City of Greenville Job Summary
Under general direction and in compliance with standard operating procedures and policies, supervises, directs, and participates in the daily care of Zoo animals, exhibits, and grounds to the highest standards expected by the Greenville Zoo and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Responsible for the oversight of specifically defined areas, acting as a lead resource regarding the animals, enclosures, apparatus, and tools within those areas. Leads projects and oversees training and animal enrichment for assigned areas. Responsible for reviewing and editing daily animal notes entered into the Zoo Information Management System (ZIMS), ensuring proper use of terminology and data quality. Ensures animal husbandry, breeding recommendations, animal transfers, etc., correspond with the expectations and recommendations of the Taxon Advisory Groups (TAG), Species Survival Programs (SSP), and other AZA professional committees. Supervises and oversees development and training initiatives for assigned personnel. Provides general landscaping maintenance of grounds in and around exhibits and associated facilities. Performs educational and public outreach activities.
Essential Functions
Essential Functions
% of Time
• Provide Animal Care: Prepare animal diets and present food to animals. Provide animals fresh water daily in appropriate containers. Check animal enclosures for any disrepair. Clean and disinfect animal enclosures. Observe, monitor, and record animal behavior, physical condition, and activity. Plan, propose, create, provide, and document environmental enrichment opportunities. Plan, propose, execute, and document operant conditioning sessions. Provide enrichment and operant conditioning sessions regularly to reduce stress, enrich the lives of the animals, and build relationships with animals. Assist in veterinary care, monitor for health concerns, and notify appropriate veterinary staff of any issues. Prepare, submit, and review daily reports that document detailed observations of animal behavior, dietary intake, physical appearance, level of activity, and related issues. Respond to animal emergencies as directed, following approved protocols.
40%
• Perform Administrative Duties: Maintain the currency for all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for assigned area exhibits. Ensure all documentation is properly completed for animals including Animal Welfare Assessments, and enrichment and training documentation. Coordinate and oversee activities and initiatives related to the Behavioral Enrichment Program and the Operant Conditioning Program including review of all conditioning and enrichment proposals. Assist with entering daily notes regarding animals within the area utilizing ZIMS. Maintain relationships and collaborate with external TAG, SSP, and other AZA professionals in regard to animal husbandry practices, breeding recommendations, and animal transfers. Research species specific natural history and current trends and developments in the zoo field. Serve as Manager on Duty overseeing all aspects of daily zoo operations, performing walk-throughs to ensure facility safety and cleanliness, and responding to Guest Services issues, as needed. Take lead in animal escapes and recaptures, as needed. Train as a member of the Firearms Emergency Response Team, and be prepared in the event of an animal escape posing a threat to life.
25%
• Supervise Assigned Personnel: Supervise assigned personnel and provide oversight of a specifically defined area. Set performance expectations and standards, prioritize and assign work, and allocate staff according to operational needs. Provide staff with necessary coaching and training. Ensure timely reporting and documentation of all work place accidents/incidents. Participate in the hiring and selection of staff for open positions. Ensure the timely documentation and discipline of employees consistent with Human Resources policies. Write and conduct performance evaluations in a fair, consistent and timely manner. Manage time off requests, produce weekly work schedule, and approve time sheets. Schedule and facilitate monthly team meetings and compile minutes.
20%
• Maintain Exhibits: Provide general landscaping maintenance of grounds in and around exhibits and associated facilities. Trim and prune vegetation in and around exhibit areas. Maintain grasses and other ground covers and various substrate materials in animal and public areas. Make simple repairs to commonly used equipment and tools (e.g., brooms, squeegees, rakes, and hoses). Maintain mechanical apparatus to ensure proper functionality. Collaborate with Zoo Maintenance and external contractors on in-house construction projects to provide input on animal needs and safety (e.g., exhibits, exhibit furniture, enrichment, animal holding and transport equipment). Ensure species specific vegetation and other area features. Coordinate with department horticulture staff for flora species selection and maintenance.
