Hospital Keeper - Maryland Zoo

General Summary: The Hospital Keeper will provide care and maintenance for hospitalized and quarantined animals and their associated treatment and/ or holding areas.  The Hospital Keeper is also responsible for frequently assisting the veterinary technicians and maintaining a clean and well-functioning hospital building.  The Hospital Keeper will report to the Hospital and Conservation Programs Manager. 

Essential Functions:

Primary Function:

• Observe changes in animals’ appetite, disposition, habits, and in physical appearance and/or excreta to detect indications of stress or illness;

• 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 Hospital and Conservation Programs Manager;

• Transfer animals in accordance with Zoo policy and standards from one enclosure to another for husbandry purposes;

• Provide species appropriate and approved enrichment to animals;

• Setup species-appropriate short-term enclosures for a variety of species for sick or quarantined animals;

• Maintain familiarity with all animal recapture and restraint equipment; 

• Capture and restrain animals for routine veterinary, emergency, training or 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

• 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 and Conservation Programs Manager.

• 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 

• Perform other duties as assigned;

• Adhere to all policies and procedures of the Zoo.

Communication (Internal and External):

• Maintain reports on all animal conditions in daily reports, diary, records, etc.;

• Provide regular updates to the on duty veterinarian and the Hospital and Conservation Programs Manager on the condition and status of the animals in the hospital;

• Attend Zoo staff meetings and trainings, safety committee meetings, and departmental meetings;

• Maintain standards of professionalism and confidentiality;

• Promote the mission of the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.

Management of Resources (financial, human resources, facilities):

• Maintain inventory and order animal food and supplies from commissary needed for the Zoo Hospital and staff; 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 preferred.

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; 

• Contact with hazardous chemicals, animal related injury and diagnostic radiography; anesthesia equipment; 

• Initial tuberculosis (TB) test and physical required.

We offer an excellent benefits package including 24 days of Paid Time Off, Sick and Safe Leave and 2 paid holidays. Eligible for medical/dental/vision coverage as well as short term disability/long term

disability/life insurance. 401k with employer match available.

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.