Zookeeper, Herpetology & Entomology

Req #970

6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USAApplyShare

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 1:00 AM

Under the direction of a Zoo Supervisor, the Zookeeper is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations associated with the husbandry of the animals and the maintenance of animal enclosures within a specified Houston Zoo animal program. This position will coordinate all program objectives in addition to day-to-day husbandry and enclosure maintenance. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities 

• Carries out all aspects of the daily care of assigned animals including cleaning, feeding, exhibit maintenance, general upkeep of support facilities. 
• Maintains clean and organized exhibits, holding areas, service areas and equipment. 
• Prepares and feeds appropriate diets as per established feeding practices and diet sheets. 
• Administers prescribed medications, supplements, or treatments under the guidance of the veterinary and supervisory staff. 
• Records and reports any abnormal animal health or behavioral issues to the Zoo Supervisor. 
• Maintains daily reports, logs, training and enrichment records, research or veterinary records, as appropriate and according to established guidelines; requires basic skills with TRACKS and Microsoft Office software applications. 
• Understands and applies a practical understanding of operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under his/her care. 
• Understands and applies the basic principles of animal enrichment as part of the daily management of species under his/her care. 
• Maintains clean and organized exhibits, equipment, and keeper areas. 
• As appropriate, maintains water quality through filtration, balance of chemical elements, and sanitation methods for aquatic or semi-aquatic animal species. 
• As appropriate, maintains live exhibit plantings to enhance exhibit aesthetics; eliminates weeds and toxic plants from animal enclosures. 
• In conjunction with the Zoo’s pest control officer, may assist in pest control through the use of exclusion or traps. 
• Identifies potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to the Zoo Supervisor. 
• Participates in keeper chats, tours, animal presentations or demonstrations, and/or other public interactions as requested by the Zoo Supervisor. 
• May assist with departmental research projects, conservation, AZA, or other industry activities as directed/approve by the Zoo Supervisor or Curator; provides support for the Zoo projects 
• May oversee work activities and/or provide training for interns, seasonal workers, or volunteers. 
• Exhibits good teamwork and communication skills both within the home team and when working with other teams or departments. 
• May be required to safely operate a motor vehicle. 
• Contributes to saving animals in the wild through:  reduction of waste, water and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife protecting actions  
• Performs other duties as assigned 

Education and Experience  

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• One year of experience in animal care at an AZA or equivalent facility, gained through employment, internships, or volunteer experience. 
• Experience with species in captivity, in a conservation setting.  
• Experience with basic carpentry and mechanical skills. 
• Must have or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license.

About Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.

Join the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities. Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimer 

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as a complete inventory of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.     This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.    Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.  

Benefits  
Full-time, regular positions are offered the following benefits.

• Medical and Prescription Drug
• Vision 
• Dental 
• Basic Life AD&D (100% Employer Paid) 
• Short Term Disability (100% Employer Paid) 
• Long Term Disability (100% Employer Paid) 
• Supplemental Life 
• Flexible Spending Account / Health Savings Account
• 401k, with employer match

Full-time and Part-Time, regular positions are offered the following additional benefits. 

• Free Zoo Membership 
• Free Guest Passes 
• Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission and Programs 
• Free parking    

Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer    

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Details

Job FamilyAnimal OperationsJob FunctionStaff LevelPay TypeHourly