Temporary Animal Ambassador Zookeeper

Temporary part-time position is assigned to the - NC Zoo in Asheboro - Randolph County. Positions will work flexible schedules based on business needs. Will be required to work weekends, holidays, and may be requested to work after hours or early morning special events.  While temporary this position does have the possibility of rehire after a 35-day separation period. 

More information about the NC Zoo's temporary positions -  http://nczoo.org/seasonal-jobs  
 

Primary Purpose:

The Zoo's Conservation/Education/Science (CES) department maintains its own ambassador animals and is responsible for overall care and management of this collection. This includes, collection planning, animal acquisitions and dispositions, animal care (insuring physical and behavioral animal well-being), animal propagation, animal training and animal behavioral enrichment programs. CES staff facilitates, conducts and develops all on-site research, with a particular focus on animal welfare and behavioral monitoring as well as education evaluation.
The position will provide animal care and wellness to animal ambassadors and participate in the Zoo’s Behavioral Management program which includes goal-based enrichment and operant conditioning to help provide the animals under their care with choice and control within their lives. Animal Ambassador Zookeepers will also provide animal encounters to a wide variety of audiences.

Key responsibilities:

• Care and handling of animal ambassadors and upkeep of their facilities, including but not limited to basic husbandry of all animals including cleaning, feeding and providing water, detailed observations, and basic maintenance of habitats and animal ambassador space
• Presenting informal educational programs using live animal and biofacts to a wide variety of audiences including school groups of all grades, families, seniors, and special needs groups
• Assisting with animal training of animal ambassadors using operant conditioning
• Creating, implementing, and evaluating behavioral enrichment to elicit species-specific behaviors
• Assisting during medical procedures, administers medication, and provides specialized care as directed by staff veterinarians
• Responsible for basic record-keeping 
• Maintaining working knowledge of all relevant policies and procedures
• Reviewing, understanding, and implementing safety rules and standards and assist with basic upkeep of work area
• Participating in continuing education opportunities as available to improve content knowledge and skills
• Required to successfully complete animal handling training with all species and individuals

Job Requirements:
 

• Must be available to work a rotation schedule between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. over 7 days a week. Will be required to work weekends, holidays, and may be requested to work after hour or early morning special events. Typical work week is 32 hours

• Ability to capture, handle, and restrain live exotic and domestic animals and use associated capture equipment

• Required to successfully complete animal handling training with all species and individuals

• Must be able train and handle animal ambassadors such as, snakes, turtles, lizards, tarantulas, cockroaches, millipedes, salamanders, and frogs/toads

• Must have a valid North Carolina driver’s license

• Must possess physical ability to lift up to 25 pounds, climb stairs and ladders, work in tight spaces, stand for the majority of the day, endure extended outdoor field conditions at any time of the year, negotiate uneven outdoor terrain on foot, and drive motor vehicles at day and at night

• Ability to work in a variety of environmental conditions both indoors and outdoors (extreme temperatures, all weather conditions, outdoor allergens, dust, fumes, odor, loud noises uneven walking surfaces, etc)

• Must comply with NC Zoo Dress Code and Appearance Policies

To learn and more and to apply - https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/jobs/3882748/temporary-animal-ambassador-zookeeper?keywords=zoo&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs