DEPARTMENT: Zoo Animal Care

LOCATION: Hattiesburg Zoo

SHIFT: Generally 40 hours per week on a schedule requiring a mix of weekdays, weekends, evenings and holidays as required.

REPORTS TO: Animal Curator

Summary: Under the direction of the Animal Curator, performs scientific work in the care of zoo animals and the maintenance of zoo exhibits and facilities. Participates in the training, enrichment, dietary, record keeping and health needs of the animal collection. Participates in the aesthetics and maintenance of the various exhibits and participates with guest interactions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Observes and evaluates animal condition, behavior, and responses on a daily basis and reports any unusual situations to the supervisor, as well as any aggressive or potentially dangerous tendencies.
Maintains records on animal health and behavior, exhibits, diets, vet care, enrichment/training, etc.
Daily involvement in improving animal welfare by developing and implementing behavior modification and enrichment programs to elicit species-typical behaviors.
Utilizes positive reinforcement training techniques to shape and maintain behavior.
Responsible for maintaining exhibits and animal welfare standards in line with USDA and AZA guidelines.
Cleans (disinfects as scheduled) and checks integrity of animal exhibits and structures daily to ensure safety and welfare of animals, guests, and staff in accordance with established guidelines.
Maintains exhibit materials and landscaping, such as caring for plants in and around exhibits, cleaning and installing perches, nest boxes, bedding materials, feed containers, and decorative materials and understands how these will be used by animals and their safety.
Operates heavy machinery as needed.
Performs minor repairs and preventative maintenance to exhibits, reports any maintenance concerns they cannot be easily fixed to the manager, makes recommendations to improve
the safety, aesthetics, and functionality of facilities; assists in the completion of approved changes.
Prepares prescribed diets and follows feeding instructions noting consumption and conformance of foods; make change recommendations as needed; thoroughly cleans feed trough, bowls, and other containers;
unloads and replenishes hay; unloads food shipments.
Assists in the capture and restraint of animals, which may or may not be sedated; assists in administering prescribed medications and dietary supplements noting consumption and treating injured/sick animals.
Assist in the training, supervision, assignment and evaluation of volunteers and interns.
Assists in the presentation of educational programs and participates in daily guest interactions.
Takes on extra responsibilities when requested.

Qualification Requirements

Education and Work Experience:

Bachelor's degree in biological field and at least 3 years of experience utilizing positive reinforcement training at an AZA accredited zoo. Experience working with giraffes is required.

Essential Job Qualifications

Must retain a valid Driver's License and meet the eligibility requirements to drive while conducting company business.
Current TB test
Work outdoors in all types of weather and lift heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) Knowledge and Skills
Strong work ethic, self-motivated, committed to the vision of the Hattiesburg Zoo.
Ability to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with other employees and the general public.
Friendly with public and courteous to visitors, able to provide keeper chats and public encounters in a friendly manner.
Knowledge of behavioral management and operant conditioning and how they apply in a zoo setting.
Experience working with and training volunteers/interns.

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