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. The Zookeeper is also responsible for ensuring a positive guest experience and facilitating keeper chats.

This dynamic position offers the qualified keeper an opportunity to work with large and small cats as well as bat-eared foxes and meerkats. Keepers in Cat Country ensure exceptional husbandry of the species in their care as well as providing a positive and exciting guest experience by facilitating close encounters, tours and keeper chats.

Collection Encompasses: Cat Country

Essential Job Functions:

• Daily husbandry of assigned animals.
• Provide general maintenance of enclosures and habitats within assigned exhibits.
• Facilitate formal and informal public presentations to engage guests and provide a positive guest experience.
• Actively observes animals’ behavior, checking for any signs of illness or injury; reports irregularities and abnormal behavior to supervisor; works with vet staff to address medical needs.
• Prepares and administers appropriate daily diets, medications, and supplements. Maintains detailed and accurate records of assigned animals.
• Appropriately cleans and/or disinfects assigned animal enclosures/barns according to written protocols and ensures a sanitary and safe environment.
• Maintains a continuously safe working environment around potentially dangerous animals.
• Assists hospital staff in all aspects of animal treatment within the assigned section.
• Partners with research staff for ongoing research projects associated with animals in collection.
• Incorporate behavioral husbandry techniques such as operant conditioning and environmental enrichment into daily animal care.
• Maintains organized work areas and records.
• May be responsible for direction and safety of volunteers and interns when appropriate.
• Participates in established animal escape drills and procedures.
• Under supervision may capture, restrain, and transport animals.
• Attends departmental meetings and participates in developmental seminars and workshops as required.
• Assures the safety of self, animals, co-workers, and visitors by observing safety guidelines when working with animals, equipment and vehicles.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High school diploma.
• Some college level coursework in the fields of Zoology, Biology, Psychology, or related field.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Previous experience with animal care and operant conditioning in a zoological setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, or a related field.
• Previous experience working around Class 1 animals.

Competencies:

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

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Reporting Structure: Reports to Associate Curator.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full-time positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager.

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

Scheduling Availability Requirements: This position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays, holidays, and weekends. 

Work Environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee will frequently work in outdoor settings (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 sitting/standing/walking/bending/kneeling 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.