Job Description

Hospital & Conservation Keeper

The Hospital & Conservation Keeper will provide expert care including handling and training of hospitalized and quarantined animals, both from the Zoo's collection as well as wildlife patients and their associated treatment and/or holding areas. The Hospital & Conservation Keeper is also responsible for maintaining clean and well-functioning animal spaces and rooms within the hospital building. The Hospital & Conservation Keeper also actively supports the conservation and research programs of the Zoo including the Eastern box turtle project and headstarting programs. Additionally, the Hospital & Conservation Keeper will support the Zoo's mission to save wildlife and protect wild places and contribute to its environmental, social, governance sustainability, conservation, education, and DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) goals.

Essential Functions:

• Observe changes in animals' appetite, disposition, habits, and in physical appearance and/or excreta to detect indications of stress or illness;
• Provide specialized care to ill hospitalized patients to reduce stress and aid in recovery;
• Inspect enclosures, fencing, pools, and furniture for cleanliness and/or structural defects and to perform minor repairs as needed;
• Prepare diets for animals, clean and fill water containers, and place food in exhibits at specified times;
• Clean enclosures and associated animal areas according to the area protocols or as directed by the Senior Supervisory Veterinarian;
• Transfer animals in accordance with Zoo policy and standards from one enclosure to another for husbandry purposes while adhering to Zoo safety protocols;
• Provide species appropriate and approved enrichment to animals;
• Plan, communicate, and execute specific and specialized training programs in conjunction with animal department staff for hospitalized collection animals and quarantined animals;
• Setup species-appropriate short-term enclosures for a variety of species for sick or quarantined animals;
• Provide care for confiscated patients when presented to the Zoo for care;
• Provide care to wildlife patients when presented to the Zoo;
• Support Zoo's conservation programs including the Eastern box turtle monitoring project, and Wood Turtle and Alleghany Woodrat Headstarting Projects;
• Maintain familiarity with all animal recapture and restraint equipment;
• Capture and restrain animals for routine veterinary, emergency, husbandry, and management procedures;
• Assist with medical care procedures and administer medication as directed;
• Provide routine maintenance of facilities and minor repair of equipment, exhibits, and all animal and staff areas of the Zoo Hospital, excluding the procedure rooms, and including work orders as needed;
• Maintain and clean all animal and staff areas of Zoo Hospital excluding the procedure rooms, offices, and lobby and library area on a weekly basis and empty trash and recyclables as needed;
• Provide general maintenance of grounds in and around the Zoo Hospital;
• Maintain pest management strategies;
• Maintain structural safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, eye wash stations and emergency shower on a monthly basis;
• Coordinate facilities and outside contractors for building maintenance and projects, including escorting and careful monitoring of facilities and contractor activities in animal areas of the Zoo Hospital and report activities and updates to Hospital Clinical Manager;
• Work with other hospital staff to plan and design hospital renovations and equipment needs;
• Act as a member of the Animal Recapture Team as needed and directed;
• Drive off Zoo grounds as needed to deliver or pick up samples, equipment, and carcasses;
• Assist in the preparation and clean-up of procedures and surgical equipment; process laboratory samples, prepare medications and any other veterinary assistant duties as needed;
• Support the Zoo's mission to save wildlife and protect wild places and contribute to its environmental, social, and governance sustainability goals;
• Promote the mission of the Maryland Zoo;
• Perform other duties as assigned; and
• Adhere to all policies and procedures of the Zoo.

Communication (Internal and External):

• Maintain reports on all animal conditions in daily reports in ZIMS;
• Maintain communication between members of the Hospital & Conservation Keeper team to ensure consistent patient care;
• Provide regular updates to the Hospital Clinical Manager and other veterinary staff on the condition and status of the animals in the hospital; and
• Attend required Zoo staff meetings.

Management of Resources (Financial, Human Resources, Facilities):

• Maintain inventory and order animal food and supplies from commissary needed for the Zoo Hospital and staff;
• Maintain hospital vehicle fleet, including registration and inspection needs;
• Submit work orders for hospital building needs;
• Track patient needs such as fecal samples and weights based on care sheets and as directed by the Hospital Clinical Manager;
• Coordinate with Hospital Clinical Manager and Hospital & Conservation keeper specialist to maintain care sheets, diet sheets, exit forms for hospitalized, quarantined, and wildlife patients; and
• Monitor and maintain equipment to ensure the tools remain in good working condition.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in zoology, biology, veterinary science, or related field required.

Experience/Training:

• Three years of paid or unpaid animal experience, in a zoological institution or veterinary clinic preferred;
• Basic knowledge of Google Suite, Microsoft Office software programs and data entry; and,
• Valid driver's license.

Traits Desirable:

• Ability to work with a wide variety of individuals from ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds;
• Ability to operate both independently and as part of a team in a productive and efficient manner with proper time management skills;
• Extremely well organized;
• Self-directed, collaborative, and detail oriented; and,
• Possess a positive attitude and a general philosophy/outlook in line with the Zoo's mission.

Equipment:

• Must be able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including computer, telephone, radio, and vehicles, hand tools, animal restraint and capture devices, incubators, gardening/carpentry tools and machinery, computer, scales, etc.

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 25 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb, balance; Must be able to climb a ladder carrying up to 15 pounds.
• Must be able to lift 75 pounds with assistance and 50 pounds unassisted as needed;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays, and special events;
• Must be able to stand and remain active for an eight-hour shift;
• Must be able to travel large areas of the Zoo as needed;
• Must be able to work in an outdoor weather environment in all seasons and weather, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions;
• Exposure to zoonotic diseases and risk of animal attack;
• Exposure to potential environmental hazards such as poison oak/ivy, uneven terrain, insect bites/stings, and Hepatitis B depending on the position;
• Contact with hazardous chemicals, animal related injury and diagnostic radiography; anesthesia equipment; and;
• Initial tuberculosis (TB) test and physical required.

Benefits:

• We offer an excellent benefits package including 24 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), Sick and Safe Leave, and 2 paid holidays.
• Eligible for medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) with employer match.

Disclaimer: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified. Therefore, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change.

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