Seasonal Animal Care Worker - Potter Park Zoo

Zoo Temporary Position

Under the supervision of the Animal Care Supervisor assists keepers in the daily husbandry tasks. Also receives direction from Keeper 500s and Guest Experience Supervisor. Maintains hand-written and electronic records related to animal care. Provides exceptional husbandry for animals as assigned. Provides excellent guest services at all times. Must always strive to maintain best practices as established by AZA and exceed USDA guidelines.

Performs a wide range of basic animal husbandry tasks. This may include diet preparation and distribution, bathing, grooming, providing enrichment, exhibit inspection, stocking and cleaning (raking, sweeping, hosing, washing, scrubbing, etc.). Helps maintain AZA and USDA standards of cleanliness in keeper areas and storage areas. Interacts positively with zoo visitors and coworkers creating an exceptional guest experience. Provides daily assessment of health and behavior of animals in assigned animal area. All observations and concerns must be reported to a full time keeper in the associated animal area immediately. Maintains hand written and electronic records regarding the care of animals and work assignment progress as directed. Responds to emergency situations as necessary and keeps up to date on all facility protocols and procedures.

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent. Experience: Prior animal experience and customer service experience preferred. Other Requirements: Must have a negative TB test. Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with all individuals to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.

Working Conditions: This position works in both an indoor and outdoor environment. While indoors, there is no planned exposure to notable lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions. While outdoors, exposure to lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions cannot be controlled and may be extreme. This position operates non-powered hand tools such as utility knives, hammers, pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, chisels, saws, etc. This position is exposed to variety of hazards such as traffic, moving vehicles, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, slippery surfaces, chemicals, cleaning solutions, oils, hazardous materials, etc. This position is exposed to air quality conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation, etc. This position is exposed to noise levels which require shouting in order to be heard. This position is exposed to communicable diseases, blood, other body fluids, etc. This position works closely with domestic and wild animals with unpredictable temperaments. This position is provided, and required to use, Personal Protection Equipment to minimize the risks associated with the working conditions listed above.

Physical Requirements: This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, traverse, climb, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, crawl, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers. This position's physical requirements require continuous stamina in sitting, standing, walking, traversing, climbing, balancing, twisting, bending, stooping/crouching, squatting, kneeling, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, grasping, handling, pinching, typing and enduring repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers. This position performs heavy work requiring the ability to exert more than 50 pounds of force in the physical requirements above. This position primarily requires medium visual acuity to perform tasks at arm's reach such as operating machinery, operating vehicles or heavy equipment, performing cleaning tasks, etc. This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone. This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer. This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.