Lehigh Valley Zoo
Lead Keeper
Summary: Performs tasks associated with the husbandry and maintenance of domestic and native and exotic wild animals in an education- and conservation-oriented zoological park. To provide effective team leadership for animal care staff, supervising keepers, interns and volunteers while performing daily keeper tasks. Will coordinate with other lead keeper to report to curator and plan and implement animal collections events, including, but not limited to, vet procedures, exhibit renovations, staff training sessions, and animal introductions Will occasionally be involved in conservation and AZA programs. Expected to provide exceptional visitor service.
Responsibilities:
- Clean exhibits, holding pens and zoo grounds.
- Prepare established diets and feed animals.
- Observe, evaluate and report animal behavior and conditions on a daily basis.
- Maintain exhibits, animal areas and associated fixtures and grounds.
- Report maintenance needs.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the use of hand tools, power tools and equipment.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and implement zoo-wide and area emergency procedures.
- Perform routine animal handling.
- Assist the veterinary staff in capture and restraint, administration of prescribed medications and procedures as necessary.
- Coordinate health and other medical procedures with the veterinary department.
- Implement behavioral enrichment for the collection.
- Interact with zoo visitors through animal presentations, scheduled and informal keeper talks to create a positive guest experience.
- Participate in the interview, education and evaluation process of keepers, interns and volunteers.
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
- Submit work orders for repairs and maintenance of facilities.
- Inspect animal and related facilities, create to-do lists and prioritize list with lead keeper partner and with the General Curator on a weekly basis.
- Assign routine and non-routine tasks.
- Assume zoological leadership role in the absence of the General Curator.
- Keep the General Curator informed on all relevant issues on a daily basis, and a formal weekly basis.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the animal management team.
Skills/Knowledge Qualifications
- Must be able to maintain good working relationships with staff at all levels, internal and external to Animal Programs.
- Must be knowledgeable in the management of captive populations including related AZA conservation programs.
- Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently.
- Must be proficient in learning and integrating information, knowledge, and direction quickly, and completing tasks as needed.
- Must be able to effectively lead and train keepers and interns in a positive and engaging manner.
- Must be able to effectively supervise, train, and constructively evaluate staff, both formally and informally.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in perceiving and acting upon relevant changes in animal behaviors and conditions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, team building, and people management skills are required.
- Good interpersonal skills with the ability and desire to work as a lead team member of the Animal Care department.
- Good decision-making skills. Ability to integrate and apply knowledge and prior experiences to affect or implement changes and make sound independent judgments where appropriate. Must be able to maintain good working relationships with staff at all levels, internal and external to Animal Programs.
- Strong animal handling skills, and the ability to interpret handling to trainees.
- Possess a wide knowledge of natural history and animal husbandry.
- Good physical strength and endurance. Able to lift and manipulate grain bags, hay bales, equipment and crated animals.
- Willingness to learn necessary skills and safely use power tools and equipment.
- Able to follow written and oral direction, exercise good judgment, and apply safety precautions applicable to the work.
- Knowledge of operant conditioning techniques.
- Ability and willingness to work in all climatic conditions.
- Must be willing to work weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hour assignments, including 1 set weekend day per week.
- Possess valid driver’s license.
Experience Required:
- B.S. degree in zoology, biology, wildlife management or related field
- Minimum of three years previous experience with captive animals in a zoological facility.
- Previous supervisory experience preferred. May consider an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and ability for the job.
- Experience with venomous animals a plus or willingness to learn such.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following have been identified as physical requirements of the job:
- The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.
- Ability to drive Zoo vehicles.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, reach or feel and manipulate snakes, objects or controls.
- Stand for long periods of time.
- The employee is frequently required to sit, walk distances, climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel and crouch.
Experience Required
3 years minimum working with a variety of exotic animals. Preference will be given for AZA-accredited experience. Experience in supervising preferred.
Perks
Benefits package, PTO, and paid holidays
How to Apply
Please email cover letter and resume to Samantha Wegman, General Curator, at swegman@lvzoo.org
Lehigh Valley Zoo
PO Box 519 5150 Game Preserve Rd
Schnecksville, PA 18078
Phone: 6107994171
Fax: 6107994170
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