• Job Description

  Req#: 571437

  Basic Function: Under the supervision of the Directors, this role contributes to the success of the Philadelphia Zoo by facilitating a successful guest experience for evening and special events through providing high quality animal care, positive animal wellbeing, exhibit maintenance, and guest interactions within a team setting. This role possesses a proven working knowledge of animal husbandry, a strong conservation ethic and exceptional interpersonal skills to provide high quality care for assigned areas. In addition to the essential functions listed in this job description, the Animal Care Specialist II needs to be able to perform the essential functions outlined in the Animal Care Specialist job description and assists in mentoring / training of team members. This role must be able to perform the essential functions and any assignments within the area of responsibility. This role maintains flexibility and serves as a swing in different areas / teams during different operational hours.

  Essential Functions:

  Husbandry

  1. Responsible for daily husbandry for scheduled area including cleaning and disinfection in accordance with Zoo, AZA and other applicable standards.
  2. Administers medication and supplements as directed by veterinarians and nutrition.
  3. Follows standard operating procedures and policies per assigned area.
  4. Completes and reviews daily activity reports, diet consumption reports, behavior and/or training records, enrichment records or any other written documentation on assigned animals/run. Collaborates with managers and other ACS staff on husbandry and welfare improvements based on this data.
  5. Observes individual animals’ daily welfare and reports and records animal behavior, food consumption, appearance etc. Reports problems or abnormalities to Assistant Director, Director and/or the Department of Nutrition or Animal Health as appropriate.
  6. Prepares animal areas for aesthetics, animal safety, animal wellbeing and guest engagement (including removal of toxic plants from exhibits).
  7. Trains other specialists on and performs proper restraint techniques for crating, transferring or veterinary procedures.
  8. Participates in veterinary immobilization procedures and proper handling of capture darts.
  9. Provides continual environmental enrichment by approved methods/SOPs; researches and provides new enrichment initiatives. Assists other Specialists on implementation of behavioral enrichment.
  10. Trains new and maintains existing husbandry behaviors with assigned animals utilizing operant conditioning as applicable (reinforcement, bridging stimulus, least reinforcing stimulus etc.). This includes the ability to teach animals to shift, move or gate without adverse stimuli. Collaborates with Senior Specialist and Director of Behavioral Husbandry to improve animal wellbeing and behavioral husbandry. Offers assistance to other ACSs with training plans.
  11. Responds to hazardous or potentially unsafe situations by following Zoo emergency protocols, and promptly notifying managers.
  12. Actively continues education on the animal residents; researches scientific journals.
  13. Creates opportunities for improved animal welfare, and as applicable, maintains environments that are species appropriate and that encourage natural behaviors / achieve welfare goals.
  14. Creates environments that induce breeding as applicable. Makes recommendations for habitat design options and shares knowledge with more junior keepers.
  15. Adheres to directives in the Zoo employee handbook, the area SOP manual, and any other supplied directives.
  16. Ability to be trained in multiple areas and buildings while maintaining a high animal care standard.
  17. Participates in or leads assigned meetings, one on ones with supervisor and can serve on internal zoo committees.
  18. Provides regular feedback on day to day activities to managers.
  19. Attends scheduled zoo-wide meetings.
  20. Completes required trainings as assigned.
  21. Carries out duties and responsibilities in a safe and efficient manner to maintain a safe work environment and surrounding area for oneself, animals, co-workers and public.
  22. May train interns and provide feedback to improve internship program according to the established intern program.
  23. ACS II will coordinate with Senior ACS and managers on daily and monthly activities and communicate operations to other specialists.
  24. Communicates verbally and/or in writing (i.e. email, ZIMS) information that affects the collection, facilities, or guest engagement to other specialists and managers in a timely manner.
  25. As directed, coordinates changes made by managers to other specialists.
  26. May be required to perform related duties as required by management.

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  Conservation and Science

  1. May participate in ex situ and/or in situ conservation initiatives. Examples include but are not limited to public education, marketing, research projects, SSPs, SAFE, TAGs, etc.
  2. May support, accommodate and/or participate in research initiatives. Examples include but are not limited to areas of animal behavior, reproduction, nutrition or health.

  Public Interactions

  1. Represents the Philadelphia Zoo in a professional manner.
  2. Adheres to Zoo dress code and presents in clean and unmarred uniforms when in public view.
  3. Provides scheduled talks, tours and presentations for VIPs, guests and zoo program participants.
  4. Provides input to Senior Animal Care Specialist and Assistant Director on enhancing guest engagement through animal care.

  Interpersonal Skills

  1. Communicates regularly with peers and managers concerning matters of animal care, safety and work schedules.
  2. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers across the organization, including volunteers and the public.
  3. Understands and follows verbal and written instructions.
  4. Demonstrates dependability, teamwork, positive attitude, resourcefulness, good judgement and uses common sense.
  5. Voices concerns constructively.
  6. Participates in or leads assigned meetings, one on ones with supervisor, and task forces.
  7. Supports a cohesive and collaborative team.
  8. Participates in leadership training and supports the Zoo’s goals of high functioning teams.

  Qualifications

  1. Bachelor’s degree in animal science or other related field with a minimum of four (4) years full-time experience with exotic animals in human care in an AZA-accredited zoological park or equivalent.
  2. One (1) year of additional demonstrated education, training or experience supporting the Essential Functions listed above may be considered as a substitute for a bachelor’s degree for a total of five (5) years.
  3. Must possess a valid driver’s license.

  Physical and Medical Standards

  1. Successful completion of a medical screening, drug test and Mantoux tuberculin test prior to beginning work.
  2. Capable of performing strenuous and/or heavy physical labor.
  3. Able to safely move and transport up to 50 pounds.
  4. Able to work from heights or in confined spaces.
  5. Ability to work outside in all weather conditions.
  6. Ability to work around plants and animals.
  7. Must obtain proof of required vaccinations prior to employment start date and demonstrate awareness of possible exposure to other infectious and parasitic diseases which may be present in the animal collection.
  8. Remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
  9. Ability to ascend, descend and work from stairs and ladders, move under low objects.
  10. Ability to use and handle hooks, tongs, catch poles, nets and other animal handling equipment.
  11. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
  12. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person as well as through radios, phones and computers.
  13. Ability to drive Zoo vehicles.
  14. Able to deal with possible exposure to dust, potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species, and potentially dangerous machinery, restraint devices and hazardous chemicals and/or drugs. Use of protective clothing or equipment may be required for some tasks, including but not limited to, goggles, masks, gloves, braces, hats, gowns, boots, etc. Work in specific areas may require ability to use other protective gear (e.g. respirators).
  15. Ability to work afternoons and/or evening shifts for events at the Zoo.

• About the company

  The Philadelphia Zoo, located in the Centennial District of Philadelphia, on the west bank of the Schuylkill River, was the first true zoo in the United States.

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