What are the responsibilities and job description for the Zoo - Commissary Float Keeper position at City of Idaho Falls, ID?
General Purpose
The Idaho Falls Zoo, owned and operated by the City of Idaho Falls, is excited to expand the Animal Care department! We are seeking a skilled, energetic individual to fill this brand-new, full-time, benefitted Commissary – Float Keeper position. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the General Curator and Animal Care Supervisor. This position is approximately 50% Commissary-related duties and 50% Animal Care duties. Commissary duties include diet preparation, food inventory and ordering, and maintaining safety and hygiene standards within the commissary space. Animal Care duties include providing relief coverage to every area of the zoo as needed, daily support of dangerous animal routines (e.g., providing secondary lock coverage or assisting with projects in potentially dangerous animal exhibits), and other husbandry duties as assigned. This role will join a 9-keeper team in caring for a collection of approximately 300 animals; with a diverse collection, no two days are the same at the Idaho Falls Zoo!
Southeast Idaho is a year-round outdoor recreationist’s paradise. We are within 2 hours of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, and just 3 hours from the Salt Lake City International Airport. The zoo is a 7-acre (but expanding!) community attraction that welcomes over 100,000 visitors each season. The zoo is closed to the public during the winter months.
Essential Functions
Commissary Duties
Daily duties include accepting and properly storing feed deliveries, such as hay, grain, produce, and frozen prey items.
Prepare and store animal diets using food-safe practices while maintaining facility cleanliness.
Store, label, date, and rotate all feeds appropriately to maintain quality and comply with governing regulations.
Report diet changes as requested by Animal Staff to the Veterinarians via appropriate documentation and implement recommended diet changes.
Keep diet books up to date with changes in animal collection numbers and diet changes.
Oversee and train volunteers or interns inappropriate practices to prepare and store animal diets and cleanliness of the commissary spaces.
Assist with effective and continual pest control.
Animal Keeper Duties
Prepares animal feed and feeds animals according to specified diets.
Cleans and disinfects animal enclosures and exhibits in accordance with the zoo policies and practices.
Inspects exhibits on a daily basis to assess overall condition and safety; performs minor exhibit and enclosure maintenance as needed. Ensures all safety and security protocols are followed.
Under the supervision of the veterinarian, administers oral or injectable medications to animals in the collection.
Provides enrichment for different animal species. Assist with animal training to improve animal management, provide enrichment, and promote visitor education.
Maintains appropriate and detailed records including, but not limited to daily animal behavior, feeding schedules, dietary needs, health problems, treatment schedules, enrichment and training, etc.
Assists in the capture and/or physical/chemical restraint and transportation of animals.
Maintains proficiency with darting equipment and firearms and serves on the firearms and emergency response teams.
Monitors zoo facilities to ensure the safety of zoo patrons and employees.
Assists with a variety of facility maintenance projects as needed.
The above-listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
A. Graduation from a 4-year college with a degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Behavior or a related field;
AND
B. Three (3) years of experience in the care of captive wildlife, preferably in an AZA institution;
OR
C. An equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Working knowledge of the general care and maintenance of animals; animal biology and behavior; operation of light equipment, such as pick-up, tractor, etc.; operation of common hand and power tools; basic math and writing skills. Ability to understand and follow routine verbal or written instructions; ability to learn quickly and adapt to unique requirements of zoo keeper work; ability to perform strenuous physical labor; ability to work safely in a potentially dangerous work environment; ability to follow established policies and procedures; ability to operate two-way radio; ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; ability to use firearms, tranquilizer guns, and other specialized equipment; ability to develop effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees, and the public. Maintain a positive attitude and a strong sense of accountability, fostering a collaborative team environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute. Thrive in a team environment, using your organizational and technical skills to ensure the smooth execution of creative projects that resonate with our audience. Celebrate the successes of your team and bring enthusiasm to your work, reflecting the joyful culture that is at the heart of the zoo. Stay adaptable and open to learning new skills, embracing change and innovation as opportunities to lead and grow.
3.
4. Preference will be given to candidates with the following attributes:
Work Environment