Keeper I Ambassador Animals
This position is for an entry level keeper responsible for the care and wellbeing of the Aquarium’s Education and Ambassador animal collections. This consists of a diverse array of species including raptors and other birds, small mammals, herptiles, and invertebrates. Areas of focus include animal care, training animals for guest presentations and shows, directly presenting animals to guests, and teaching Education team members effective animal handling skills.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium provides learning opportunities for all levels, interests, and ages, with the mission to inspire people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems since 1997. Since opening its new facility in Draper in March 2014, the Aquarium has welcomed over eight million visitors and provided more than 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to more than 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium showcases ecosystems from around the planet including kelp forests, coral reefs, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, Asian cloud forests, South American rain forests, and the waterways of our home state of Utah. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019. With a new expansion currently under construction and slated for completion in late 2024, LLPA will soon be the largest aquarium in the Mountain West, and 5th largest aquarium overall in the continental United States.
Functions & Responsibilities
Essential Functions
Cleaning and maintenance of equipment, supplies, animal habitats, and support spaces associated with the Education and Ambassador animal collections.
Monitoring and maintaining appropriate environmental parameters for the Education and Ambassador animal collection.
Providing high level animal care and nutrition to all animals within the Education and Ambassador animal collection.
Monitoring and assisting in responding to signs of illness/injury, stress, or other factors that may impact animal health and wellbeing.
Maintaining all necessary records, and review those records regularly in support of ensuring excellent animal care.
Responsible for supporting institutional and industry best practice standards and procedures.
Supports excellent animal wellbeing through providing enriching environments\interactions and behaviors supporting animal health
Utilizing training best practices to develop and maintain behaviors within the Education and Ambassador animal collections for situations including presentation to guests, off-site travel, and animal shows with free-flight birds.
Working closely with the Education Team to train and maintain best practice animal handling behaviors in support of the Aquarium’s mission to inspire.
Participating directly in animal presentations and shows as part of an expanding Ambassador program.
Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Skills
Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology or related field and at least 6 months of animal care experience (zoo/aquarium experience preferred).
In lieu of a degree a minimum of 2 years paid animal care experience is expected.
Must have good written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Maintains a good rapport with team members and supervisors.
Capable of participating in a team environment.
Maintains a consistent professional attitude, high motivation, and ability to accept feedback.
Learns and maintains proper time management
Knowledge of ZIMS programming is a plus.
Education & Experience
Four year degree in zoological or biological sciences. Candidates with a suitable combined equivalent of education and hands-on experience will be considered.
Minimum 6 months of internship or paid experience in an area of animal care at a zoological facility.
Candidates with prior experience working in one of the following fields will be viewed favorably: reptile and amphibian husbandry, animal behavior, ambassador animals, falconry or other raptor experience.
Job Requirements
Working Conditions
Must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
Stand for long periods of time
Drive aquarium vehicles
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, reach or feel and manipulate objects or controls. The employee is frequently required to sit, walk distances, climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch and stand for long periods for time.
