What are the responsibilities and job description for the Keeper, Animal Nutrition position at Saint Louis Zoo?
Responsibilities: This position is responsible for daily, bulk, food preparation and delivery to animal buildings. This includes diet preparation using kitchen equipment, safe food handling, maintaining food quality, keeping inventory records and assisting in the Zoo’s animal browse program. Maintaining the standards required by AZA and USDA for cleanliness and organization for a world class Nutrition Center are a must.
Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent required with a four-year college degree preferred. Candidates must be able to work both independently and collaboratively as part of the Nutrition Team.
Our Nutrition Department is responsible for creating a quality diet for our animals which is a vital component to our efforts to ensure the overall well being and care. Because of this, this position requires the ability to lift bales of hay weekly, the ability to climb in and out of the truck cab routinely, and deliver produce, meat, fish and bagged feeds weekly. It also involves standing for long periods of time and lifting up to 70 pounds. Applicant will be required to work in extreme temperatures including a sub-zero freezer and outdoors in all conditions. It requires the candidate to obtain a Class E driver’s license (if a Missouri resident) and drive Nutrition’s box truck on narrow pathways within the Zoo.
A successful applicant will be detail-oriented, able to quickly pivot mentally with immediate needs and great at problem solving. This job will require working in Excel and Word, having strong communication skills, being flexible and gifted with patience.
While this description can sound intimidating, it can also be stimulating, energizing, and fun. We are fortunate to work with every animal area in the Zoo. We get to know all of the keepers by name and understand that we play an essential part in keeping the animals healthy.
This position will work a Sunday through Thursday schedule beginning at 5 a.m. until 2 p.m. with an hour for lunch. It will also require working some holidays and being able to shift schedules for emergency coverage. Once chosen, the person will be required to submit to a criminal background check and drug test. The successful applicant must demonstrate a service mentality, a positive attitude and align with the Saint Louis Zoo’s values and mission.
Education
Required- High School or better
