Job Description

Job Description

Animal Care Supervisor

Parks & Recreation

Grade: 150

Salary: Grade 150 / Step 1 = $60,611.20 / year

Application Deadline:  Open Until Filled

Human Resources Department PO Box 910, 23 2nd St NE, Watertown, SD 57201

Application forms and complete position descriptions are available at City Hall, Human

Resources Department or online at  . 

Position Summary

This position is responsible to assist with overseeing the animal care and animal collections for the Bramble Park Zoo; provides for safe, sustainable, and attractive recreational opportunities for residents and the general public. 

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

1. Ensures a safe and excellent customer service experience to our residents, members and patrons.
2. Provides food preparation, feeding, animal husbandry, and maintenance of animal exhibits.
3. Perform daily observation of animals to identify normal and abnormal behaviors related to husbandry/health issues; coordinate with staff on animal training programs to facilitate husbandry behaviors.
4. Communicates questions or concerns regarding medical/health issues of specimens in collection to supervisor and veterinarian. Assists with treatment as directed by veterinarian.
5. Coordinates with animal care staff and veterinarian to carry out preventative medicine schedule.
6. Operates as a relief zookeeper to aid in supervising animal care staff.
7. Ensures animal health records and animal activity records are up to date and accurate.
8. Inputs animal records into ZIMS.
9. Oversees the enrichment and training programs to enhance animal wellbeing. Responds to customer complaints and/or concerns. Advises supervisor(s) of complaints and/or concerns not resolved. 
10. Maintains animal supplies as needed including monitoring needs, ordering, shopping, and unloading supplies to ensure they are rotated correctly.
11. Trains new employees.
12. Provides backup assistance to other department personnel as needed.
13. Performs grounds care, custodial, light maintenance services for backup purposes as needed.
14. Inspects, cleans, and performs preventive maintenance or repair on equipment used.
15. Ensure all activities are carried out in a safe manner; adheres to all safety regulations; ensures all regulations pertaining to the safe use of equipment are understood and followed.
16. Reports all accidents to the appropriate authority and follows all policies for reporting.
17. Teaches proper husbandry procedures, enrichment needs, training methods, and safety policies through active participation.
18. Monitor alarms and respond as needed
19. Oversee the animal diet program and ensure diets sheets are up to date and diets are made correctly.
20. Monitors the animal welfare program.
21. Ensure all USDA and AZA policies are followed.
22. Participate and run safety drills.
23. Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• High school diploma/equivalent and a minimum of two (2) years animal husbandry.
• A Valid Driver’s License

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s or Associate degree in a life science.
• Experience working with animals in an AZA accredited institution.
• 5 years animal husbandry ideally with a wide range of species
• Animal training experience
• Ability to take direction, give and take constructive feedback and be able to quickly act or change direction as needed

Veteran's preference points are acknowledged in the City's hiring process.

The City of Watertown's Personnel Policy, including the City's policy on Nepotism, can be obtained at the City Hall, Human Resources Department or on our website at The City of Watertown does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. EOE

Human Resources Office

City of Watertown, SD

Job Tags

Relief,

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