Job Description:
Job Title: Lead Keeper of Small Primates
Department: Primates
Reports to: Curator of Primates
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Status: Full-time salary. Pay commensurate with
experience. Zoo Atlanta is committed to regularly evaluating keeper salary.
Who we are: Minutes from downtown, Zoo Atlanta is the
oldest and one of the most respected cultural destinations in the
Southeast’s largest and most vibrant city. Culture, dining, nightlife,
and famously eclectic neighborhoods, not to mention a temperate
climate year-round, attract a growing number of newcomers to the
one-and-only Atlanta. Atlanta is known as the “City in the Trees,”
with the Zoo and surrounding neighborhood showcasing why. The zoo is
in a strong financial position and is committed to investing in our
staff and facilities to continue our focus on animal care, research,
and conservation. We offer competitive pay rates, a diverse animal
collection and an enriching work environment. We are looking for new
team members dedicated to providing the best in animal welfare.
As an organization, Zoo Atlanta’s points of pride include being one
of only three zoos in the U.S. to house giant pandas; home of one of
North America’s largest populations of great apes; and a longtime
reputation for excellence in the care and study of reptiles and
amphibians. Our mission sets us apart, and every day at Zoo Atlanta is
an opportunity for discovery, a chance to contribute to conservation,
and a way to make a difference in the lives of the people of our community.
What we offer: As a workplace, Zoo Atlanta is very
proud of a commitment to diversity and inclusion and a competitive
compensation and benefits package. Benefits include but are not
limited to outstanding medical coverage and 403b retirement program
match; vacation time buy and sell; professional development training;
paid time off for community volunteering; and more.
Perks for this full-time position include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and other supplemental insurance
- Relocating stipend for qualifying new employees
- Retirement Savings Plan (403b) with employer match after 12 months
of service
- Paid time off includes vacation, sick and personal days plus holidays
- Tuition assistance program
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee short term and long-term disability insurance paid for by
Zoo Atlanta
- Opportunities for professional development paid for by Zoo Atlanta
- Local discounts and free admission to partnering attractions
- Complimentary family Zoo membership
- Discounted pricing on individual and family education programs,
such as Safari Camp, Twilight Trek, NightCrawler, Survival Safari, and much more!
- Join the standby list for free behind-the-scenes
encounters with elephants, lemurs, giant pandas, aldabra tortoises!
Who you are:
The Lead Keeper is a supervisory position that also plays an active
role in regular animal husbandry. Lead Keepers are responsible for
implementing departmental activities and staff training for the area.
The Lead Keeper is responsible for overseeing animal welfare and
husbandry, including training and enrichment. Additionally Lead
Keepers are responsible for maintenance of habitats, holdings, and
public areas as assigned. Working with the area curator, the Lead
Keeper is required to provide and promote positive leadership in a
team environment. The Lead Keeper reports to the area curators as part
of a cohesive management team. For more information about our
mission, animal, conservation, and research programs visit www.zooatlanta.org. The Lead Keeper is
responsible for day-to-day management of the small primates and
manages, along with the curator, four primary keepers and interns
throughout the year. Zoo Atlanta’s small primate department is home to
8 primate species, over 35 individuals, all living in dynamic mixed
species habitats. They include 2 large mixed species African monkey
exhibits, 1 mixed species lemur exhibit with 3 species, and 2 new
world primate habitats. We are the only zoo in North America to house
drill monkeys (1 male and 3 females) and manage one of the largest
groups of Angolan colobus monkeys (11 monkeys). The small primate
department also cares for 3 sloths (breeding) that live with golden
lion tamarins. In the next year, we are looking to update and expand
our new world primate exhibit to include additional species. We are
looking for someone with positive energy to help lead the small
primate team during this exciting time.
How to apply: Please apply directly on the Zoo Atlanta Careers website at www.zooatlanta.org/careers
ESSENTIAL DUTIES, SKILLS, AND RESPONSIBILITES:
- Must be willing to support Zoo Atlanta’s strategic plan, mission
and values and work with all zoo staff to support these plans.
- Must be able to demonstrate leadership through example by
supporting Zoo Atlanta’s strategic plan, mission and values, and
work with all zoo staff to support these plans.
- Maintain a high-performance level of excellent animal care.
- Take an active role in coordinating efforts pertaining to the care
of the collection including training, enrichment, research, and education.
- Complete behavioral management training provided by Zoo Atlanta
and utilize operant conditioning and enrichment techniques.
- Complete animal welfare training provided by Zoo Atlanta,
participate in animal welfare assessments, and implement
follow-through on animal welfare action items when necessary.
- Effectively monitor health and behavior of the animal collection
and communicate changes to supervisor and veterinary staff.
- While the Lead Keeper must be able to function as a team member,
they also must be willing and able to provide necessary leadership
and mentoring to staff.
- Actively support, develop, and participate in the improvement of
area policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure the highest
standards of care for the collection and the safety of staff and guests.
- Maintain the highest level of safety in the work area through
implementation of safety protocols and procedures.
- Use positive interpersonal skills to form, foster and maintain
professional relationships within the work environment.
- Maintain a high-performance level of guest interactions including
scheduled on-ground talks.
- Takes action to advance and promote department function and
productivity and motivates others to do the same.
- Demonstrate initiative towards continually improving advanced
keeper duties including excellent animal care.
- Highly proficient at communicating with supervisory staff and
co-workers both written and orally.
- Oversees daily reports, logs, animal records, diets, and protocols.
- Demonstrates the ability to positively manage keeper staff,
volunteers, and interns.
- Actively assists others in expanding and developing their job knowledge.
- Must be able to work independently.
- Responsible for special projects, procedures, and goals set forth
by the area curator.
- Demonstrates the ability to meet challenges with a
solution-oriented approach.
- Must set an example by being dependable and reliable: be timely,
be responsive, be organized, meet deadlines, take responsibility,
and help other zoo staff as needed.
- Actively pursue opportunities to participate in workshops,
seminars, activities, and conferences aimed at continually improving
job knowledge and professional development with the goal of
benefitting the Zoo Atlanta organization.
- Promote communication and information sharing between the
zoological community.
- Responsible for special projects, procedures, and goals set forth
by area department curator.
- Employees must strive to decrease our environmental footprint to
serve as models to our patrons to do the same through education and example.
- Must be able and willing to work flexible hours, weekends, and holidays.
- Must be able to be trained and carry pepper spray.
- Must be willing to comply with department PPE policy.
- This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive;
therefore, the employee may be required to perform other reasonably
related duties as assigned by management.