Zoo Keeper

Job Summary:

The EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature, seeks an enthusiastic professional to join our dedicated and dynamic team. The successful candidate will provide excellent animal care and a positive guest experience. The Keeper works in all areas of animal husbandry including feeding, cleaning, record keeping, training and enrichment, behavioral observations, and exhibit maintenance for all of the museum’s live animals. The animal collection includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, aquatic animals, and insects. This position is responsible for current habitat design as well. Other responsibilities include formal and informal presentations to guests and developing conservation and education initiatives. Habitats are located both indoors and outdoors. The position is physically demanding and requires working in all weather conditions.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide daily care and maintenance of wildlife, including but not limited to diet preparation, exhibit cleaning and repair, capture and restraint, and medical care.
• Conduct behavioral observations, provide enrichment and daily training of animals utilizing operant conditioning necessary for husbandry care and stimulation.
• Train and oversee volunteers and interns in daily animal care, behavioral observations, and public education and act as a mentor to those coming up in the field
• Responsible for design and maintenance of current habitats
• Maintain daily files and records on animals in written and computerized form
• Work with the team to identify opportunities to educate guests on conservation issues
• Perform all physical aspects of the job, including shoveling snow, raking and hauling mulch, gutting exhibits, re-perching bird enclosures, clearing overgrowth and conducting pool drains and cleans, etc.
• Present formal and informal wildlife programs to the general public and groups at the museum and off-site, and interact with guests to answer questions
• Serve as the point person on several on-going projects and/or functions within the department.

Qualifications:

• Experience and knowledge in working with captive animals, preferably in a zoo/museum/aquarium setting including but not exclusive to birds of prey, medium to large carnivores, small mammals, and a variety of reptiles and amphibians.
• Experience in general plumbing, aquatic systems, or mechanical repair is desirable
• Experience in exhibitory techniques: design, maintenance and repair and modification
• Excellent observational and record keeping skills with great attention to detail
• Must be available to work weekends and holidays

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must be flexible and highly dependable
• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects, climb a 10-foot ladder and work outdoors in all conditions, including to assist with snow removal
• Must be able to move quickly and position oneself in order to capture animals in exhibits and on museum grounds using hand nets and/or snares
• Must be able to use a variety of tools (hand and power) and operate motor vehicles safely
• Computer skills in MS Word with a background in Species 360 record keeping
• Excellent communication skills and comfort with performance and/or public speaking, a flair for public presentation with and without a microphone
• A welcoming, professional, and gracious demeanor
• Must pass a CORI/SORI background check
• Must be fully vaccinated for rabies no later than three (3) months after hire date.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science in Biology, Animal Science, or a related field preferred
• One year of work experience relevant to animal husbandry in an AZA accredited institution or related facility

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.57 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays

Ability to Relocate:

• Worcester, MA 01604: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person