Ambassador Animal Keeper

Location

Chattanooga, TN | United States

Job description

The Chattanooga Zoo is looking for an exceptional individual to fill our Ambassador Animal Keeper position. The ideal candidate will have a passion for working with animals. This position is responsible for the routine animal husbandry duties to maintain care and wellbeing of ambassador animals. This position is responsible for the daily care of the animals in the Ambassador Animal area including the administration of regular food, water, and medications. Will also be responsible for training and enrichment with all animals in the area daily. This position is responsible for maintaining area compliance with USDA and AZA regulations and standards. This position involves extensive guest communication.

Responsibilities:

• Monitors animal behavior routinely to ensure health and wellbeing.
• Provides appropriate food and water for each individual animal's needs.
• Administers routine medication to animals.
• Assists the veterinarian with medical treatments, physicals, and procedures as needed.
• Prepares and distributes animal enrichment items.
• Commence training programs.
• Works with animals in an area on training behaviors.
• Daily record keeping and data entry into ZIMs.
• Maintain zoo habitats. This may include cleaning, washing, mowing, trimming, and installing new fixtures in the enclosure.
• Interacts with zoo guests to answer questions, guide guests, administer first aid, or enforce zoo policies.
• Hold public animal chats, training and enrichment demos on the assigned schedule.
• Assist with animal meet and greets and animal encounters on a regular basis.
• Assists in area training for new employees
• Maintains area compliance with USDA and AZA regulations and standards.
• Assist in the preparation and operation of special events after normal zoo hours as needed.

Keeper staff are required to work weekends and holidays as the animal care schedule necessitates. A Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required. At least one year of paid animal care experience in an AZA institution is preferred. Strong public speaking skills are required.

The Chattanooga Zoo is a member of the Tennessee Drug Free Workplace program. A pre-employment drug test, tuberculin skin test, and a back ground check will be performed.

Due to the number of applications, we cannot take calls for this position. You will be contacted if you are selected for an interview. All applications are taken online through the Chattanooga Zoo's website:

The Chattanooga Zoo has adopted a smoke-free campus to serve as a leader in promoting a healthy workplace and environment.

The Chattanooga Zoo is a member of the Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace program . This position requires pre-employment screenings which will include: a drug screen, tuberculin skin test & background check.

Job tags

Salary

$14 per hour