Animal Care - Keeper

Lincoln Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Keeper

Animal Care – Keeper 1

Lincoln Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Keeper

The Opportunity The Lincoln Children’s Zoo is currently seeking an individual to fulfill a keeper position working with both our animal care and ambassador team. We are looking for an individual who works well in a team environment and has experience with wildlife with a strong emphasis on operant conditioning. This position could include work with a variety of different species in different areas including but not limited to giraffe, primates, birds, carnivores, and ambassador animals.

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Lincoln Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Keeper

About the Zoo Founded in 1965, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo has been an important part of the Lincoln community for over 50 years. The Zoo is home to over 400 different animals who receive high-quality care from our trained team of Zoo professionals. The Zoo has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, Time Magazine, ABC News, USA Today, Buzzfeed, CNN, National Geographic, Forbes, Boston Globe and more.

Lincoln Children’s Zoo is one of the fastest growing zoos in the country according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In 2019, the Zoo completed work on the largest expansion in its history. This expansion added 10 acres to the Zoo’s property and featured a year-round giraffe feeding experience, Sumatran tiger habitat, indoor play area situated next to the spider monkeys, and a play stream. In 2021, Lincoln Children’s Zoo expanded even further to add new residents: cheetahs and giant anteaters. This expansion included the addition of a 25-foot-tall play structure and the Cheetah Chase Theater, which allows guests to watch a cheetah run, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph.

Lincoln Children’s Zoo creates memorable, educational, and enriching experiences for children of all ages and provides families the opportunity to learn firsthand about the natural world. Along with creating fun and educational experiences, the Zoo is committed to animal conservation efforts and saving animals from extinction. Home to over 30 species categorized as vulnerable or near-extinction, the Zoo is devoted to preserving and protecting animals for future generations.

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Lincoln Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Keeper

2023 ZOO STATS

349,564 400 ANIMALS

ZOO GUESTS

116 SPECIES

ONE OF THE

TOP 10 We are there for each other.

ZOO MEMBERS

34

SPECIES SURVIVAL PLANS

OUR MISSION: To enrich lives through firsthand interaction with living things.

FASTEST GROWING ZOOS

CORE VALUES

45,048

We generate enthusiasm.

We are humble.

We go above and beyond.

Lincoln Children’s Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

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Lincoln Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Keeper

Financial Health Lincoln Children’s Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Zoo operates from a healthy financial position and is poised for success and growth in the future. In the past seven years the Zoo has always generated a profit while reinvesting over $28 million back into the Zoo. In just over 12 years, the annual budget has grown from $1.8 million in 2011 to over $7 million in 2021.

Lincoln, Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska’s capital city, is ranked at the top as one of the happiest and healthiest cities in America. It’s a unique place with a small-town feel but big city amenities. Residents can experience the charm of Lincoln’s local art scene, flourishing restaurant industry, revitalized downtown, nice people, outdoor experiences including over 132 miles of trails, and an overall relaxed pace of life. Lincoln boasts an incredible public school system with a 13:1 student to teacher ratio and an 80.79% high school graduation rate. Additionally, Lincoln is home to the state’s largest university, the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

6.6%

ONE OF THE

MOST AFFORDABLE STATES TO RAISE A FAMILIY

18.5

BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN LINCOLN

LOWER THAN NATIONAL AVERAGE

MINUTES

HOUSING, UTILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, & HEALTH COSTS IN NEBRASKA

AVERAGE LINCOLN COMMUTE

$52,177 $142,000 $800 MEDIAN LINCOLN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

MEDIAN NEBRASKA HOME VALUE

5

/MONTH MEDIAN NEBRASKA RENT

Lincoln Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Keeper

THINGS TO DO IN LINCOLN

130+

MILES

OF WALKING & BIKING TRAILS

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STATE RECREATION AREAS

WITH 25 MILES OF LINCOLN

MORE PARKLAND PER CAPITA THAN AUSTIN, PORTLAND AND MANY OTHER US CITIES!

MUSEUMS

Sheldon Museums of Art • Morill Hall • Nebraska History Musuem • Great Plains Art Museum • & More!

MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS VENUES Multiple music and theater venues featuring local performers and national touring groups, including Broadway tours!

ATHLETICS Experience athletic events at the college and professional level with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Lincoln Saltdogs, and Lincoln Stars.

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Lincoln Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Keeper

Principal Duties • Responsible for the daily husbandry, welfare, training, and reproduction management.

• Ensures the safety of the animals, staff, and public • Conducts keeper talks and presentations • Responsible for creating, maintaining, and documenting enrichment programs, continually making progressive changes and improvements • Communicates with the animal care and veterinary leadership team regarding all health and welfare concerns.

• Facilitates and participates in training for medical procedures, in conjunction with veterinary team • Responsible for creating an environment where animals are given the greatest opportunity to exhibit natural behaviors while enhancing the guest experience

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Lincoln Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Keeper

Necessary Skills • Ability to interact with the public in an engaging and welcoming manner • Ability to work as an effective team member as well as function independently • Strong communication skills • Comfortable giving public demonstrations and tours • Positive Attitude • Accurate record keeping

Minimum Requirements • Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science, Life Sciences, Biology or related field preferred • One to two years of experience working with wildlife in a professional setting, or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

• Operant conditioning experience strongly desired.

Additional Information • Supervisor’s Title: Animal Care Supervisor • Position Pay Range: Dependent on experience • Personnel Classification: Full-time/Non-exempt with benefits

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Lincoln Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Keeper

Process Lincoln Children’s Zoo thoroughly reviews candidates through our recruiting and interviewing process. Our process incorporates hiring to our core values and mission; by doing so, we ensure our employees are just as dedicated to the team as we are to them.

Applications are currently being reviewed for this position. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible for consideration. Complete applications should be submitted via email to the contact below and should include a cover letter, current resume, and references.

Benefits We care about your health – We offer 90% healthcare coverage for individual and 50% for family including employer provided dental and vision insurance, short and long-term disability, and paid maternity and paternity leave. Additional benefits include flexible holidays to use when you choose and a $500 lifestyle spending account.

We invest in your future – Life insurance paid for by the Zoo and a 401k with employer match are available.

We love our Zoo – Employees receive a free family membership, discount tickets to Zoo events and discounts on food and beverage inside of the Zoo. We value professional development – We offer opportunities for professional development and continuing education (Memberships in professional organizations, attendance at conferences and/or training courses) We are there for each other - At the Zoo we work as a team. No job is more important than another, no work is beneath us and we are focused on pitching in and helping each other when needed.

Contact Olivia Wells Zelle Human Resources olivia@zellehr.com

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