Decatur Park District
Job Description
 
Job Title:                    Part Time Animal Care Intern
Department:              Scovill Zoo
Reports To:                Assistant Zoo Director
FLSA Status:             Non-Exempt
Wage:                         $15.00/hour
 

POSITION SUMMARY

 
This is a job that requires manual labor combined with specialized knowledge to provide for the care of a variety of animals.  Other tasks relate to serving visitors and assisting with the general operation of the zoo.
 
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
 

• Performs daily care of exotic and domestic animals, including feeding, cleaning, observation of behavior, environmental enrichment, training, and maintaining appropriate environmental conditions such as temperature.
• Working with the Curator and Keepers in charge of certain areas on animal management plans, including diets, breeding, veterinary care, off-exhibit maintenance, and exhibition.
• Requires careful attention to cleaning and disinfecting enclosures; observation and daily record keeping of the animals' health and feeding and reproductive behavior; periodic catching, moving, and unloading of animals; careful implementation of the directions of the veterinarian; and planning and implementation of animal training.
• Requires written and verbal communication with supervisors, peers, and maintenance personnel to transfer information essential to the care of the animals.
• Communication must be complete, concise, and based on careful observation of the animals and their needs. 

 
MARGINAL JOB DUTIES

• Current knowledge and up-to-date information must be effectively transferred between the various people involved in ensuring the animals' welfare.
• Gives presentations to a variety of audiences.  Communicates with visitors in a friendly and helpful manner.
• Requires close cooperation of all staff involved in animal care, as moving of animals, animal training, and other tasks often requires more than one person to work together.
• Basic "house-keeping" chores of feed procurement, cleaning of facilities, and sharing of work space also require that tasks be shared and/or rotated between various staff members.
• Must respect the authority of Area Keepers by following the diets and procedures set by them & the Curator.

 
 
 
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
 

• Previous experience working with domestic and/or non-domestic animals.

 
 
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS 
 

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as feed quantities based on the weight of an animal.
• Ability to weigh and measure animals.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.
• Ability to collect information and reach reasonable conclusions.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; and use hands.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.  
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• The employee must be able to tolerate dust from hay, straw, wood shavings, limestone, and bird and mammal dander.

 
 
HOURS

• This position is a paid animal care keeper position consisting of 20-38 hours per week for approximately 9 months with specific work hours designated by the Curator.
• Evening, weekend and holiday scheduling required.

 
 
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
 

• General work area is outdoors and employee is exposed to extreme weather conditions
• Exposure to noise distractions from employees, animals, or equipment operation in adjacent work areas
• Occasional exposure to cleaning materials (e.g., bleach)

 
 
Decatur Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.