Job Description:
About Zoo Atlanta:
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.
Job Summary:
Animal keepers are responsible for animal welfare and husbandry,
including training and enrichment. Additionally, animal keepers are
responsible for maintenance of habitats, holdings, and public areas as
assigned. The Keeper I will report to the area managers. For more
information about our mission, animal, conservation, and research
programs visit www.zooatlanta.org. Zoo Atlanta
is home to one of North America’s largest populations of gorillas. Our
Gorilla program is nationally and internationally recognized with our
research, training, enrichment, and animal care techniques
contributing to the world’s knowledge of ape biology, behavior, and
management.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES, SKILLS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Must be willing to support 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.
- Participate in and support collaborative 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 contribute to
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. Oversee
administration of medications as applicable.
- Actively support and implement 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 strong interpersonal skills to form and maintain positive
relationships within the work environment.
- Maintain a high-performance level of guest interactions including
scheduled on-ground talks.
- Positively promote and foster work that improves department
function and productivity.
- Communicates effectively with supervisory staff and co-workers
both written and orally.
- Write daily reports, logs, animal records, and other records as assigned
- Oversee activities of interns and volunteers.
- Responsible for special projects, procedures, and goals set forth
by the area managers.
- Must be dependable and reliable: be timely, be responsive, be
organized, meet deadlines, take responsibility, and help other zoo
staff as needed.
- 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.