City of San José
ZOO KEEPER AIDE (F/T) (6351)
ZOO KEEPER AIDE (P/T) (6352)

CLASS PURPOSE
   Under immediate supervision, performs routine work involving the care of zoo animals and maintenance of cages, enclosures, grounds, and service areas. Works weekends, evenings, and holidays, during all climatic conditions as assigned. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESULTS (Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)

• Prepares diets for the animal collection, cleans animal displays and holding and service areas.
• Assists animal health staff with animal handling, capture, restraint, and medication administration as directed. Assists with training of animals for husbandry and enrichment behaviors.
• Assists in preparation for presentations, capture and restraint, basic husbandry, and activity enrichment behaviors.
• Notifies immediate supervisor of any safety or health hazards.
• Handles cash as needed or assigned using adopted City procedures.
• Assists with maintenance chores, movement of animals, and loading and unloading of supplies, feeds and other goods.
• Euthanizes specified feed animals for consumption by meat eating animals.
• Responds to general questions from the public regarding the zoo.
• Provides support for the South Bay Zoological Society, Zoo Education Program, and volunteer programs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
   This class is the entry level of three in the Zoo Keeper series. It differs from the next higher class of Zoo Keeper in that incumbents of the latter class may supervise and train this class and are responsible for the care and training of more challenging zoo animals.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the basic care, feeding, and handling of domestic animals.
• Knowledge of normal animal behavior.
• Skill in the handling of animals.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions including routine procedures for care and maintenance of animals, grounds, displays, and habitats.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Ability to enter animal areas and perform physical work (including lifting objects up to 50 lbs.) under all climactic conditions.

Competency Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of routine plant and equipment care.
• Knowledge of general safety rules and regulations.
• Skill in the restraint of animals.
• Ability to fill out forms and maintain animal status logs.
• Ability to recognize and report abnormal behavior, attitude, or appearance of zoo animals.
• Ability to perform simple monetary transactions such as making correct change, and keep routine records.

Training and Experience
   Any combination equivalent to completion of high school and six (6) months of experience in the care of animals.

Licenses/Certificates
   Possession of a valid State of California driver’s license may be required.

(New 2/97)
6351s000.doc, s001