Keeper Associate

Keeper Associate

Position: Keeper Associate
Department: Animal Care
FLSA Status: Exempt. Part time/full time/seasonal non-benefited
Reports to: Animal Care Supervisor
Salary: $11.00/hour

The Lincoln Children’s Zoo is rated among the nation’s best zoos for children by Parent Magazine, the zoo is home to over 400 different animals and 40 endangered species.

Lincoln Children’s Zoo Core Values:

  • We are there for each other.
  • We generate enthusiasm.
  • We are humble.
  • We go above and beyond.

Position Summary

The Keeper Associate position supports the LCZ keeper team with daily husbandry and care of our animals under general supervision of the full time keepers.

Wrangler Roundup: Domestic goats, chickens, ponies and camels.
Pony Rides: Seasonal leased ponies.
The Hive: Variety of small reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
Critter Outpost: Small mammals and birds.
Jungle Outpost: Small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Nutrition/Commissary: Diet preparation, dish washing, washing enrichment, and maintaining animal kitchen standards.
Giraffe, Primate, Carnivore, Birds, Animal Kingdom: Assist keepers with cleaning exhibits, bedrooms and pools.
Veterinary Hospital: Provides assistance with maintaining cleanliness in the hospital and washing and delivering laundry to the animal areas.

Essential Job Functions:

  • Responsible for the husbandry, training, enrichment and welfare evaluations for all animals in assigned area.
  • Responsible for the supervision, mentoring, and evaluation of youth volunteers.
  • Keep all areas of assigned string, clean and organized including but not limited to guest viewing area, keeper areas, storage areas, and office spaces.
  • Follow all safety guidelines and demonstrate ability to make good decisions regarding the welfare of participants and animals.
  • Ability to multi-task and be detail oriented in a fast-paced environment.
  • Provide excellent and professional communication with all LCZ staff, volunteers, and guests.
  • Create a positive guest experience.
  • Create a positive working environment for all.
  • Foster a respectful, caring, and professional attitude with the Zoo Crew and teen participants.
  • Continue to uphold the zoo’s mission at the zoo and zoo functions as well as whenever in zoo attire on and off zoo grounds.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Talents

  • Experience working with animals in a paid or volunteer setting. Including being involved in 4H, FFA, or Pony Club.
  • Experience with operant conditioning
  • Ability to interact with the public in an engaging and welcoming manner.
  • Ability to work as an effective team member as well as function independently.
  • Must be able to act in a responsible and mature manner, using common sense.
  • Ability to remain calm and think rationally under pressure.
  • Must be available for weekends, nights, and holidays.

Qualifications

  • Preferred 18 years of age, but strong horse/livestock experience will be taken into consideration for ages 16-17.
  • Experience with horses is strongly preferred.
  • Experience and/or strong interest in supervising and educating teens.
  • Experience and/or strong interest in animal science, environmental education, fisheries and wildlife, or related field.
  • Ability to work long hours on your feet.
  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
  • CPR and first aid training is a strong plus.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands or arms, climb or balance, talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Working Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to indoor and outdoor conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but there is potential for working outside in extreme weather conditions both hot and cold.

To Apply: 

Send a resume and cover letter to Olivia Wells, olivia@zellehr.com

  • Visitors in 2022
    Visitors in 2022

    349,564

  • CAMPERS IN 2021
    CAMPERS IN 2021

    1,864

  • CREATURES CARED FOR
    CREATURES CARED FOR

    400