What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Care Keeper (Animal Training Focused) position at Lincoln Children's Zoo?
At Lincoln Children’s Zoo, our mission is to enrich lives through interaction with living things. We provide hands-on experiences for more than 250,000 guests per year and care for over 400 creatures. We are champions of STEM education through camps and programs, and help families make memories by producing special events and experiences throughout the year.
As a team, we are serious about using our Core Values to guide our actions:
1. We are there for each other.
2. We generate enthusiasm.
3. We are humble.
4. We go above and beyond.
For additional information, please visit: https://issuu.com/lincolnchildrenszoo/docs/general_keeper
Position Overview:
An Animal Care Keeper (training heavy position) is responsible for ensuring the care, husbandry, and welfare of animals within the Zoo. They work to educate visitors, create diets for animals, and ensure comfort and compliance with their natural habitats. They are an important member of the zoo staff and ensure the animals are properly cared for. This position will be a “swing” position, working with all species at our zoo (giraffes, carnivores, birds, small mammals…) and we are looking for someone with a strong background in operant conditioning.
Essential Job Functions:
- Responsible for the daily husbandry, welfare, training, and reproduction management.
- Ensures the safety of the animals, staff, and public.
- Conducts keeper talks and presentations.
- Responsible for creating, maintaining, and documenting enrichment programs, continually making progressive changes and improvements.
- Communicates with the animal care and veterinary leadership team regarding all health and welfare concerns.
- Facilitates and participates in training for medical procedures, in conjunction with veterinary team.
- Responsible for creating an environment where animals are given the greatest opportunity to exhibit natural behaviors while enhancing the guest experience.
- Continue to uphold the Zoo’s mission on site, at Zoo functions, and whenever in Zoo attire.
- Works to train animals and help team members train animals for both ideal welfare/medical events as well as comfortability for public training demonstrations.
- All other duties as assigned.
Preferred Talents
- Ability to interact with the public in an engaging and welcoming manner.
- Ability to work as an effective team member as well as function independently.
- Ability to multi-task and be detail oriented in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong communication skills.
- Exceptional operant conditioning talents.
- Comfortable giving public demonstrations and tours.
- Positive Attitude.
- Accurate record keeping.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science, Life Sciences, Biology or related field preferred.
- One to two years developing and implementing training plans focusing on operant conditioning and welfare based outcomes.
- One to two years of experience working with wildlife in a professional setting, or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Weekends
- Holidays
Ability to Relocate:
- Lincoln, NE 68502: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
Please send materials (resume, cover letter, and contact of 2 references) to Courtney Thorson (cthorson@lincolnzoo.org)
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18.50 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $19