Senior Animal Keeper

Virginia Living Museum

https://thevlm.org/explore/about-us/

Senior Animal Keeper

General Statement of Duties

The Senior Animal Keeper is responsible for all aspects of Museum's bird and mammal collections, both ambassador and exhibit animals, including but not limited to cleaning, feeding, inspecting/observing specimens, maintaining exhibits, implementing veterinary, nutrition and enrichment programs, and record-keeping. Acquires and maintains appropriate knowledge about animals, exhibits, museum policies, procedures, and facilities. The Senior Animal Keeper works in cooperation with Animal Welfare staff as well as other departments to achieve established facility/operational and AZA standards. Interacts with visitors routinely through formal and informal programs. This position recognizes the capacity to achieve greater results by integrating skilled volunteers, leveraging their diverse knowledge and skills. This position reports directly to the Bird and Mammal Curator.

Qualifications

• A passion for animals, their welfare and conservation.

• Bachelor's degree or currently progress towards it in biology or related field. Significant professional animal care experience may be considered.

• At least 3 years of paid exotic (non-domestic) animal care experience, preferably at AZA facilities.

• Experience with current AZA training and enrichment practices.

• Maintain USDA and AZA standards for animal care and welfare.

• Ability to physically maintain enclosures and cages to safely and effectively house small to large birds and/or mammals.

• Proficiency in safe operating procedures with hand and power tools in order to make enclosure/exhibit repairs or improvements while ensuring animal, coworker, and public safety.

• Excellent reliability, communication, time management and observational skills.

• Ability to speak to groups of all ages.

• Must be self-reliant and motivated.

• First Aid/CPR certified or willing to become at the museums expense.

• Must be able to remain calm, make sound decisions and provide clear directions in a crisis situation.

• Be solution oriented.

• Has the self-assurance to handle animals with confidence and patience.

• Have current rabies vaccination or agree to be vaccinated at museum expense.

Duties and Responsibilities

Be a positive, enthusiastic representative of the Virginia Living Museum.

• Support the mission and Strategic Plan initiatives of increasing impact and expanding reach.

Support excellent animal welfare:

• Acquire, maintain and deploy modern zoological processes in relation to animals, exhibits, museum policies, procedures, and facilities.

• Maintain accurate cleaning, feeding, training, and enrichment records, and charts.

• Maintain adequate supplies for the department and keep Bird & Mammal Curator up to date on the inventory in a timely manner.

• Perform more technical and complex tasks including:

• Leading and directing proper animal restraint techniques,

• Assisting with hands on Veterinary Exams,

• Work with Bird & Mammal Curator on animal acquisitions, as needed.

• Ability to discern animal emergency situations versus non-emergency situations and respond accordingly.

• Properly secure all animal enclosures on a daily basis.

Support excellent Human welfare:

• Enhance guest experience by leading engaging tours and educational enrichment activities.

• The Senior Animal Keeper will ensure high customer satisfaction by engaging with museum visitors and answering their questions.

• Train staff and animal care volunteers: Including but not limited to proper sanitation of enclosures and dishes; proper preparation of diets (including measuring properly, proper handling of meat, and use of proper cutting boards); protection from zoonosis; recordkeeping; and proper handling of select ambassador and exhibit animals.

• Support Bird & Mammal Curator in development of policies and procedures, make recommendations for improvement in work areas and implement approved changes when within scope of abilities.

• Develop and implement animal training plans working with the Training and Enrichment Coordinator and evaluate Animal Keepers progress.

• Verify and monitor the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and regulations.

• Work with Ambassador Animal Manager, Training and Enrichment Coordinator and Bird and Mammal Curator to keep Ambassador Animals programmable.

• Acts as department lead in the absence of the Bird and Mammal Curator.

• Participates in selection of Animal Keeper staff.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Exhibits Support and Safety:

• Help to ensure all quarantine procedures are followed, including the cleaning of foot baths.

• Ensure all animal habitats are safe and look professional, create work order for maintenance.

• Follow safety guidelines and report any safety concerns to supervisor.

Essential Job Requirements

• Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word and perceive detailed information through oral communication.

• Ability to lift and/or exert up to 50 pounds of force.

• Must comfortable around a variety of live animals and wildlife.

• The candidate must have visual acuity to be able to operate motor vehicles and/or equipment.

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, push, pull, lift, grasp, feel, and utilize repetitive motions.

• Must be able to move throughout the Museum's building(s) and outdoor trail as needed.

• The candidate will be subject to outdoor environmental conditions such as wind, humidity, and extreme temperatures.

Supervision Exercised: Animal Keeper I

Experience Required

● At least 3 years of paid exotic (non-domestic) animal care experience, preferably at AZA facilities. ● Experience with current AZA training and enrichment practices.

Perks

Vacation, Sick, 401K, Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Salary

$15.00 per hour

How to Apply

Qualified applicants please submit a VLM application, cover letter, resume and references. No phone calls, please.

Website: https://thevlm.org/join/employment/openings/

Virginia Living Museum

524 J Clyde Morris Blvd

Newport News, VA 23601

Phone: 7575347473

Fax: Virginia Living Museum

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