Denver Zoois a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission to secure a better world for animals through human understanding.
Denver Zoo honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions — Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect and by embracing our Core Behaviors of: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do.
TheSeasonal Pachyderm Keeperadvances Denver Zoo’s mission and goals by assisting the animal care staff in providing the safe exhibition, handling, feeding, and husbandry of animals in the Pachyderm Department. The species in this area include black rhino, Nile hippo, greater one horned rhino, Malayan tapir, bighorn sheep, and Rocky Mountain goat.This position will work 40 hours per week for 6 months. The anticipated start date is May 2023.
Our staff is a dedicated and diverse group of individuals committed to providing quality care to our animals while creating moments of awe for guests. If you are a like-minded individual and thrive in a dynamic, fast paced and innovative culture, Denver Zoo is the place for you!
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Adheres to and promotes Denver Zoo’s mission, core values, and strategic initiatives.
- Provide innovative animal husbandry that is in compliance with AZA and USDA standards
- Provide reliable, competent animal care through:
- Preparation and feeding of approved diets.
- Monitoring of physical and behavioral aspects of the animals under assigned care.
- Implementation of the behavioral program of the animals under assigned care.
- Designing and maintaining proper animal enclosures/props/exhibits.
- Handling and restraining animals appropriately.
- Assisting with veterinary care and medical follow-up as needed.
- Utilizing preventative husbandry techniques and providing proactive health care as required.
- Provide proper care for eggs, neonates and young.
- Capture, handle, and move animals using accepted Denver Zoo practices to facilitate internal movement, external shipping, medical procedures, or normal routines.
- Enhance breeding possibilities through the recommendation and implementation of approved animal management techniques such as breeding efforts, behavioral enrichment, and operant conditioning.
- Interact with Denver Zoo guests in both formal and informal settings, providing insight about the animals and their care.
- Provide area tours, keeper talks and work special events in area of responsibility as needed.
- Coordinate the efforts of contractors and maintenance staff when they are working in animal areas.
- Record data and prepare assigned reports/records, (i.e. daily reports, enclosure logs, facility logs, water quality logs, etc.) and other pertinent data on the collection and facilities as required.
- Use appropriate equipment to perform essential duties.
- Cooperate and coordinate with other departments, (e.g., education, maintenance, horticulture) and outside contractors.
- Maintain professional working relationships with zoo team members and maintain a professional appearance.
- Actively participate in conservation, research projects, and educational programs as requested.
- Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees and work groups.
- Follow Denver Zoo safety protocols.
- Demonstrates a commitment to Denver Zoo’s Safety & Sustainability Policies by adhering to all environmental, safety, & health regulations, procedures, and goals.
Other Responsibilities and Duties
- Maintain flexibility and a positive attitude in a dynamic work environment.
- Ability to successfully complete multiple tasks within deadlines.
- Ability to work outside in varying climates.
- Performs various tasks as assigned.
Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications
- Working towards, or completion of, a Bachelor’s Degree in a science or animal-related field.
- Experience with exotic animal care is required.Previous intern experience with pachyderms at an AZA-accredited institution is highly preferred.
- Ability, with proper training, to work in all aspects of animal care, husbandry and training within the department in which individual is assigned.
- Work on weekends and holidays is required.
Position Conditions
- A cover letter is required to be considered for this position.
- Ability to pass a background check, pre-employment drug & alcohol screen
- Able to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Clear driving record.
- TB Test
Compensation
Hourly rate for this position is $17.29.
Benefits
This is a seasonal position and as such is not eligible for benefits at this time; however sick time is accrued.
Application Process and Timelines
Resumes / Completed applications must be submitted by March 15th, 2023.Review of applications will begin immediately. Denver Zoo reserves the right to close the position prior to this date.
- Please provide a cover letter to be considered for this position.
Denver Zoo is following all CDC guidelines.CDC states that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is the best defense against the spread of, and severe illness due to, COVID-19. Denver Zoo highly encourages our employees to be vaccinated. We do ask for employees to upload their vaccination card into our HRIS for documentation. This information is kept confidential.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply for this role.
Denver Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law.
www.denverzoo.org