination of five days in the seven-day workweek including holidays.

Hours: 40 hours per week

Qualifications