Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Imagine if you were given an opportunity to connect with others who want to keep our community the most livable and safe it can possibly be. Are you looking for a full-time position working with animals? If so, you may be a great addition to our Zoo Team. Make a difference with the City of Hutchinson!

The Swing Zookeeper performs the full range of activities required for the care and management of animals in a municipal zoo collection including maintaining a safe, healthy, clean, and attractive living environment and provides courteous assistance to the public. The employee should possess excellent public relations, organizational, and communication skills.

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

• Provides care for a variety of animals in the zoo in a support role for area keepers on their days off;
• Observes, interprets, and documents animal behaviors, health status, and food consumption; Advises supervisory staff of problems or concerns; Provides animals with adequate diets, fresh water and activities to maintain animal physical and psychological well-being; Provides care for animals such as vaccinations and medical treatments; Provides proper habitats for the collection of animals;
• Maintains indoor and outdoor cages, enclosures, exhibits, holding cages and service areas by cleaning, disinfecting and performing general maintenance to these areas as needed; Conducts inspections of their areas and grounds to ensure animal well-being and the security of City property; Assists with injury rehabilitation, behavior modification and enrichment programs for animals; Provides animal with interactive items and activities to relieve stress and boredom; Provides exercise for animals as needed; Assists the veterinarian in the evaluation, diagnosis, medication, medication dosage calculation, and treatment of diseased animals; administers first aid to injured or sick animals;
• Performs preventative or routine maintenance of animal environments including collection, installation, and/or maintenance of furnishings and substrates; Assists with planting of landscape materials; Opens and closes zoo buildings and grounds and assists in providing security during public hours; Assists in providing
zoo visitors informational, promotional, and educational opportunities.
• Understands principals of operant conditioning methods for use in husbandry and animal welfare application;

WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR SUCCESS:

EDUCATION:
A minimum of an associate degree in zoo science or a related field from an accredited college or university is required. Bachelor's degree in an applicable science-related field is preferred. Prior paid experience in the animal care industry may be a substitute for a degree.

EXPERIENCE:
1-3 years of work experience in a zoological, wildlife park or a closely related environment is required. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within six months of employment. Experience with a variety of species, but especially birds, is preferable for this position.

C ERTIFICATIONS/LICENSE: This employee must possess a valid Kansas Driver's License.

The City of Hutchinson employs 400 employees that serve our community every day. City employees make Hutchinson a great place to live, work, and play. We take pride in our work and it shows. Come be a part of a workforce that makes a difference! We're always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team.

City of Hutchinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

All employees will be asked to consent to background and drug screening prior to starting employment.

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