Ambassador Animal Keeper

Position Title: Ambassador Animal Keeper

Department: Learning & Engagement

Reports To: Assistant Curator of Ambassador Animals

Location: Audubon Zoo

Starting rate $16.00 commensurate with experience

The Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is seeking a dedicated and passionate animal care professional to join our growing Ambassador Animal team. As we enter an exciting period of growth, this role offers the unique opportunity to contribute to the development of a revitalized ambassador program and collection. In 2025, the team will move into a state-of-the-art Ambassador Animal complex, providing a dynamic environment for the care and presentation of our diverse animal collection. An ideal candidate is energized by group dynamic collaboration and seeks to excel in a culture of strong communication and team success.

General Summary:

Integral members of the Learning & Engagement (L&E) team, Animal Ambassador Keepers (“Keeper”) are responsible for the daily care and welfare of Audubon Zoo’s Ambassador Animal collection. This includes daily animal care and observation, animal training and enrichment, monitoring animal health, and maintaining cleanliness of animal areas. The Ambassador collection includes a wide variety of species including reptiles, invertebrates, mammals, and birds.

Keepers are also responsible for delivering daily guest facing programming and working collaboratively with the rest of the Zoo Engagement team to provide an outstanding guest experience. Under the guidance of the Assistant Curator of Ambassador Animals, keepers are responsible for participating in and supporting daily behavioral management for the animals in their care to ensure a high level of welfare for the animals as well as support engaging and innovative programming.

As a role that is responsible for animal care, keepers will actively collaborate and partner with keepers from the Animal Care Department and the Animal Health Team. As a member of the L&E Department, this position will participate in and support a variety of educational and volunteer programming as necessary. Keepers will support the needs of Audubon Nature Institute and its various facilities as required.

________________________________________

To deliver on the Audubon mission, the Ambassador Animal Keeper will:

Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality by…

• Providing excellent daily care and welfare to a group of ambassador animals that provide unique engagement opportunities for our guests

• Maintaining the health and wellbeing of all ambassador animals through daily observation, active communication with veterinary staff, and assistance with medical procedures and treatment as needed.

• Maintaining all necessary daily records and communications for the collection to adhere to best practices and to meet all required standards and regulations

• Delivering and maintaining a robust enrichment plan and behavioral management program for all animals in the collection including operant conditioning training and environmental enrichment

• Working collaboratively with other members of the L&E Team as well as the Animal Care Department to ensure consistent and excellent guest experience

• Understanding the significance of their role and how they can make a positive impact on our guests

• Providing proactive, friendly communication and striving to anticipate guests' needs and desires

• Communicating issues or concerns to the Assistant Curator of Ambassador Animals in a timely manner

• Working collaboratively with front of house departments (Animal Staff, Guest Services, Facilities, etc.) to identify opportunities to improve guest experience.

Weave quality entertainment through guest experience by…

• Delivering daily opportunities for guests to engage with our animal ambassadors through informal and formal chats and demonstrations, animal encounters, and more

• Collaborating with and supporting the Zoo Guest Engagement team with programming as needed

• Supporting and providing program opportunities for special events as needed

Educate our diverse audience about the natural world by…

• Delivering informal programming and events throughout the year

• Working collaboratively to design and implement programs and presentations directly related to our collection and conservation messages.

• Supporting the development and delivery of programming for special events

• Actively seeking up-to-date and innovative methods for animal ambassador care, well-being and behavioral management

• Actively seeking up-to-date information on informal education methodologies and trends

• Actively seeking out and participating in professional development opportunities as approved by supervisor

The above-listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned.

________________________________________

To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the Ambassador Animal Keeper will:

Welcome

• Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.

• Wear an identification badge.

• Walk individuals to their destination instead of pointing; aid people who look confused.

• Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spills, pick up trash). Always have a camera-ready look.

Share

• Maintain a positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it)

• Coach coworkers on service expectations.

• Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.

• Know when to involve management.

Inspire

• Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers.

• Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.

• Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.

________________________________________

Supervision: This position may assist in the supervision of volunteers and interns as needed.

Experience:

• 1-3 years working in animal care, preference for experience with ambassador animals

• Experience handling animals or ability to learn to handle animals including reptiles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates

• Experience in operant conditioning training and enrichment strongly desired

• Experience in an informal learning environment and demonstrated experience working in animal presentation and naturalist chats preferred

• Demonstrated experience in effective communications with youth and adults from diverse backgrounds

Education:

• Four-year degree in a relevant field of study preferred; however, substantial paid experience may be considered as a substitute for a degree

Licensure/Certification: Must have a valid, state-issued driver’s license

Physical Requirements:

• This position involves standing or walking for up to 2/3 of the day and the ability to carry items weighing up to 50 pounds

• Ability to pass annual TB tests

• Ability to perceive visual, odor, or behavioral changes in animals to determine changes in animals’ stress level or general wellbeing.

• Must have excellent peripheral vision, depth perception, and quick motor response for animal and audience control during presentations

• Must be able to reach above shoulder level, stoop and squat to retrieve kennels and animals, which also may require stepping on stools.

• Ability to speak loudly to crowds in a variety of situations included moderate to loud crowds

• Typical ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or actions required

• Regular talking and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language expected

Environmental/Working Conditions:

• Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner required

• May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity

• Constant contact with co-workers required

• Works effectively in a moderately noisy office

• Affinity for animals required

• Ability and willingness to work in a strenuous work environment that includes working outdoors in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and fluctuating temperatures

• Must be able to work holidays, weekend and occasional after hour events

Other abilities, skills, knowledge:

• Must be goal-oriented and self-motivated

• Must have willingness and ability to take initiative

• Must be able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines for a wide range of projects

• Must have exemplary written communications skills

• Must have exemplary presentation and oral communication skills

• Must work effectively in a team environment

• Must have excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact with all levels of staff, donors, visitors, and educators