Zookeeper Farm/Americas

Description

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk is seeking to hire an enthusiastic and experienced Farm/Americas Zookeeper. Zookeeper positions play an essential role in animal care, welfare and ensuring safe working environments at the zoo where we maintain many rare, endangered and potentially dangerous animals. This work team at the zoo is small and this position plays a critical part of maintaining good standards of animal care, presentation and customer service to the nearly 500,000 visitors to the zoo each year. This position will be assigned to primarily work on the Farm/Americas team with animals housed within the Farm/Americas areas but may be required to work in any of the Animal Services areas as needed.

Department Starting Hiring Salary: $41,231.30

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Observes animals, checking for medical problems, changes in behavior, feeding habits, and overall well-being.
• Feeds animals as specified by curatorial and veterinary staff in accordance with nutritional and behavioral requirements.
• Cleans, disinfects, and maintains animal exhibits, enclosures, food and water dishes, pools, and other areas.
• Keeps daily records on each animal (behavioral observations, and exhibit integrity and maintenance, etc.).
• Supervises interns when required.
• Conducts animal demonstrations for zoo visitors and writes educational presentations.
• Must be able to handle and assist in the restraint and capture of animals.
• Must be able to lift heavy feed and manure receptacles and walk long distances.
• Must have knowledge of behavioral characteristics and handling procedures for assigned animals.
• Must have knowledge of animal restraint apparatus such as ropes, squeeze cages, catch poles, shifts, nets etc.
• Must be able to use tools and operate small equipment.
• Requires normal hearing and seeing capabilities and the ability to stand, bend, lift, stoop, push and pull.
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and work in a team environment.
• Must work in a friendly and professional manner with staff, volunteers, colleagues, and zoo visitors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

Academic courses or areas of concentration required to perform the required job duties:

Completion of a 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college OR an associate degree within a zookeeping or wildlife professional program.

One year of experience as an Animal Caretaker in an AZA accredited institution.

Additional Information & Requirements

Work location: Virginia Zoological Park, 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk 23504 

Work hours: 40 hours a week worked over a 5-workday schedule; schedule may vary. Working weekends and holidays may be required.

Signing Bonus: This position is eligible for a one-time $5,000 signing bonus. The signing bonus will be paid in two (2) increments: $2,500 upon completion of 60 days of employment, and $2,500 upon completion of your probationary period. To receive the signing bonus, you must be an active employee in good standing. 

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction. 

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type. 

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of “Non-City” are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions. 

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