What are the responsibilities and job description for the Zoological Aide - Elephant Barn position at Metro Parks Tacoma?
Based on our internal equity review process, the starting hourly wage for this position will be $16.65 per hour
Work where you play!
Join our team at Metro Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.
Who We Are
Metro Parks Tacoma (MPT) is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Metro Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70 parks, 80 miles of trails, 1,000 acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.
Why You’ll Love it Here
Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Metro Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Metro Parks are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.
Position Information
SPECIAL NOTE: The Elephant Barn building has active Tuberculosis and all staff that work in that area are required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This PPE decreases the potential transfer of the Zoonotic disease to staff but does not eliminate it entirely. Candidates who are offered an interview will be given additional information and the opportunity to ask questions of a TB expert to determine if they are comfortable working in the area.
Under the direction of the Assistant Curator, this position is responsible for performing specialized work in the care, observation and maintenance of an assigned zoological area at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and/or Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.
In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:
- Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
- Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
- Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
- Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
- Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.
Under the supervision of full-time Staff Biologists, this position is responsible for assisting with daily maintenance and husbandry of the species in the assigned zoological area; animal diets/food preparation and feeding; exhibit cleaning and general maintenance; animal health observations; medical treatments; record keeping; informal public demonstrations and education interpretation; other duties as assigned.
· Must be at least 18 years old.
· College experience in biological sciences desirable.
· Previous animal care experience preferred.
· Must be able to communicate effectively and follow written & oral instructions.
· Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays.
SEE ABOVE NOTE ABOUT TUBERCULOSIS.
Must be willing to submit to TB testing via blood draw twice yearly and before start date.
HOURS:
Up to 29 hours per week. Hours and days per week may vary.
ENVIRONMENT:
Indoor and outdoor environment.
Adverse weather conditions.
Cold water while interacting with animals.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
Lifting and carrying heavy objects or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
Pushing. Climbing. Walking.
Kneeling and crouching to work with and feed animals.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized equipment and tools.
HAZARDS:
Exposure to potentially dangerous and sick animals.
Exposure to animal bodily fluids/products. Chemicals, fumes, odors, poor ventilation and noise.
Contact with irate visitors.
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
MPT employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
MPT is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource (253) 305-1089 or angelas@tacomaparks.com.
Employment is subject to a national background check.
This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement.
Salary : $17
