Keeper III - Endotherms

Position: Keeper III

Salary starting at: $20.00/hr for Keeper III

Position Summary:

With our upcoming building expansion set to open in fall of 2025 we are excited to seek candidates with an extensive background in bird and mammal care to join our Endotherm team. The position includes all aspects of animal care under the direction of the Curator and Assistant Curators of Mammals and Birds.

The bird and mammal collection includes but is not limited to: North American river otters, Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth, Asian small-clawed otters, clouded leopards, binturong, Matschie's tree-kangaroo, Antarctic penguin species, Asian columbiformes, South American passerines, keel billed toucans, curassows, parrots.

Institutional Summary:   

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium provides learning opportunities for all levels, interests, and ages, with the mission to inspire people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems since 1997. Since opening its new facility in Draper in March 2014, the Aquarium has welcomed over eight million visitors and provided more than 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to more than 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium showcases ecosystems from around the planet including kelp forests, coral reefs, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, Asian cloud forests, South American rain forests, and the waterways of our home state of Utah. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019. With a new expansion currently under construction and slated for completion in late 2025, LLPA will soon be the largest aquarium in the Mountain West, and 5th largest aquarium overall in the continental United States.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Cleaning and maintenance of equipment, supplies, animal habitats, and support spaces associated with the mammal and bird collections.
• Monitoring and maintaining appropriate environmental parameters for terrestrial habitats.
• Providing high-level animal care and nutrition to animals within the endotherms collection.
• Monitoring and assisting in responding to signs of illness/injury, stress, or other factors that may impact animal health and wellbeing.
• Maintaining all necessary records and reviewing those records regularly in support of ensuring excellent animal care.
• Responsible for supporting institutional and industry best practice standards and procedures.
• Supports excellent animal wellbeing through enriching environments\interactions and training.
• Mentoring and training colleagues in areas of expertise to expand team skillsets.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Two or four-year degree in zoological or biological sciences. Candidates with a suitable combined equivalent of education and hands-on experience will be considered.
• 4 years of paid experience as an animal care professional at a zoological facility.

Critical Competencies:

• Experience with clouded leopard and/or felid breeding programs highly desired
• Experience with otter breeding programs highly desired
• Good interpersonal verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Maintaining a consistent professional attitude, high motivation, and ability to accept feedback.
• Interest in developing efficiency, good time management, and demonstrated desire for growth.
• Knowledge of ZIMS software is a plus.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

•  Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire.
•  CPR/First Aid certification or the ability to obtain it in-house upon employment. 
•  Must possess current, negative TB test results or obtain prior to start.
• Scuba certification preferred, if not certified willingness to become certified in the future.

Special Working Conditions:

• Outdoor and indoor environments in varying weather conditions including: elevated platforms, aquatic habitats, uneven surfaces, enclosed spaces, noisy workspaces.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs, ability to swim, ability to stand for long periods of time, ability to walk up and down ladders, ability to work with various cleaning chemicals, ability to operate power tools or heavy machinery, ability to drive aquarium vehicles.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Living Planet Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or military status.   The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process.  Should you require accommodations, please contact accommodation@livingplanetaquarium.org.

Salary : $20