Summary:

The Zookeeper is primarily responsible for daily husbandry of a collection of animals as it relates to their physiological and psychological well-being as well as providing general maintenance of enclosures and habitats within an assigned exhibit. Keepers are responsible for daily husbandry, observations, enrichment, and training birds. Monitoring health during molts, social dynamics during breeding season, egg incubation, and occasional hand-rearing of chicks are also expected. The keeper will engage guests through a daily keeper chat or feeding, and may also be cross trained to take care of African penguins.

The ideal candidate would be proficient in all aspects of zoo animal care including husbandry, enrichment, training, exhibit maintenance, record keeping, keeper chats, and conservation. To be successful in this role, a candidate should be detail-oriented, self-motivated, hard-working, positive, dependable, able to work independently, but also thrive in a team setting.

Collection Encompasses: The Tropical Bird House is divided into two large flights, multiple small exhibits, and behind-the-scenes housing. Species include several hornbill species (Abyssinian ground hornbills, yellow-casqued hornbills, southern ground hornbills, red-billed hornbills), corvids, doves and various other passerines.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides best available practices in daily animal care, husbandry, enrichment, and training.
• Actively observes animals’ behavior, checking for any signs of illness or disorder; reports irregularities and abnormal behavior to supervisor; works with vet staff to address medical needs.
• Prepares and administers appropriate daily diets and maintain accurate records of assigned animals.
• Appropriately cleans and disinfects assigned animal enclosures/habitats according to written protocols and ensures a sanitary and safe environment.
• Closely monitors dynamics within the colony, including during breeding season.
• Assists with hand-rearing penguin chicks as needed.
• Performs exhibit maintenance, including minor repairs and pool cleanings.
• Exercises good judgement when making decisions that affect our collection.
• Assists hospital staff in all aspects of animal treatment within the assigned section.
• May incorporate modern behavioral husbandry techniques such as operant conditioning and environmental enrichment into animal care.
• Facilitates formal and informal public presentations and chats to engage guests and provide a positive guest experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, or a related field.
• Previous experience with operant conditioning in a zoological setting.
• Previous experience with capture and restraint of birds.
• Previous experience with exhibit maintenance, design, and perching.
• Previous experience with egg incubation and hand-rearing.

Competencies:

• Behavioral Husbandry Techniques.
• Flexibility.
• Problem Solving/Analysis.
• Proficient in MS Office, current technology and applications for communication, research and record management.
• Stress Management/Composure.
• Teamwork Orientation.
• Written and Oral Communication.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Reporting Structure: Reports to Associate Curator, Team Lead.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Full-time positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately up to 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager. This position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays, holidays, and weekends including early morning and daytime hours, and will occasionally require after-hours work.

This position is considered non-exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws. 

Work Environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee will frequently work outdoors (Zoo grounds). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold.

Physical Demands: 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.

This position requires frequent standing/walking/bending/kneeling/crouching and may occasionally move or lift objects up to 50 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

​Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Other Requirements:

• 18 years or older.
• Clear background check.
• Clear drug screening.
• Clear TB screening.

Benefits & Perks 

The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.   

EEOC and Inclusion Statement:  

The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.  

The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org.  

The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer. 

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace. 

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.