Temporary Zookeeper - Mammals

Department:  Zoo 

Pay:  $18.17 per hour  

Work Schedule:   

Sedgwick County offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes health coverages, paid leave, regular compensation reviews, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.  For more detailed information, please visit our benefits page at SCBenefits.

Provides daily care for mammal collection including but not limited to: feeding, cleaning, observing, recording, and reporting behavior. Conducts training and enrichment activities. Inspects facilities for security, safety, repair and maintenance. Interacts and provides customer service to all zoo defined customers.

Animal Care and Management

• Demonstrates and maintains knowledge of basic mammalian natural history and behavior
• Monitors and interprets animal general health and behavior, recognizes abnormalities and potential medical conditions
• Effectively and timely communicates to supervisors and veterinary team observations of animal behavior and health conditions. Handle animals for medical purposes and in preparation for transport
• Under the direction of veterinarians and/or supervisors administers medications or treatment as instructed
• Prepares animal diets which may vary widely among taxa
• Drive Zoological Society owned vehicle, as needed for transportation of animals

Animal Welfare

• Through consultation with supervisors and other resources maintains and develops a skillset of animal training, enrichment and welfare
• Conduct and evaluate enrichment activities to satisfy AZA standards
• Conduct and evaluate positive reinforcement training when appropriate
• Record animal training and enrichment observations and health conditions in daily records
• Participate in animal welfare assessment activities

Area Maintenance

• Clean and maintain service areas, animal habitats and public viewing areas. Areas are to be clean, organized and free of clutter. Public areas are to be clean, presentable and aesthetically pleasing for zoo defined customers.
• Uses wheel barrows, rakes, shovels, hoses, scrub brooms, tubs and a variety of other tools
• Daily inspects animal habitats and associated facilities for security and safety concerns
• Conducts minor repairs to facilities or promptly submits concerns to supervisor
• Ensures that habitats are ready for public display in a timely manner
• Communicates any pest control concerns to supervisors or veterinary team

Minimum Qualifications: Two years coursework from an accredited college or university or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. One year of experience at an AZA Facility. Per Sedgwick County policy, this is a driving level position that requires a valid driver’s license without restrictions and current proof of automobile insurance. Out-of-state driver’s license accepted upon hire with ability to obtain a valid State of Kansas Driver’s License within 30 days of employment.

Preferred Qualifications: Degree in Zoology or Biology from an accredited college or university. Three years of experience as a zookeeper in an AZA Facility. Valid State of Kansas Driver’s License.

It is the policy of Sedgwick County not to discriminate in its programs or services provided to the general public, including employment and all other activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other similarly protected status. Sedgwick County is committed to making the application, interview, and pre-employment testing process accessible to persons with disabilities. If you wish to volunteer information regarding any special assistance you may need, please notify Human Resources by phone at (316) 660-7050, TDD (Kansas Relay at 711 or 800-766-3777). Do not use this phone number for employment questions. This number is provided only for those requiring ADA assistance. You will be contacted should the department feel that you are a qualified candidate.