Animal Keeper - Night Hunters

Cincinnati Zoo
life insurance, paid time off, 401(k)
United States, Ohio, Cincinnati
3400 Vine Street (Show on map)
May 08, 2025
Position: Animal Keeper - Night Hunters Team Summary: This position encompasses skilled professional and technical work in the routine daily care of assigned animals, enclosures, and related facilities in Night Hunters, including Cat Canyon. Night Hunters offers a diverse collection of animals including Malayan tiger, cougar, snow leopard, clouded leopard, various small carnivores, aardvark, vampire bats, and Indian flying foxes. Duties may include related tasks and/or unrelated duties as assigned. Duties include: Clean animal displays, holding areas, service areas, public sections and grounds. Complete inspection of all enclosures to ensure the safety of the animals. Identify maintenance issues and correct or repair each as required, reporting non-correctable maintenance issues, including potential safety hazards, to the Lead Keeper and/or Zoological Manager/Curator. Observe general animal health and behavior, daily, and report any abnormal circumstances to a supervisor. Maintain records of health, behavior, enrichment, operant conditioning, and visitor engagement. Prepare and follow prescribed diets and feeding procedures for the animal collection. Perform operant conditioning and enrichment programs in assigned areas. Assist in the training, supervision, evaluation of volunteers, interns, and vocational students, as needed. Assist animal health and curatorial staff with animal handling, capture, restraint, transport, and medication administration. Develop and support visitor engagement programs. Interact with the public and Zoo staff in a professional and courteous manner. Make decisions consistent with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden policies and procedures, when required. Perform daily duties in all sections of assigned department, as required. Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor. Qualifications: Demonstration of excellent communication skills, while applying good judgment, to deliver animal care and guest experiences that meet the highest standards. Demonstration of knowledge and successful experience in animal husbandry, operant conditioning, and understanding of modern zoological practices. The ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with co-workers (including staff, volunteers, interns, and vocational students) Exhibiting tolerance, trustworthiness, and accountability Consistently work in a problem-solving capacity within the department (planning ahead, communicating effectively, support team initiatives). Proven team player with the ability to work independently. Exhibiting reliability and adaptability A degree in the biological sciences or related field. 3 years of keeper experience in an AZA institution preferred, with at least 1 year experience with carnivores. Paid experience with big cats and small carnivores preferred. *Equivalent combinations of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job will be considered* Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; bend; climb or balance; lift, grasp; and negotiate stairs and ladders. In addition, the employee may be exposed to Zoonosis, chemicals, and outside weather conditions; Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance; must possess a valid driver's license (and insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle). Working Conditions: Employment is contigent upon the following: Passing a background check, and drug & incotnie screen Providing proof of current COVID vaccination status (most recent booster) While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; bend; climb or balance; lift, grasp; and negotiate stairs and ladders. In addition, the employee may be exposed to Zoonosis, chemicals, and outside weather conditions; Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds without mechanical assistance; must possess a valid driver's license (and insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle). Position Detals & Benefits This is a full-time (40 hours per week with benefits) keeper position, which is subject to the successful completion of a probationary period and the deduction of union dues. Regular off-days will be determined upon hire but will fall between Tuesday - Thursday. Starting pay range is between 21.73 - 25.75 determined by years of field experience. Intentional professional development opportunities, for both animal care and "people" skills. We offer a highly competitive benefits package supporting our employees' Total Well-Being, including comprehensive & affordable medical, dental & vision coverage (starting the first day of the month following date of hire); free mental health counseling, Employee Assistance Programs, 401(k) plan with company match; flexible spending accounts; generous paid time off (200 PTO hours accrued throughout the first year of service, 80 of which is loaded into the PTO bank upon hire); company-paid disability & life insurance; park discounts and free passes. To apply for this position: Cover letter and resume should be included in your online application.