Venue Keeper I - Full Time

Job Description

Job Title: VENUE KEEPER I

Department: Animal Care

Reporting Relationship: Supervisor, Lead, and Director of Animal Care

Status: Full Time/Non-Exempt

Starting Wage: $14.00 p.h.

We offer vacation, PTO's and great health, dental and vision insurance and so much more.

Job Responsibilities:

• Excellent customer service is your number one responsibility. You will use these skills while interacting with Gatorland’s guests, giving dynamic presentations, and selling animal feed in the interactive exhibits.
• Deliver information to Gatorland’s guests. Be prepared to answer questions about park hours, show times, park history, and everything animal related
• Become familiar with company policies and procedures.
• Prepare and distribute food as directed for the contact animals

• Observe assigned animals closely. Routinely and objectively report their behavior, health, and welfare on daily reports and to a supervisor. Keep animal records as assigned.
• Clean, maintain, and sanitize animal exhibits and service areas. Report any maintenance issues or needed repairs to a supervisor.
• Provide animals with behavioral and environmental enrichment as directed. Keep records as assigned.
• Become proficient with special procedures including care, capture techniques, and husbandry of assigned animals.
• Begin safety and operation training on tools and equipment used in the Animal Care department.

Additional Keeper I Expectations and Responsibilities

Initial training for animal husbandry will involve Class III animals and birds (including but not limited to: cattle, deer, petting zoo animals, raccoons, sloths, parrots, owl, aviary flock, hedgehogs, skunks, emu, small reptiles, capybara, tortoises, etc.) *This level EXCLUDES being cleared on husbandry and hands-on interactions with Class I & II Felines and large Crocodilians when performing job duties alone until fully trained & cleared by supervisor. Handling alligator and crocodile grunts for guest encounters is permitted. You may be permitted to shadow a level Keeper II or higher when maintaining the Class I or II animal enclosures. You will NOT be permitted to enter an enclosure with any Class I or II animal unless otherwise approved by the department manager (this rule excludes yearling crocodilians). These rules are subject to change at the discretion of the department manager.

Summary of Duties:

Provide outstanding guest service, give dynamic public presentations, assist guests in our animal contact and venue areas, provide general care for the animals, and maintain exhibits and service areas.

• Assist venue attendants as needed/directed by Lead & Supervisor
• Commissary maintenance/clean dishes, prepare animal diets, sweep floors, etc. as needed (am & pm)
• Opening/closing daily designated areas and projects
• Focus on implementing daily enrichment for animals
• Assist with bird wing/nail trimming maintenance
• Assist higher level keepers on assigned daily tasks as needed/directed
• Perform animal encounters as assigned (guest interaction with animals)
• Maintain our high-level expectations of animal care and husbandry
• Utilize critical thinking skills when executing daily operations/husbandry
• Follow all department policies and procedures

Education, experience and specialized skills and knowledge requirements:

Position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Some animal experience is preferred, but not mandatory. Excellent customer service is a must. Good communication/organizational skills and the ability to work well with others in a team environment are a must. Candidate should be able to life 50 pounds; this position may require other physical demands such as bending, stretching, climbing, etc.; and working in extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, etc.). Must be able to work a varied schedule including weekends and holidays.

This Job Description In No Way Implies That These Are The Only Duties To Be Performed By The Employee. The Jobholder Will Be Required To Follow Other Instructions And To Perform Other Duties Upon Request Of Supervisor. EOE