Animal Keeper - North America (Limited Duration)

OREGON CITY, ORPosted a month ago

Job summary

• Job post source

  This job is directly from Oregon Zoo Foundation

• Job overview

  The Animal Keeper - North America (Limited Duration) role at Oregon Zoo Foundation involves caring for native North American species, contributing to animal welfare and conservation efforts within the zoo.

• Responsibilities and impact

  The job entails daily animal husbandry, observing animal behavior, administering medications, maintaining enclosures, designing enrichment programs, assisting with animal handling, conducting educational talks, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

• Compensation and benefits

  The position offers an hourly wage ranging from $30.85 to $41.36, eligibility for overtime, union representation by LiUNA, and benefits including medical, dental, vision insurance, paid leave, retirement contributions, transit pass, employee assistance, training, flexible schedules, hybrid telework options, and various employee perks like free zoo admission.

• Experience and skills

  Candidates must have a Bachelor of Science in biology, zoology, or related field and three years of professional animal keeper experience or equivalent combination of education and experience; a valid driver's license is required. Preferred qualifications include experience with dangerous carnivores, birds, and ectotherms.

• Career development

  The role offers training opportunities and potential growth within the Metro organization, supporting professional development in animal care and conservation.

• Work environment and culture

  The company values diversity, equity, and inclusion, promotes a positive team atmosphere, and maintains a safety-oriented work environment dedicated to conservation and sustainability.

• Company information

  Oregon Zoo Foundation is part of Metro, focused on conservation, research, and education, supported by a $380 million bond to transform the zoo into a leading facility for animal welfare and habitat conservation.

• Team overview

  The candidate will join a collaborative team responsible for native North American species care, working closely with various zoo departments and staff to ensure animal welfare and safety.

• Job location and travel

  The position is based in the greater Portland region with hybrid telework options available for residents of Oregon or Washington, requiring full-time availability including weekends.

• Application process

  Applicants must submit a complete online application with supplemental questions, undergo a multi-step selection process including qualification review, interviews, assessments, reference and driving record checks.

• Unique job features

  The job is distinguished by its focus on native North American species, involvement in conservation programs, use of operant conditioning, and union representation with comprehensive benefits and employee perks.

Company overview

The Oregon Zoo Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Oregon Zoo, located in Portland, Oregon. It supports the zoo’s mission of wildlife conservation, education, and animal welfare by raising funds through donations, memberships, and sponsorships. Established in 1997, the foundation plays a vital role in funding critical initiatives such as habitat improvements, species recovery programs, and community outreach efforts. Candidates should note its emphasis on sustainability and its partnerships with local and global conservation organizations to address pressing environmental challenges.

How to land this job

• Position your resume to emphasize your hands-on experience with animal husbandry, particularly with native North American species such as carnivores, birds of prey, hoofstock, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, aligning with the Oregon Zoo Foundation’s focus on these taxa.

• Highlight your knowledge and practice of operant conditioning, enrichment program design, and animal behavior observation to demonstrate your ability to meet the zoo’s high standards for animal welfare and conservation education.

• Apply through multiple platforms including the Oregon Zoo Foundation’s official careers page, Metro’s job portal, and LinkedIn to maximize your application visibility and reach.

• Connect with current Animal Keepers or conservation staff at Oregon Zoo Foundation on LinkedIn; you can break the ice by mentioning your shared passion for native species conservation or asking about the team’s approach to enrichment programs and animal welfare.

• Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'animal husbandry,' 'operant conditioning,' 'native North American species,' 'enrichment programs,' 'USDA and AZA compliance,' and 'safety protocols' to ensure your resume passes initial screenings.

• Leverage Jennie Johnson’s Power Apply feature to automate tailored resume submissions, identify all relevant application platforms, and find LinkedIn connections for networking, freeing you to focus on preparing for interviews and building your expertise.