Location: Grand Rapids,MI, USA
John Ball Zoo
Senior Ambassador Zookeeper
Senior Ambassador Zookeeper
The Ambassador Animal Care team provides overall care, training, and presentation of ambassador animals, ensuring optimal human and animal safety while providing guests with engaging and educational animal experiences. As the senior keeper on this team, this position guides the team in daily operations, mentors new staff, and, under manager direction, liaises with other teams and departments. This position also assists with animal ambassador program development, animal training and conditioning for programs, and presenter training.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SENIOR ZOOKEEPER ON THE AMBASSADOR ANIMAL CARE TEAM AT JBZ
A senior zookeeper on the Ambassador Animal Care team leads, under the direction of management, the overall care and training of the ambassador animals, and provides engaging and educational animal experiences to guests. This position will collaborate with teammates and managers to ensure daily animal care and overall team progress and success. This includes care, feeding and training of exotic and domestic animals; the cleaning and maintenance of buildings, exhibits, and yards; observation and reporting on the physical and behavioral conditions of the animals; medical treatment; related record keeping; and presentation of ambassador animals for pre-approved educational programming. As a leader in the team, the position will support and encourage the team to enhance the performance of co-workers and team morale. Working on the Ambassador Animal Care team, this position will frequently collaborate with the Education and Volunteer departments. Under the direction of management, this position will liaise with other teams and departments on animal care, animal presentation, and building maintenance. This position will frequently train exotic and domestic animals for husbandry, medical, and presentation behaviors. This position will guide and coach new staff and volunteers working in the space and presenting animals for educational programming.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE SENIOR ZOOKEEPER ON THE AMBASSADOR ANIMAL CARE TEAM AT JBZ
* At least five years of experience in exotic animal care or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience in animal training and a bachelor's degree in life sciences or a related field.
* Demonstrated strong public speaking skills, delivering formal and informal engaging educational presentations for audiences of varying sizes and ages. Simultaneously providing educational presentations while training animals is desired.
* At least 3 years of professional animal training experience using positive reinforcement techniques. Experiencing teaching and mentoring others in animal training is strongly preferred.
* Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to ensure thorough and effective communication with a broad spectrum of stakeholders include, but not limited to: team members, managers, volunteers, leadership, and guests.
* Experience leading a team and mentoring others preferred.
* Ability to develop positive professional relationships with all levels of staff and volunteers
* Demonstrated computer competence to complete required record keeping and communication. Experience using ZIMS desired.
* Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
WHO WE ARE
At John Ball Zoo, our mission is to inspire our community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and our natural environment. John Ball Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1983 which assures excellent animal care and a dedication to conservation. As one of the top attractions in Grand Rapids, we welcome over 700,000 guests each year who are able to experience over 2,000 animals of over 230 species that represent the beautiful wildlife living in our world! We are passionate about our mission focused on education and conservation but know that our 120+ full time and 350 seasonal people guided by our core values accomplish this mission. Our core values are: Conservation, Education, Community, Celebrate, and Compassion.
This position's pay ranges based on experience: $20.62 - $24.03 per hour
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.
WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Employee will work in various environments both inside and outside and will be exposed to inclement weather; pollen, mold, dust, dirt, and other airborne contaminants; and temperature variations. Must be able to tolerate exposure to anti-bacterial, disinfectants and other cleaning compounds. Must be able to wear all required protective clothing and equipment. Must be able to work near exotic and domestic animals and tolerate exposure to animal dander, animal wastes, and other zoonotic contaminants. Must be able to lift at least 50lbs and stand for at least two hours. Must be able and available to be tested annually for tuberculosis. Must be, or able to be, immunized against Hepatitis-B and rabies.
NEW TO 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 the 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!
John Ball Zoo is a drug free facility under federal regulations. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. We invite individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, hairstyles, or any other characteristic to join our team where diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated.
We envision a future of being a world-class zoo, a premier education facility, a renowned conservation center, and a wildly successful national visitor attraction. Want to help make the adventure come alive? Apply today and join us!
How to Apply
Visit our career page at and apply today!
John Ball Zoo
1300 Fulton St W
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Phone: 616#######
Fax: 616#######
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