Job Description

Position Summary:  
The Animal Keeper is responsible for the daily care and husbandry of both marine and terrestrial animal species, supporting Senior Keepers in ensuring the health, welfare, and enrichment of a diverse animal collection. This position plays a key role in maintaining a clean, safe, and stimulating environment while assisting with training, enrichment, and educational programs. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

Animal Care and Husbandry:  

• Provide daily feeding, cleaning, and enrichment for both marine and terrestrial animals as assigned. 
• Monitor animal health, behavior, and environmental conditions, reporting any concerns promptly to senior keepers. 
• Support senior keepers in carrying out specialized care routines (e.g., water quality checks, tank maintenance, terrestrial enclosure upkeep). 
• Assist in safe and proper handling, restraint, and transport of animals as required. 

Support Senior Keepers:  

• Help implement enrichment plans, training sessions, and behavioral observations under the guidance of senior keepers. 
• Participate in the execution of medical and preventative care procedures, ensuring adherence to veterinary protocols. 
• Collect and maintain accurate records on feeding, behavior, health, and habitat conditions. 
• Collaborate on projects such as exhibit improvements, species-specific research, and breeding programs. 

Safety and Facility Maintenance:  

• Maintain the cleanliness of all animal areas, including aquariums, tanks, and terrestrial habitats. 
• Conduct routine inspections of habitats and life support systems, reporting issues to senior staff. 
• Follow safety protocols for working in aquatic environments, including water quality monitoring and diving (if trained and certified). 

Visitor Engagement and Education:  

• Engage with visitors to answer questions and share information about marine and terrestrial species. 
• Support public presentations, feeding demonstrations, or educational talks under senior keeper supervision. 

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, marine biology, or a related field required. 
• Minimum 1 year of experience in animal care, including some experience with both marine (e.g., fish, invertebrates, small mammals) and terrestrial animals. 
• Strong interest in supporting senior keepers in daily tasks, learning from their expertise, and developing skills in both marine and terrestrial husbandry. 
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. 
• Physically able to perform strenuous tasks in various weather and environmental conditions. 
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays. 

Preferred Skills:  

• Experience with water quality monitoring, life support systems, or diving certifications (e.g., SCUBA) is a plus. 
• Basic knowledge of behavioral enrichment and training techniques. 

Working Conditions:  

• May involve working in and around water, climbing, lifting, and exposure to potentially dangerous animals. 
• Required to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as scheduled. 

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