Animal Care Assistant - Adventure Trails

Job Title: Animal Care Assistant - Adventure Trails 
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Classification: Seasonal (starting in May)
Hours: 7:30AM - 4:30PM, Thursday - Monday (approximately 15 weeks at 40 hours per week totaling 584 hours)
Pay Rate: $15.40/hour

This is a seasonal position with a maximum duration of six months, based on individual performance and business operations. The exact end date will be determined by the official start date. 

Summary:  

We are seeking an entry-level Animal Care Assistant to join the Children’s Adventure Trails team in the Interactive Animal Programs (IAP) Department. The Animal Care Assistant supports Keepers with the husbandry, behavioral, and welfare management of all the animals in their department according to OHDZA, AZA, and USDA guidelines. The Animal Care Assistant is expected to be competent in operant conditioning and public presentation of a variety of animal species in both formal and informal settings. Additionally, the Adventure Trails Animal Care Team is highly involved in working with Education Adventure Guides, Zoo Academy students, interns, and other Animal Ambassador Handlers. This position has a high level of public interaction. This position reports directly to the Supervisor of the Children’s Adventure Trails. 

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to): 

• Daily husbandry, training, and enrichment of the Children’s Adventure Trails animal collection. 

• Develop and participate in animal ambassadors’ presentations, facilitating positive and meaningful interactions with the Zoo guests, in both formal (Meadowlark Theater) and informal settings. 

• Maintain trained animal behaviors for medical procedure participation and species natural behavior demonstration to enhance animal ambassador programs. 

• Assist with student education efforts including Zoo Academy, shadows, interns, and classes.  

• Assist with the maintenance of the department’s buildings, animal exhibits, and structures including cleaning, painting, light construction, etc. Along with the maintenance of Zoo grounds including plant care, raking, weeding, trash collection, etc. 

• Assist Zoo guests and facilitate their needs. 

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Valid State Driver’s License is required. 

• Must be 18 years of age or older. 

• High School Diploma or GED required. Pursuing B.S. in Biology, animal science behavior or related field, preferred. 

• Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Programs: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 

• Experience working with animals, preferred. 

• Familiarity with basic animal training techniques, theory, and application, preferred. 

• Able to learn relevant and factual information about a diverse group of animals. 

• Effective and engaging public speaker. Strong desire to engage guests to become lifelong stewards for the conservation of animals and their habitats. 

• Self-motivated within a team setting and as an individual. 

• Communicate with and work well with all types of people. 

• Able to maintain a positive attitude while balancing multiple priorities. 

• Able to exhibit good judgement in making decisions. 

• Infectious positive attitude and sense of humor. 

Candidates might be (depending on position) required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative skin tuberculosis test. 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort: 

• Will sometimes work extended/odd hours including weekends, holidays and some night programs. 

• Must be able to walk long distances across the zoo. Working in various weather conditions. 

• Must be able to stand, sit, kneel, bend, twist, reach above head and climb. 

• Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds using safe and proper lifting methods. 

• Working environments can include exposure to salt water, fish, shellfish (shrimp), nuts, hay, grass. 

• Exposure to physical and zoonotic disease risk. 

DISCLAIMER 

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.  

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC. 

Salary : $15