Position: Keeper II or III- Clouded Leopards
Reports To: Curator of Mammals and Birds
Salary starting at: $18-20hr based on Keeper level hired into
Position Summary:
The LLPA is expanding! With the upcoming expansion set to open in Spring 2025 we are excited to seek candidates with a background in carnivore/big cat care to join our team to head our clouded leopard program. The position includes all aspects of animal care under the direction of the Curator and Assistant Curators of Mammals and Birds.
Institutional Summary:
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium provides learning opportunities for all levels, interests, and ages, with the mission to inspire people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems since 1997. Since opening its new facility in Draper in March 2014, the Aquarium has welcomed over eight million visitors and provided more than 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to more than 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium showcases ecosystems from around the planet including kelp forests, coral reefs, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, Asian cloud forests, South American rain forests, and the waterways of our home state of Utah. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019. With a new expansion currently under construction and slated for completion in late 2024, LLPA will soon be the largest aquarium in the Mountain West, and 5th largest aquarium overall in the continental United States.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Cleaning and maintenance of equipment, supplies, animal habitats, and support spaces associated with the mammal and bird collections.
- Monitoring and maintaining appropriate environmental parameters for terrestrial habitats.
- Providing high-level animal care and nutrition to animals within the endotherms collection.
- Monitoring and assisting in responding to signs of illness/injury, stress, or other factors that may impact animal health and wellbeing.
- Maintaining all necessary records and reviewing those records regularly in support of ensuring excellent animal care.
- Responsible for supporting institutional and industry best practice standards and procedures.
- Supports excellent animal wellbeing through providing enriching environments\interactions and behaviors supporting animal health.
- Mentoring and training colleagues in areas of expertise to expand team skillsets.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Two or four-year degree in zoological or biological sciences. Candidates with a suitable combined equivalent of education and hands-on experience will be considered.
- 4+ years of paid experience in the field of aquatic animal care at a zoological facility.
Critical Competencies:
- Demonstrated expertise in one of the following fields: felids, breeding and cub rearing, experience with clouded leopards specifically is highly preferred.
- Good interpersonal verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
- Maintaining a consistent professional attitude, high motivation, and ability to accept feedback.
- Interest in developing efficiency, good time management, and demonstrated desire for growth.
- Knowledge of ZIMS software is a plus.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Valid driver’s license.
- CPR/First Aid certification or the ability to obtain it in-house upon employment.
- Must possess current, negative TB test results or obtain prior to start.
- Scuba certification preferred, if not certified willingness to become certified in the future.
Special Working Conditions:
- Outdoor and indoor environments in varying weather conditions including: elevated platforms, aquatic habitats, uneven surfaces, enclosed spaces, noisy workspaces.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs, ability to swim, ability to stand for long periods of time, ability to walk up and down ladders, ability to work with various cleaning chemicals, ability to operate power tools or heavy machinery, ability to drive aquarium vehicles.
Perks of working for LLPA:
- Health benefits including vision, dental, medical, HSA, FSA, pet insurance, paid maternity leave, free employee assistance program
- Generous PTO and holiday package with 12 paid holidays and PTO accrual starting at 80hrs a year and reaching 176 hrs by year 5.
- 401K eligibility within 90 days of employment with an employer match of up to 4%.
- Individual Aquarium membership and 16 VIP passes per year plus 1 family membership or 3 individual memberships per year to gift to family/friends.
- 25% discount at the gift shop and 50% discount at the café.
- Catered staff lunches twice a month
- Coming in 2025: onsite staff gym and onsite daycare options for staff with children
While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time. The overall work environment while performing this job includes exposure to weather conditions and the noise level is usually moderate. The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.
