ALASKA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER
Title:
Animal Keeper 1
Category:Fulltime, Year-round
ReportsTo: Animal Curator, Assistant Curator
GeneralFunction
- Under direct supervision of the Animal Curator and Assistant Curator, the Animal Keeper 1 performs tasks requiring skillsinthecareandmaintenanceoftheanimalcollectionandexhibitfacilitiesatthecenter.
Major Activities (Typical Duties/Responsibilities)
- Works days and hours assigned by Animal Curator; changes based onseason.
- Requires late shifts until closing (8pm) during summer operating hours, as well as possible overnights during calving season.
- Provides water and food for animals and cleans exhibits in assigned area. Makes daily animal observations and reports any abnormal behavior or health concerns, exhibit security, and/or safety concerns to on-duty supervisor immediately.
- Diet preparation and distribution following prescribed diet and feeding procedures. Records diet consumption daily and notifiessupervisor of feeding behavior changes.
- Recommends improvements in animal care procedures and schedules, exhibit upkeep and employee and visitor safety.
- Carries out prescribed veterinary treatments as assigned by the Vet Team and Animal Care management. Assists in capture and crating/uncrating of animals.
- Performs routine maintenance and upkeep of walkways, zoo grounds and facilities as assigned. Reports needed major repairs and checks and maintains equipmentused.
- Acts as a liaison to the public by courteously answering questions and enforcingfeeding rules for theanimals.
- Presents educational programs and tours whenassigned.
- Research and preparation of information regarding zoo specimens for discussion withthe publicandotherprofessionals.
- Represents the AWCC animal care department in a positive way during any filming operation the AWCC management decides to partake in; helping to promote the facility in apositive light and garner publicsupport.
- ReportsalldepartmentalpersonnelconcernsdirectlyandimmediatelytotheAnimalCurator.
- Carries out the responsibilities of the position in a professional and appropriatemanner.
Required Skills/Abilities
- Ability to work in a team environment to help achieve AWCC’s goals andobjectives.
- Strong communication skills, both written andoral.
- Must possess a positive and respectfulattitude.
- Excellent customer services skills.
- Be willing and able to work in extreme weather conditions; rain, snow, sleet, sun orwind.
- Exceptional work ethic, attention to detail and time managementskills.
- Abilities to lift 80#, bend, reach, stand, crawl, and work in a drastically changing weatherenvironment
- Ability to compromise, listen, learn, understand, and follow instructions anddirections.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with otheremployees.
- Ability to work directly with the public, providing information and assistance asneeded.
- Ability/willingness to learn and pass on to customers those areas of interest to visitors, such as local history, people, culture, geography,etc.
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule asneeded.
- Proven ability to effectively lead in a fast-pacedenvironment.
- Efficient, organizational skills, time management, and ability tomultitask.
- Current on the following vaccinations: Tetanus and Rabies series.
Preferred Qualifications (education, experience, skills)
- A Bachelor of Science degree in animalsciences.
- A minimum of 1year of related experience.
- A positive attitude and strong workethic.
Benefits
- Compensation starting at $24-26/hour,DOE
- 12 paid holidays including the employee’s birthday (New Year’s, Easter, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous People’s Day, Thanksgiving, Day-After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve andChristmas).
- Medical, dental and vision insurance, AWCC covers 100% ofpremium
- PTO accumulation package.
- Option to enroll in 403-b retirement, matching 5% from the company after 1 yr ofservice.
- Housing available on site, bunkhouse style. Limited capacity.Security deposit and monthly rent associated.
- Continuing education opportunities.
