Senior Keeper - Elephants

Job Title: Senior Keeper - Elephants

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Classification: Full-time

Hours: 40 hours/week

Pay Rate: Range starts at $20.49/hour

Summary:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven animal care professional to join our team as a full time Elephant Senior Keeper.  Multigenerational herd management is the core of this elephant program. Our focus is with maintaining and improving female herd dynamics, facilitating natural breeding, and providing for appropriate male social opportunities. We strive to provide the maximum amount of choice and control to our elephants with everything that we do. The elephants are managed in a protected contacted system following AZAs Standards for Elephant Management and Care. Individuals must function as a part of the elephant team to ensure a safe and productive work environment. Duties will include but are not limited to all aspects of the daily management of African elephants including daily cleaning and exhibit maintenance, feeding, enrichment, detailed record keeping, behavioral observations, browse collection, general maintenance, public demonstrations, and all other duties as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• General exhibit and holding area cleaning and maintenance.

• Planning, implementing, and evaluating daily behavior-based enrichment.

• Detailed record keeping, following the AZA Standards for Elephant Management and Care.

• Collection and identification of approved browse species.

• Daily husbandry training via protected contact utilizing positive reinforcement.

• Behavioral observations.

• Preparing diets and following feeding schedules.

• Assisting with veterinary care.

• Public training demonstrations and keeper chats.

• Regular team meetings.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Minimum of 4 years' experience at an AZA accredited institution. Related experience and demonstrated expertise at a non-accredited AZA facility may be considered at the discretion of the General Curator.

• Must consistently receive favorable annual evaluations regarding all aspects of job performance.

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate of Science degree in a zoo technology program or four-year degree in zoology or related field is preferred.

• Successful candidates will have demonstrable experience with operant conditioning techniques utilizing positive reinforcement.

• Completion of AZAs Principles of Elephant Management 1 is a plus.

• Successful candidates will also be familiar with or capable of learning the safe use of various power tools and heavy equipment including but not limited to chainsaws, drills, power augers, and a Bobcat or similar equipment.

• The ability to work well as part of a team, by listening and contributing. Must possess effective verbal and written communication skills.

• An understanding of environmental enrichment, its importance, and implementation.

• The ability to follow all protocols and standard operating procedures to assure the highest level of animal welfare.

• A thorough understanding of and strict adherence to the Occupational Safety Guidelines for elephant care professionals.

• Be able to give/receive constructive criticism regardless of prior experience.

• An ability to work in a fast paced and dynamic environment.

• Great attention to detail in all aspects of their work and record keeping.

• Basic computer skills for data entry utilizing Microsoft programs.

Candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative skin tuberculosis test, and possess a valid drivers license with a good history.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Will sometimes work extended/odd hours including weekends, holidays and some night programs.

• Must be able to walk long distances across the zoo. Will routinely work outdoors for prolonged periods in the weather and temperature extremes common to Omaha, Nebraska. The position involves working within 4+ acres of outdoor exhibit space and a 25,000 square foot elephant barn.

• Exposure to biting flies and mosquitos is likely.

• Employees will be regularly exposed to water, chemicals, loud noises, dust, hay, animal dander, etc.

• Must be able to stand, sit, kneel, bend, twist, reach above head and climb.

• Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 70 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds using safe and proper lifting methods.

DISCLAIMER

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.