Animal Keeper: Ectotherm

About the Role & Team

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is seeking applicants for an Animal Keeper position on the Ectotherm Team. In this role, you will work with a team of keepers and zoological managers to carry out the daily care of the animal collection in accordance with established guidelines and conduct animal experiences for guests in a variety of situations. You must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of general husbandry, enrichment and behavioral conditioning as it relates to the daily management and research of a diverse collection of ectotherms, including exotic ectotherm ambassador species.

This is a full time, salaried position reporting to the Zoological Manager team.

What You Will Do

• Keepers are responsible for the day-to-day animal care and welfare. This includes husbandry, enrichment, and behavioral conditioning as it relates to the daily management and research of assigned species
• Ensure the daily routines of cleaning, animal observation, diet preparation and reporting medical needs or abnormal conditions to Zoological Managers
• Maintain daily animal care and welfare records, collecting and logging information, and ensuring this information is communicated to management and the central animal record keeping system
• The work includes physical labor in ambient outdoor temperatures and weather conditions in Central Florida, which may include extreme heat and humidity
• Provide animal information and conservation messages through guest and cast interaction
• Keepers must work well in a large team environment
• Partner with maintenance, operation managers, horticulture, veterinary staff, educators and scientists
• Keepers keep a flexible schedule, working a variety of shifts including early morning start times (6AM) or late evening ending times (8PM), as necessary to support operation hours

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum of three years paid animal husbandry experience in an AZA accredited facility or institution with comparable standards
• Experience working with different taxa with an emphasis on behavioral conditioning
• Observation, evaluation and data collecting skills
• Experience applying operant conditioning techniques in the field
• Proven strong interpersonal and partnering skills
• Ability to work in a large team environment
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role including lifting manure, moving doors, and carrying heavy objects (bales of bedding, feed bags, etc.)
• Demonstrates strong guest focus and promotes guest experiences

Preferred Qualifications

• Husbandry experience working with a variety of ectotherm species in breeding conditions and guest facing exhibits.
• Experience working with a variety of ectotherm ambassador species within guest experiences and education settings.

Education

High school degree or equivalent plus a minimum of either:

• Three years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA accredited institution, or in an institution with equivalent standards, and/or at least two years of verifiable college course work (60 semester hours)

or

• Five years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA accredited institution, or in an institution with equivalent standards
• Bachelor's or associate degree in Zoology or related field, preferred

Benefits & Perks

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

#DXMedia