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Zookeeper

Employer
San Joaquin County
Location
Lodi, California, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
May 24, 2022

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Sector
Aquarium / Zoo / Botanical garden
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Amphibians
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Full time
Introduction

Housed inside of Micke Grove Park, Micke Grove Zoo is a five-acre zoo with amphibians, mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates, located just south of Lodi, a quaint town in the middle of the California Central Valley's wine country. Halfway between the mountain landscapes of picturesque Lake Tahoe, and the buzzing metropolis of San Francisco and the Bay Area, our County enjoys the extensive network of waterways of the San Joaquin Delta.

The animal collection of Micke Grove Zoo emphasizes uniqueness and quality over size and quantity. As a proud participant of AZA's Species Survival Plans (SSP), Micke Grove Zoo is committed to the conservation of threatened and endangered wildlife, and uses every opportunity to educate students and zoo visitors on wildlife issues in a small and intimate setting.

Micke Grove Zoo is seeking a full-time Zookeeper. This position is responsible for the care, enrichment, and training of assigned animals and does routine maintenance and enhancement of animal exhibits and support facilities.

Please click "Apply" above, or on the following for more details about San Joaquin County.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

TYPICAL DUTIES

  • Monitors the health and well-being of living animal collections by noting physical or behavioral changes, and takes appropriate action; observes for signs of illness or injury, including diet consumption and other variables used to assess animal condition; records and reports problems and consults with supervisory staff and veterinarian as necessary; captures, moves or isolates animals as circumstances require, ensuring safety of the animals, staff and the public.
  • Prepares and distributes animal diets; prepares meals according to prescribed needs of animals; adds dietary supplements; maintains safe and sanitary food preparation and storage areas; monitors food and supplies inventory; prepares lists and orders food and supplemental items; rotates stock to ensure fresh food supply.
  • Cleans, disinfects and maintains animal exhibits and veterinary facilities; removes waste; cleans and disinfects water bowls and water areas; rakes and disposes of leaves and litter; makes minor repairs to maintain integrity of enclosures; monitors for pests and predators; checks operating systems and makes seasonal adjustments as conditions require.
  • Provides animal enrichment to simulate natural conditions; researches natural behavior and habitats; plans and implements training projects; documents effectiveness of enrichment provided; identifies and installs appropriate exhibit furnishings, such as perching, nest sites, foraging areas, resting platforms, landscape materials.
  • Prepares, distributes, and documents medications, and provides health care under veterinary direction; may calculate and measure restraint drugs; captures or restrains animals for veterinary care procedures and animal management needs; monitors animals during post-operative recovery period.
  • Maintains exhibits, grounds, service areas, and support facilities to provide a safe, attractive and healthy environment for animals, and the public; maintains operations of aquatic systems; monitors equipment to maintain required safety standards for zoo species and the public; assists in planning or design to update or create new exhibits.
  • Supervises and inspects volunteer staff work; trains volunteer staff.
  • Interacts with zoo visitors and general public; explains and enforces zoo regulations and policies; provides information on animal natural history, care and conservation; answers routine questions by zoo visitors; makes presentations to community groups; communicates with professional peers on questions affecting species management and care.
  • Provides safe transport of zoo specimens for acquisition, disposition and/or veterinary medical needs and provides species-appropriate temporary housing as required.
  • Prepares records and reports regarding zoo activities, as required.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from a four year accredited college or university with major coursework in biology, zoology, wildlife management, wildlife ecology, animal behavior, or a closely related field.
Experience: One year paid experience caring for zoo animals and/or exotic species in a zoo or similar setting.
Substitution: Additional qualifying paid experience caring for zoo animals and/or exotic species in a zoo or similar setting may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
ANDSpecial requirements: 1) Upon job offer, incumbents must successfully pass a tuberculosis test and maintain a negative tuberculosis test for duration of employment; 2) receive inoculation for rabies within six months of employment.
Certifications: 1) Obtain First Aid/CPR certificate within six month of employment; and 2) obtain firearm safety training certificate within six months of employment.
License: Possession of a valid California driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE

Basic principles of biology and zoology, including animal identification and natural history, taxonomy, physiology, behavior, nutrition; animal enrichment practices; principles of ecology and population management; basic husbandry principles, including safe food handling and storage and pest control; knowledge of research methods; zoo animal preventative medicine principles and practices; general veterinary terminology and equipment; symptoms of animal illness; basic first aid; basic sanitation, tools and practices; kinds and uses of basic cleaning materials and equipment; exhibit and grounds maintenance and repairs; zoo practices and procedures; safety procedures, including accident prevention and response; hazards of working with wild animals, including restraint practices; basic computer and modern office automation technology, including pertinent software.

ABILITY

Identify changes in animal behavior or physical condition; follow oral and written directions; interpret and apply zoo regulations and procedures; physically handle and/or restrain wild animals, including safe use of darting equipment or firearm; work safely and effectively with wild, delicate and potentially dangerous animals; perform basic mathematical calculations and make accurate measurements; operate a variety of related tools and machinery for exhibits and/or maintenance; operate variety of motorized vehicles; operate computers and related software; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers and the public.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Mobility -Operation of a data entry device, constant walking and standing for long periods, pushing/pulling, bending, squatting, crawling, driving; Lifting -Frequently 5-50 pounds; Vision - Good overall vision, color perception, depth perception; reading and close-up work; normal hand and eye coordination; good field of vision/peripheral; Dexterity -Normal dexterity and repetitive motion; Hearing/Talking -Frequent hearing and talking on the telephone/radio and in person; Special Requirements -Working weekends and holidays; may require overtime evening work; Emotional/Psychological -Frequent public contact and decision making; frequent concentration required; occasional exposure to dangerous situations, including trauma, grief and death; working alone; Environmental -Frequent exposure to noise, cold/heat, hazardous materials, dirt, dust, fumes, and varied weather conditions.

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