Address
SalarySenior Zookeeper
Be part of the adventure and come Work Wild with us! Have an enhanced experience taking care of our wide range of animals, and enjoy your work day! We are looking for someone passionate about animal care and working with others to join our energetic and fast-paced team to provide the best care as possible to our animals. Come be a part of our ever growing conservation efforts and make a difference.
MISSION
We inspire our community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and our natural environment.
BENEFITS AT JBZ
We offer incredibly competitive benefits. This includes FREE:
- Medical plan option
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Dental & vision for employee & family
- 12 full weeks of parental leave
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
We offer generous vacation time, 6 days of personal time, and 11 paid Holidays each year. We offer a 4% match and 3% employer contribution to your 401k, zoo discounts, employee-only zoo experiences, tuition reimbursement, additional medical benefits to meet your and your family's needs, and a FREE Premium Zoo membership for you and your family.
GRAND RAPIDS
Come live in the beautiful Grand Rapids where you can find live music, art festivals, outdoor recreation, and nationally ranked food and craft beverages. You can drive 20 minutes and be by beautiful Lake Michigan, hike and kayak by the Grand River, or stay downtown and enjoy a variety of food and drinks. Grand Rapids is known as Americas’ best beer city, nation's craft beverage capital, and a top 20 U.S. Foodie city. There is a little bit of everything here in Grand Rapids to attract everyone including our growing zoo!
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A ZOOKEEPER
The Zookeeper performs technical animal management work in accordance with established procedures and protocols, required for proper care and maintenance of animals under human care at the John Ball Zoo. This includes the care and feeding of exotic and domestic animals; the cleaning and maintenance of buildings, exhibits, and yards; and observation and reporting on the physical and behavioral condition of the animals.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WOULD BE:
- Knowledgeable of and experienced with modern principles of animal care and welfare, including behavioral enrichment, medical treatments, exhibitory, nutrition, disease, transport, and positive reinforcement-based training techniques.
- SCUBA certified from a recognized dive training organization or able to be trained in SCUBA
- Capable of demonstrating professionalism and maturity at all times
- Skilled in proper interpretive techniques to relay information to visiting public
- A positive, energetic, and supportive co-worker.
- A strong and effective communicator and a strong team player.
- Innovative and willing to look for solutions.
- Capable of following all zoo and industry safety guidelines.
- Experienced with or interested in working with large and small carnivores, hoofstock, and other small mammals.
- Willing to work holidays, weekends and a shift adjustment in the summer months.
