Position:  Lead Keeper Aquatics  

Department: Ectotherm

Supervisor: Supervisor of Aquatics

Curator: Curator of Ectotherms

 

Description: Under supervision, employee will serve as the Lead Keeper of the Aquatics Department at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.  

Primary responsibility is to assist supervisory and curatorial staff and participate in the general care of assigned collection animals; maintain exhibits, perform light exhibit construction; operate zoo vehicles; maintain integrity of existing exhibits.  

Employee will assist Supervisor and Curator in ensuring that all supplies and needs for their areas (ordering feed products, acquisition of tools and cleaning supplies etc.) are ordered by them or informing the appropriate staff member of the need. 

Employee will assist Supervisor to generate appropriate work requests; supervise and coach assigned staff; remain a positive role model for the keeper staff/keeper associate setting the example in their daily work.  

Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to; primary contact for coordinating interns and docents within the department, secondary contact with the Veterinary Department in animal health situations, may fill MOD duties for Zoo following proper training and when approved by the zoo Director.

Upon the occurrence that both the Supervisor and Curator are out of the office concurrently, employee will serve to lead the Aquatics Department.

Lead Keepers are full time working leads and are required to know all aspects of the day-to-day activities of their assigned areas.  He/She must be proficient in conflict resolution when dealing with staff as well as the general public.  Employee must display a positive, team-oriented attitude as well as maintain and utilize proper chains of communication during disagreements with co-workers.  Employee will be responsible for educating the public on the Aquatic Department’s animal collection and providing a friendly, safe and clean atmosphere for families to enjoy the Nashville Zoo.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Animal Husbandry

• Prepare food and water for collection animals by cutting and measuring diet portions

• Feed collection animals

• Monitor assigned animals closely with regard to general appearance, diet consumption levels, condition of fecal matter, etc.

• Maintain feed intake and habitat temperature records and ensure all staff maintain these records as well and respond to changes in an accurate and timely manner.

• Maintain a keeper log book

• Record daily observations pertaining to the health and behavior of Aquatics Department animals on a Daily Report to be submitted to the Curator

• Clean animal exhibits, and service areas

• Participate in capturing, incapacitating, and moving animals

• Assists Veterinarian staff in the treatment of collection animals

• Provide exhibit security and take appropriate actions to prevent vandalism and maltreatment of animals and facilities by the public.

• Participate and train subordinates in basic animal conditioning techniques

• Participate and upholds standards in Dangerous Animal Handling protocols and maintains skill sets and protocols as directed.  Maintains detailed knowledge of and participate aquatic venomous animal protocols and drills.

Maintenance

• Clean and disinfect utensils, work tools, and containers

• Maintain plant life in and around enclosures

• Perform minor or routine maintenance of enclosures and filtration systems and report all other maintenance needs to supervisors

• Create and maintain digital media involving new and existing graphics, in collaboration with Curator and Area supervisor of Aquatics.

• Operate a variety of light and medium equipment 

Public Education

• Coordinate daily keeper talks designed to educate the public on the Aquatic Department’s animal collection

• Respond to questions from the public concerning the animals and exhibits

• Model the Zoo’s image and code of profession