What are the responsibilities and job description for the Variable Hour Animal Keeper - Birds and Herps position at Oregon Metro?
This is a variable hour role based on business needs. Cannot exceed 1040 hours in a 12-month calendar period. This position includes working some nights, weekends, and holidays, though these events are typically scheduled in advance, allowing you to plan your schedule.
Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.
The Birds, Reptile, and Small Mammal Dept is looking for a Variable Hour Employee Animal Keeper to help with day-to-day husbandry activities and additional essential job duties as listed below. This position will be responsible for the care of birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, freshwater otters, and other small mammals.
As the Variable Hour Animal Keeper you will
- Observe animals to identify normal and abnormal behavior, reproductive behavior, eating habits, health problems, injuries, and adjustment to diet changes or response to medication.
- Stay up to date on current industry care standards for the designated species, including but not limited to feeding strategies, introduction methods, breeding and rearing practices, social management, training practices and strategies, and engaging enrichment.
- As appropriate, utilize the principles of operant conditioning as appropriate to facilitate daily husbandry, behavioral modification, and medical procedures.
- Service a variety of animal environments including cleaning and disinfecting habitats, aviaries, pools, and food and water receptacles.
- Check conditions of animal environments to assess security and safety for animals. Initiate corrective actions for deficiencies.
- Feed animals in a species-specific manner, report on consumption and recommend diet modifications as needed.
- Initiate efforts and provide suggestions for breeding focused programs utilizing demonstrable knowledge of species’ natural biology and individual animal needs.
- Administer medications, as prescribed by veterinarians. Inform veterinarian and supervisor of response to medication or other treatments.
- Perform or assist with general husbandry tasks, assist with capture, restraint, or segregation of animals for transfer or medical treatment. This can include manual restraint of birds, reptiles, and small mammals.
- Conduct informative and professional talks and tours through area of responsibility.
- Keep concise, objective records regarding diet, daily animal health and behavior, births, deaths and transfers.
Attributes for success
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Contribute to a positive team atmosphere and contribute in a close, team-oriented environment.
- Passion for avian care, breeding, and conservation.
- Working knowledge of current avian incubation and hand rearing practices.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.
Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or related subjects relevant to the care of zoo animals AND
- Three (3) years professional animal keeper related experience OR
- Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.
Required qualifications
- Valid driver's license (Check will be completed for finalist at time of hire)
- Additional medical testing and/or immunizations (not already stated in this announcement) may be required as the duties of this position may require close contact with animal areas and enclosures where animals may be present.
Working Conditions
Duties may require prolonged strenuous efforts in hazardous locations, contaminated areas, enclosed spaces, at heights, under inclement weather, and in proximity to dangerous animals and other adverse conditions. Frequent reaching, walking, standing, lifting, stooping, or carrying of equipment and materials may be required. There may be frequent interruptions or irregularities in the daily work routines.
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply
If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
Like to have qualifications
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.
- Experience with incubation and hand-rearing of avian species.
- Preference will be given to to people that have at least 1 year of professional animal keeper experience working with birds
SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.
- A completed online application
- Responses to supplemental questions
The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.
- Initial review of minimum qualifications
- In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
- Consideration of top candidates/interviews
- Reference check
- Driving records check for finalist candidate
REPRESENTATON
This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LIUNA 483. It is classified as an Animal Keeper (VHE).
Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.
Questions?
Recruiter: Christina Rentas
Email: Christina.rentas@oregonmetro.gov
Equal employment opportunity
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.
Accommodation
Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
Veterans' preference
Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Hybrid Telework
Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
Pay equity at Metro
No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.
Online applications
Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
How to Apply
For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.
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Metro
Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.
As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.
The Oregon Zoo and Metro
The Oregon Zoo inspires visitors to learn about protecting endangered species and restoring native habitats and is the state's most popular paid attraction. The zoo’s roughly 320 employees welcome more than 1.5 million visitors each year.