at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, US
Work Type: On Premise | Salary: From $38,000.00
to $38,000.00
| Employment Type: Full TimePosted Date: 2025-04-26
Description
Description
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 is 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.
A TLD Animal Care Keeper is an example to others while working towards an improved future and shared vision within our organization. This position educates, engages, and provides exemplary guest service connections for all Zoo guests and internal programs. 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.
This position is specifically for an Animal Care Keeper in the Wild Americas area of the zoo.
The Wild Americas keeper works in a team that oversees a diverse range of animals which includes small and large carnivores (From regions of Africa and the Americas), a variety of avian species including birds of prey, the small carnivore breeding facility, Australian species, and a variety of reptiles (including venomous). This position is assigned to the Canyon string which cares for Mexican gray wolf, bobcat, American badger, coyote, Channel Island fox, San Joaquin kit fox, ringtail and Chacoan peccary. Cross training to other strings is expected. The keeper is responsible for creating and maintaining dynamic habitat spaces and providing guest connections in an engaging and modern approach through animal training and animal experiences.
Job description is a summary of the typical duties of the role, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties.
Animal Care Keeper Tasks, Duties & Responsibilities:
General:
Must represent The Living Desert in a professional manner, and act accordingly at all times
General knowledge of zoo animal husbandry, natural history and observational skills
Ability to use critical thinking skills to trouble shoot issues and reveal solutions to move the animal team forward
Ability to remain calm under pressure and remain levelheaded in emergency situations
Keep accurate and detailed records of daily observations of area collection animals containing information regarding behavior, diet intake, fecal output, behavior, health, weight, breeding, aggression, behavioral enrichment, capture/restraint, prescribed medical treatments in-house
Attend and participate in staff meetings to discuss the needs of the animal collection and animal staff, resolve challenges, and learn new procedures and policies
Familiar with USDA and AZA regulations and comply with them
Contribute and maintain a safe, positive and productive workplace environment for animals, guests and staff
Provides assistance to other departments as needed
Other related responsibilities as necessary to accomplish department objectives
Husbandry:
Perform cleaning and maintenance of assigned habitats and make minor repairs when needed
Diet/meal preparation, feeding and restocking of feed supplies as needed and as prescribed
Daily observation of animal collection for injury, illness, aggression, stress, breeding activity, diet intake and fecal consistency
Daily cleaning of animal enclosures, service areas, holding units, and support areas utilizing various tools, instruments, disinfectants; and with the ability to do so safely
General maintenance of habitats, service/support areas and holding units such as: fence/enclosure repair, furniture, mister system, automatic drinkers, shade cloth, fill holes, etc. Complete monthly containment checks on enclosures.
Capture and restraint of animals for shipping/loading or routine/non-routine medical procedures; captures animals by hand-injection, hand, net, catch pole, or by corralling them under direction of area Animal Care Curator or Director of Animal Care
As assigned, assist Veterinary Care Services with medical treatments such as prescribed medication/treatments, weighing/measuring, surgery, hand injections, restraint/capture of animals, prepare & administer any required medications &/or supplements, collect fecal, urine & other samples as requested by the veterinarian
Research the animal collection; research scientific journals, observe and recognize a variety of courtship behaviors; creates environments that induce breeding where appropriate and recommended design options
Monitor incubation process of eggs and/or hand rearing of neonates as necessary
Recognize signs of pest infestation in animal areas and combat pests as directed
Ability to enter accurately animal daily reports using in house computer ZIMS program
Must have strong organizational, observational and time management skills
Behavior:
Participates with daily behavioral husbandry, operant conditioning, and enriching experiences of the animal collection
Condition behaviors for animal management and welfare advancement, and educational programming according to accepted training culture
Communication:
Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to accurately report daily information written, orally and with computer programs
Motivated, self-starter who can work with minimal supervision. Should also be able to work with others in a team setting
Able to establish and maintain effective and professional working relations with co-workers and other department personnel, and to do so in accordance with The Living Desert Employee Handbook
Communication skills for effective working relationships with all Zoo staff and outside professionals. Courteous with guests, staff and volunteers at all times while representing the institution at the highest standard of professionalism
Ability to professionally and effectively provide and accept feedback
Ability to speak to guests and give animal presentations both informally and formally
Ability to record and articulate observations intelligently
Ability to give and comprehend written and oral instructions, and to accurately carry out such instructions
Guest Engagement:
Maintain assigned areas and holding units to ensure animal, keeper, and guest safety, and are in good appearance paying attention to detail for guest viewing at all times
Excellent guest service and communication skills for effective & engaging public speaking; Gives knowledgeable and engaging tour/talks for guests, staff, and donors
Participate in guest education programs on or off-site, formal, and informal presentations, scheduled and impromptu keeper talks and provide accurate, effective and engaging presentations; Assist Animal Care Curator or Director of Animal Care with development of educational material
Assist other departments (i.e. Development/Marketing, Social Media, Special Events, and Education) in their duties by providing educational, animal programs or appearances for the media, promotional events, donors or on/off-site events, as assigned by Animal Care Management
Safety:
Ability to work with potentially dangerous animals under the Two Key/Two Lock/Two Keeper and Lock Out Tag Out Engineering Control systems
Must be capable of emergency response handling to avoid injury to self, others, and animals
Ability to remain calm and professional in the event of an unpredictable situation and follow through until situation is over
Requirements
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.
Experience with animal training and public presentations a plus.
Will substitute training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skill, and abilities. Generally, one year of full-time exotic animal experience will translate to one year of college.
Valid California driver license or the ability to obtain one.
Must be insurable on The Living Desert's automobile policy.
Must provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 including booster if eligible.
Equipment Used:
PC computer, general office equipment, telephone, radio, electric and gas cart, vehicles including medium to heavy equipment such as steer loader, tractor, pepper spray (Counter Assault Bear Deterrent), rake, shovel, wheelbarrow, catch pole, capture net, baffle board, snake hook, weight scale, garden hose, small handheld and power tools such as hammer, screwdriver, drill, wire cutters etc.
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.
This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.
To apply for the current open position: Qualified applicants must submit cover letter, resume, and three (3) references applying through our website: www.livingdesert.org. The cover letter should include how you will be key in moving the Animal Care Department and The Living Desert mission forward.
Animal Care Keeper - Wild Americas