Senior Keeper - Great Apes

Job Title: Senior Keeper - Great Apes

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classification: Full-time

Hours: 40 hours per week with weekend and holiday availability

Pay Rate: Range starts at $20.49/hour

Summary: 

The Great Apes Senior Keeper provides daily husbandry and behavioral management for all mammals in the department with an emphasis on gorillas and orangutans. The Senior Keeper is expected to perform as a team mentor and communicate regularly with the supervisor and lead keeper regarding animal management, facility maintenance, and staff development. They contribute to departmental work assignments, the development of departmental goals and plans, and aid in establishing work priorities for the department, especially related to husbandry and welfare, and ensure compliance with all zoo policies and procedures. This position will help cultivate an understanding of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium’s mission to inspire, educate, and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for the conservation of animals and their habitats, while creating a feeling of purpose for the members of the team. This position reports directly to the Great Apes Supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions (include but not limited to):

Animal Husbandry and Welfare

• Responsible for the daily care of the department's animal collection, record keeping, animal enrichment, animal training, monitoring behavior, changes in animal health, and some exhibit maintenance.
• Assist supervisor and lead keeper with animal husbandry and welfare protocols and adherence to regulations according to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, AZA, and USDA/APHIS.
• Observe behavior of animals on both a day-to-day and long-term basis; notes any unusual behavior, signs of illness or injury, change in appetite, start of breeding cycle, or lack of compatibility with group members and reports same to supervisor.
• Administer medication or other treatments for illness or injury as directed.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of industry standards and respect institutional guidelines regarding animal welfare by regularly assessing the wellbeing of the animals.
• Cleaning all off-exhibit areas and areas visible to the public.

Training and Enrichment

• Assist in maintaining standardized training programs, including goal development and record keeping; includes assisting with currently established training programs while also developing personal animal training skills. This includes assessing, developing, implementing, and evaluating training practices that will enhance the daily animal husbandry of all collection animals.
• Participate in zoo wide animal training workshops.
• Assist in maintaining standardized enrichment programs using the life strategies approach developed for the zoo. This includes assessing, developing, implementing and evaluating enrichment practices to enhance animal husbandry. In addition, assist with the development of new enrichment projects for the department.

Team Leadership and Support

• Support the department supervisor and lead keeper with day-to-day management of keeper staff and interns.
• Cover department function and emergency response coordination in the absence of supervisor and the lead keeper.
• Train and mentor new animal care staff to apply operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under their care.
• Participate in daily team discussions and activities to aid in the growth and professional development of the team.
• Contribute to department planning and offer suggestions intended to improve upon current procedures.
• Demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements within the department.
• Assist other departments within the Zoo as needed.

Operations and Facilities

• Continually perform in a manner which supports a safe working environment.
• Assist with the monitoring, repair, and modifications of any system which supports the operation of any building associated with the department.
• Perform maintenance (planting, trimming, watering, mowing, etc.) of all plant life associated with the department and the exhibits.
• Provide progressive guest experiences including public speaking for educational experiences or events.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in an AZA accredited institution or related organization.
• Previous experience with gorillas, orangutans, and/or other primates in a zoological institution.
• Bachelor's degree in biology, animal science, behavior or related field is preferred.
• General knowledge of animal husbandry.
• Must be individually and independently motivated to continue expanding their knowledge base.
• Exotic/zoo animal husbandry experience required.
• Operant conditioning and goal-based enrichment experience required.
• Public speaking experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: 

• Proven knowledge of basic animal training techniques. Internal candidates should have completed the animal trainer materials and objectives or be working towards completion.
• Internal candidates should have completed ICS 100 and 700 or be willing to complete them. External candidates are given 12 months to complete the training. 
• Ability to gain the knowledge of all functions of the department including animal enclosures/habitats and overall building/grounds maintenance, including the ability to problem solve when issues arise.
• Willingness to provide and be open with information to coworkers, other departments, and staff to ensure everyone is continually informed.
• Have or develop the appropriate level of knowledge of the natural history and zoo housed primates.
• Demonstrate strong job performance and accountability.
• Excellent communication skills and conflict resolution.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as well as knowing when to delegate tasks.
• Requires excellent time management and staff/volunteer supervision skill sets.  
• Creative, positive, and self-motivated.

Offered candidates are required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug screening, and possess a valid driver’s license. A negative TB test is also required.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• The working environment will include both inside and outside activities.
• The ability to lift 70 pounds is required.
• Weekend and holiday availability required.
• This department manages dangerous animals; candidate must have a working understanding of maintaining safe conditions.
• Employees will be regularly exposed to water, chemicals, loud noises, dust, hay, animal dander, etc.
• Safely and responsibly use yard equipment, power and hand tools.

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.