10%
• Perform Educational and Public Outreach Activities: Provide professional presentations and informal talks to the staff, visiting public, and school groups. Collaborate with Education Department, Greenville Zoo Foundation, and Marketing and Events Coordinator on and provide input into the development of press releases, articles, etc., acting as a subject matter expert. Assist with the planning, coordination, and execution of special events and Zoo rentals, including delivering animal presentations, set-up, and breakdown.
5%
Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
• Associate degree in biology, zoology, animal science, conservation, wildlife, or a related field or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job, may be substituted for evaluation at the discretion of City Management.
• Over four (4) years of experience in an animal care capacity, including two (2) years in a lead worker capacity.
• Must have or obtain CPR, AED, and First Aid certification/training within one (1) year of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelors degree in biology zoology, animal science, conservation, wildlife, or a related field.
• Experience working in an AZA accredited facility.
Driver's License Requirements
• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.
Performance Requirements
Knowledge of:
• Exotic animal care in line with AZA and United States Department of Agriculture standards.
• Animal behavior and natural history.
• Behavioral enrichment, operant conditioning, and animal welfare assessment.
• Proper/safe usage of a firearm.
Ability to:
• Recognize animal behavioral cues and respond appropriately.
• Safely capture, handle, and restrain live exotic and potentially dangerous animals and use associated capture equipment.
• Participate in developing goals, objectives, and procedures for the animal Animal Care Department.
• Provide supervision, leadership, training, and work direction for assigned staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the public.
• Communicate in verbal and written formats clearly, effectively, and professionally.
• Communicate basic information to the public in a respectful and knowledgeable manner.
• Demonstrate a high level of motivation and a willingness to adapt positively to change in a fast-paced environment.
• Tactfully handle stressful situations, negotiate and resolve conflicts, maintain confidentiality and to respect and observe organizational protocol.
• Read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical documents, and standard operating procedures as well as literature, books, reviews, reports, and abstracts on best practices in animal care.
• Write reports and compose emails in a clear and professional manner.
• Deal with a system of real numbers; and practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement as it relates to animal care, medical instructions, and exhibit improvements.
• Learn and apply skills associated with utilizing specialized software and systems including timekeeping system, record keeping software and point of sale systems.
• Develop and present information and instruction based on emerging topics, operational needs, and developing trends within the zoo community.
• Work in inclement weather conditions including cold rain, wind, heat, snow, sleet, etc.
• Operate motor vehicles, electric carts, utility vehicles, lawn mowers, landscaping equipment, various hand and power tools, and 12-gauge shotgun.
• Operate general office equipment to include scanner, printer, copier, telephone, and computer with Microsoft Office Suite.
Working Conditions
Primary Work Location: Outdoors (Zoo exhibits and grounds).
Protective Equipment Required: Latex and leather gloves, eye protection, earplugs, face mask, respirator, safety glasses, steel-toed boots and other specialty personal protective equipment depending on project (e.g., chainsaw chaps).
Environmental/Health and Safety Factors:
Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk. Daily exposure to physical hazards. Weekly exposure to respiratory hazards. Monthly exposure to noise and vibration as well as chemical hazards and communicable diseases. Seasonal exposure to extreme temperature and wetness and/or humidity, as well as mechanical hazards due to the use of landscaping and power tools to maintain animal exhibits.
Physical Demands:
Constantly requires standing, walking, vision, and hearing. Frequently requires lifting, carrying, reaching, kneeling, crawling, pushing/pulling, bending, crouching, and talking. Occasionally requires sitting, fine dexterity, handling, climbing, balancing, and twisting. Rarely requires foot controls. Heavy strength demands include exerting 50-100 pounds occasionally, 25-50 pounds frequently, or from 10 up to 20 pounds constantly. Lift animals, grain sacks, hay bales, squeeze cages, lumber, and tents.
Mental Demands:
Constantly requires time pressures, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, and a noisy/distracting environment. Frequently requires change of tasks, tedious or exacting work, irregular schedules/overtime, and working closely with others as part of a team. Rarely requires emergency situations.
Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance
The City of Greenville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Prospective and current employees should contact Human Resources to request an ADA accommodation.
Disclaimer
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
PDN-9eadaa75-468a-4646-8757-6df95717f5cc Employment Type: Full-Time