Overview
Animal Keeper-Hoofstock-Temporary, Full-Time Jobs in San Francisco, CA at SFZOO
The SanFrancisco Zoological Society (“Society”) is a non-profit institution thatmanages and raises funds for San Francisco Zoo and Gardens (“Zoo”). The Society’s mission, supra, is summarized as the 3 c’s: to connect our visitors with wildlife so that they care about nature and ultimately conserve it. The Society’s leadership team is comprised ofa President & Executive Director as well as a professional team of SeniorManagers. The Society endeavors to meet or exceed the standards of its industrypeers, including those established by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums(“AZA”). For over 25 years, the Society has been continuously accredited by theAZA.
SUMMARY: The Society believes its mission is best achieved by caring for animals at theZoo. To that end, the Society employs animal care professionals, including but not limited to veterinary staff,animal behaviorists, animal managers and curators, nutritionists, scientists and animal care givers. The latter is referred to as an “Animal Keeper,” and undergeneral supervision by Zoo management, an Animal Keeper has responsibility forthe care, welfare and safety of an animal(s) and the animal’s habitat orexhibit. In addition, an Animal Keeper is expected to further the Society’s mission of the 3 c’s by providing information to the Zoo visitor.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Specifically, an Animal Keeper “performs allaspects of animal care including upkeep of exhibits and adjacent areas, minorand emergency repairs to exhibits, designing and building displays and exhibitchanges, conducting tours, public speaking, coordinating volunteers. To providebetter clarity to the above language, the following duties and responsibilitiesare included:
1. Cleans and maintains enclosures, cages, stalls, moats, barns, pools,yards, roads and related areas; removes animal excrement and food remnants;rakes sand and leaves; sweeps and hoses down area as necessary.
2. Observes behavior of animals on both a day-to-day and long-term basis;notes any unusual behavior, signs of illness or injury, change in appetite,start of breeding cycle, or lack of compatibility with group members andreports same to his or her supervisor. If the supervisor is not available,observations may be reported to other members of animal management team or theanimal hospital. At times, the Animal Keeper may need to assist inadministering medication or other treatments for illness or injury as directed.
3. Answers questions or gives information regarding animals, Zoo operations,and Zoo exhibits to the visiting public; observes the public to preventmalicious acts, which could result in harm to the public, or Zoo animals orloss of Zoo property. At times, anAnimal Keeper may need to maintain crowd control when animals are loose orbeing moved.
4. Assists in the crating and uncrating of animals; catches and restrains asnecessary; and may assist in transfer between locations.
5. Designs and builds displays within existing enclosures; assists with theplanning and care of landscaped areas within or near enclosures; makes minorand emergency repairs to Zoo equipment and facilities; assists maintenancepersonnel in repair or maintenance work.
6. Interacts with Zoo visitors and staff courteously and offers properattention at all times.
7. Drives vehicles on or off Zoo grounds, particularly in the instance ofcare of animals off Zoo grounds, transporting animals to or from anotherlocale, and in emergency situations.
8. Possesses knowledge of an animal’s dietary needs as well as facilitatesan animal’s consumption of food developed by other zoo departments. May need tooccasionally assist with food preparation, especially near or at animalexhibit. Maintains food storage at or near an animal exhibit in a mannerconsistent with state, local, federal and AZA requirements.
9. Collaborates with other Zoo departments to maintain the highest level ofanimal care and, to that end, may occasionally need to attend training sessionshosted by other Zoo departments.
10. May need to engage in other duties related to the care of a Zoo animal asdirected by Zoo management.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential dutysatisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of theknowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may bemade to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: The Society encourages bilingual candidates to apply.
EDUCATION: High school diploma or generaleducation degree (GED).
EXPERIENCE: One-year paid experienceworking with ranch, farm, or exotic animals. A degree from an institutionoffering specialized animal management programs with a hands-on component or aninternship working with animals may meet this qualification. Ability to read and interpret documents suchas safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively beforegroups. Ability to work in a teamenvironment and be a team player. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written,oral, diagram, or schedule form. For certain species or dangerous animals,special and/or additional requirements may be necessary for the safety ofemployee, animal and/or member of the public.
CERTIFICATES,LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: A valid Driver’s License.
PHYSICALDEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those thatmust be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions ofthis job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals withdisabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties ofthis job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee frequently is required to reachwith hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop,kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employeemust regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/ormove up to 80 pounds.
WORKENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here arerepresentative of those an employee encounters while performing the essentialfunctions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enableindividuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Whileperforming the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outsideweather conditions. The employee isoccasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment isusually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee isfrequently exposed to potentially hazardous animals. May involve exposure topossible serious accidents or injury and to very disagreeable workingconditions in handling dangerous or sick animals or raw sewage and otherrefuse.
Bilingual candidatesare encouraged to apply. EOE.
Salary Range: Full-time $29.88-36.19, Part-Time/As Needed$25.37-36.19/per hour (1/1/25)
Application: Please applyvia our web site at:
https://candidate.offerdox.com/clients/c32a6703-4c9c-4d70-b296-b438a4f2cf91/jobs/
Please include a resume and acover letter detailing your experience as it relates to this position.
(Ref: 64)
Title: Animal Keeper-Hoofstock-Temporary, Full-Time
Company: SFZOO
Location: San Francisco, CA
