Please note: All non-member Zoo tickets must be pre-purchased online or at the onsite kiosks.
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The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Wonderfully Wild. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Wonderfully Wild.

Careers

Animal Care Float Keeper

Position Summary:
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens Animal Care Keeper is responsible for providing the highest quality daily care, husbandry, and behavioral advancement of a defined portion of The Living Desert’s (TLD)
animal residents and habitats.

The Animal Care Department is expected to support the Zoo in its mission “to support desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation.” The team embraces a forward-thinking vision of a modern zoo and inclusive culture. The Animal Care team strives to be a strong, cohesive team working to deliver uncompromising excellence in animal care, welfare, and guest engagement while working for the greater good of the zoo and its mission. Each Animal Care Keeper is encouraged to lead from where they are, bring innovative ideas forward and provide a high level of well-being for each individual in their care.

Animal Care Float Keeper
The float keeper will work with the Curators and Assistant Curators of African Safari, Rhino Savanna, Australia, Americas, and Wildlife Connections in the husbandry and care of animals across the Living
Desert. This position will train in all areas of the facility, making communication, problem solving, and excellent animal care standards a must. Duties will include, but are not limited to, learning the husbandry and care of mammals, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates, using operant conditioning in the behavioral husbandry of animals to improve their wellbeing, communicating the mission of the Living Desert to guests through public keeper connections, maintaining records, using USDA guidelines to prepare diets. There is flexibility & potential for other projects dependent on the keeper’s areas of interest. This position reports directly to the Assistant Curator of Behavior & Wellbeing but interacts with staff in all areas.

This posting is a summary of the typical duties of the role, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

General:

Husbandry:

Behavior:

Communication:

Guest Engagement:

Safety:

Benefits:

Qualifications:
AA, AS,BA, or BS degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science or other related degree preferred. One year of exotic paid animal experience is also preferred

Physical Position Description:
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL TASKS: Standing, walking, twisting, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching motions, lifting up to 50lbs.
TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Exposure to extreme heat, chemicals, and dust/airborne materials. Work with potentially dangerous animals (i.e. large ungulates, carnivores, venomous animals).
HOLIDAY WORK: Holiday and weekend work required.
TRAVEL: Occasional conference and workshop attendance available if funding available. Some or all expenses paid.

To apply for current open positions: Please visit the Living Desert website to fill out an online application at www.livingdesert.org for each position(s) of interest. Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and three (3) references. The cover letter should include how you will be key in moving the Animal Care Department and The Living Desert mission forward. The position will remain open until filled.

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