Animal Keeper (variable hour) bei Oregon Metro, OR

About the Department

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Join the Oregon Zoo as a variable hour Animal Keeper specializing in the care of African wildlife, powerful carnivores to small mammals, or fascinating insects. In this role, you'll contribute to the daily care, enrichment, and conservation of these diverse species, each playing a vital role in the ecosystem. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals passionate about animal care!

As the Animal Keeper will:

• Performs daily care and specialty duties for a diverse range of animals, including insects or African mammals, while ensuring safe and effective practices around all species in their care.
• Coordinates, oversees and performs upkeep, cleaning, and disinfecting animal areas, keeper areas and related facilities.
• Conducts daily perimeter checks and maintains the security and safety of animals areas, initiating corrections for any deficiencies or safety concerns.
• Oversees and performs feeding duties, including preparing prescribed species-appropriate diets, and makes precise reports on food consumption and recommendation on diet modifications as needed.
• Administers prescribed medications, observes animals for responses and communicates findings with veterinarian and supervisor.
• Designs, develops, and implements enrichment programs tailored to species' natural biology and individual animal needs. This includes brainstorming and researching, presentation and obtaining approvals, fabrication and formulations, and tests and observations to continually assess effectiveness of enhancing animal welfare.
• Assists in developing and updating animal care plans, protocols and procedures.
• Assists with the capture, restraint or segregation of animals for medical treatment, research or transfer.

Attributes for Success

• Knowledge of species’ natural history and current industry care standards, including feeding strategies, introduction methods, breeding and rearing practices, social management, training practices and strategies and engaging enrichment.
• Ability to identify and assess normal and abnormal behaviors, including reproductive behavior, eating habits, group aggression issues, and health problems.
• Skilled in using animal training and conditioning techniques to facilitate participation and cooperation with medical procedures.
• Knowledge of safety protocols, including appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), lockouts/tagouts, signage, baffle boards and other capture equipment, hot wire, CO2 canisters and fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and other emergency response tools.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with team members, supervisors and the public. 
• Strong teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and contribute to a positive team atmosphere in a close, team-oriented environment as well as work independently. Mentor adult and teenage volunteers, interns, and students.
• Ability to safely conduct informative and professional tours through area of responsibility.
• Experience in maintaining accurate records on animal health, behavior, diet, inventory and conservation data for reports and research.
• Ability to develop, present and assist others in educational messaging to the public through keeper chats and animal encounters.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.    

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor degree in animal science, biology, zoology or related subjects relevant to the care of zoo animals, AND
• Three years professional animal keeper related experience OR
• Any combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for the position.

Required

Work Week and shift: The schedule will be tailored to meet both operational needs and personal preferences. Schedules vary based on operational need, weather and events at the zoo, including   school breaks, holidays, summer and the ZooLights season. These positions are considered to be variable hour, with no set schedule and are limited to a maximum of 1,040 hours per 12-month period.

Driving Record Check: The candidate selected for the position will need to pass a Driving Record check prior to being hired. Speeding tickets do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you maybe in eligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Preferred Qualifications: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• At least two years of experience working in an AZA-accredited facility. 
• Experience in a Zoo's Emergency Response Team for large carnivores 
• Experience with hoof care for ungulates.
• Experience using large machinery for habitat cleaning/upkeep. 
• Experience developing animal training plans.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application 
• Answers to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates 
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable) 
• Reference check
• Driving records check for finalist candidate

REPRESENTATION

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LiUNA 483 union. It is classified as an Animal Keeper. 

Variable-hour staff are limited to a maximum of 1,040 hours per 12-month period.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Christina Rentas

Email: [email protected]

Other Qualifications

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
  

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page. 

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Metro 

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home. 

As part of the Metro family, <> helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.

The Oregon Zoo and Metro
 The Oregon Zoo inspires visitors to learn about protecting endangered species and restoring native habitats and is the state's most popular paid attraction. The zoo’s roughly 320 employees welcome more than 1.5 million visitors each year.

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