Senior Parks Animal Keeper

Job Description:

Senior Parks Animal Keeper

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

SENIOR PARKS ANIMAL KEEPER

SALARY INFORMATION

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive a salary range increase on the following date:

Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment is open to the public. The recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Senior Parks Animal Keeper vacancies within OC Parks. The eligible list established may also be used to fill similar and/or lower level classifications within OC Parks.

DEADLINE TO APPLY:
Friday, February 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM (PT).
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

OC ZOO

The County of Orange 's, OC Zoo is part of the OC Parks division within OC Community Resources (OCCR). Located inside Irvine Regional Park in the city of Orange, the zoo focuses on animals and plants native to the southwestern United States. Accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), the zoo opened a new large mammal exhibit in 2022, featuring mountain lions and jaguars. The zoo is home to a variety of animals, including black bears, raccoons, venomous and non-venomous snakes and lizards, coyotes, ocelots, eagles, owls, foxes, and bobcats, as well as a Children's Zoo with domestic animals.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The OC Zoo is currently seeking a Senior Parks Animal Keeper to join our team. This position represents the senior level in the Parks Animal Keeper occupational series. Senior Parks Animal Keepers are characterized by their ability to lead and collaborate with zoo personnel in caring for animals, maintaining the zoological facility, and overseeing zoo operations. This role includes registrar duties such as maintaining animal records and training staff on the zoo’s database system. Under the general supervision of the Zoo Curator or Zoo Manager, Senior Parks Animal Keepers may also serve as first-line supervisors for Parks Animal Keepers and other subordinate staff. The OC Zoo team is dedicated to delivering exceptional animal care and creating an enjoyable visitor experience.

Key responsibilities include:

• Monitor and maintain the animal record-keeping system, audit data submissions, update collection records, and train staff on database use.
• Assist in renewing Federal, State, and local permits, including tracking renewal deadlines, preparing documentation, reviewing requirements, and maintaining inspection-ready hard copies.
• Supervise work of contracted Park Attendants, Parks Animal Keepers, volunteers, and other outside contractors when necessary, including assisting with work duties, mentoring, and training.
• Provide coverage on short-staffed days by performing animal care duties typically assigned to Parks Animal Keepers.
• Conduct guided interpretive tours, presentations, and programs.
• Assist with animal medical procedures and communicate with zoo veterinarians.
• Manage inventory and procurement of supplies essential for zoo operations.
• Prepare monthly reports, review and update policies and procedures, observe zoo operations and animal welfare concerns, and propose actionable solutions.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess (5) five years of full-time equivalent experience working within a public/private zoo or wildlife sanctuary providing animal enrichment, record keeping and maintaining best practices concerning animal husbandry in a zoological setting. A Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Biology, Natural Sciences, or a related field is highly desirable. In addition to this knowledge and experience, the ideal candidate will also be in possession of the desired core competencies listed below.

Technical | Senior Animal Keeper

• Familiarity with Federal, State, and local laws governing animal acquisition, disposition, exhibition, husbandry standards, transportation, and permits within the U.S. and abroad.
• Comprehensive knowledge of proper care, feeding, medicating, and training techniques for an animal collection, as well as designing and conducting enrichment activities to support physical and mental health.
• Understanding of accreditation standards, USDA and California Fish and Wildlife regulations as they pertain to caring for animals and ensuring they are healthy, and their habitats are in compliance.
• Actively participate in maintaining clean and safe habitats for animals, including removing debris, replacing bedding, inspecting enclosures, adding appropriate substrates, raking, mowing, changing perches, seeding lawns, maintaining pump systems, and cleaning enrichment toys.

Judgement and Critical Thinking

• Demonstrate exceptional judgment and critical thinking skills, particularly as they relate to animal behavior.
• Accurately assess situations and make informed decisions, considering the well-being of both animals and humans.
• Apply problem-solving skills to address challenges and maintain a safe and efficient working environment.
• Think critically to analyze animal behavior, identify potential issues, and implement appropriate solutions.
• Adhere to established procedures and protocols, while exercising sound judgment and adaptability in daily tasks.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of safety protocols to ensure the well-being of yourself, colleagues, the public, and the animals.
• Accurately assess situations to determine when de-escalation or supervisor involvement is necessary.

Effective Written & Verbal Communication Skills

• Effectively communicate information about animal species, behaviors, habitats, and care to the public through engaging and informative presentations.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records in a zoological animal record database, including animal care, protocols, feedings, medication administration, and medical/behavioral observations.

Interpersonal Skills

• Communicate and interact effectively with the public in a variety of complex situations in a manner that conveys confidence and promotes trust.
• Working as a team to ensure proper coverage in areas and assisting when needed for training and engagement activities.
• Collaborating with teammates and supervisors if questioning behavior of animals or are unsure if something does not seem right.
• Answering questions from the public (adults and children) pertaining to the zoo and it's animals.

PHYSICAL AND MENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Strength to pull, drag, lift and carry up to 50 pounds for 50 feet. Strength to handle, restrain and maneuver large animals, including livestock, from one area to another or into a trailer for transport. Strength to capture, secure, handle and restrain a variety of animals, which may be physically uncooperative and aggressive. Agility to walk, run, physically maneuver oneself to capture and avoid injury by various animals. Ability to stand for extended periods. Body mobility to walk and run on uneven ground, climb stairs, bend, twist, reach kneel, squat and crawl to catch animals. Manual dexterity to hand write paperwork and use a computer. Vision sufficient to read standard text and fine print, a computer screen, see animals at a distance, determine depth and to distinguish colors and body language. Hear well enough to hear the approach of an animal or sounds emitted by animals.

Mental stamina for problem solving and dealing with stressful situations. Mental fortitude to focus and perform job duties in the presence of stressors such as upset citizens, aggressive animals, injured animals or deceased animals.

ENVIROMENTAL & WORKING CONDITIONS
Employees in this role will regularly work with a diverse range of animals, including large, small, aggressive, friendly, dangerous, and venomous species. The work environment may include both indoor and outdoor spaces, with potential exposure to various environmental conditions. Be prepared to work in environments that may be dusty, loud, malodorous, and potentially hazardous due to the presence of zoonotic diseases, noxious odors, animal blood, dander, pathogens, feces, urine, parasites, and injured or diseased animals. Additionally, employees may work with commonly used animal chemicals, such as flea medications, soaps, cleansers, and disinfectants. Regular interaction with members of the public is also expected.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here for information regarding the complete classification description, including the minimum qualifications for Senior Parks Animal Keeper.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the recruitment process.

Recorded Structured Oral Interview (rSOI) | Weighted 100%
The rSOI is a timed oral interview conducted virtually through an online vendor. Applicants will be asked a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job. All applicant responses will be video recorded so that they can be evaluated against pre-determined criteria by a panel of job knowledge experts. Only the most successful candidate will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related recommendations.

Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com". If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.g overnmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Rula Dabit at 714-480-2884 or email rula.dabit@occr.ocgov.com .

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 2/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$57,387.20 - $77,355.20 Annually