JOB PURPOSE:

• Participate and perform duties associated with animal husbandry, i.e. daily care of animals (feeding, removal of waste), maintenance of enclosures and conduct behaviour observations. 

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:

•  Adhere to all animal care procedures as per animal husbandry manual  Assist in the loading/off-loading of animal feed  Verify food is prepared as per diet sheet and feed animals accordingly  
• Remove left over food after animals have eaten  Assist Keepers in ensuring that the animal within allocated section is content and healthy
•  Handle animals as required and assist in restraining/controlling problem animals (as directed by superior)  Assist Veterinarian/ Nurses with the application of animal treatments to ward off pests and administration of medications or restraint  Assist in hand rearing of new-born animals and animal training  
• Monitor temperature of temperature-controlled enclosures  Provide suitable browse for animals as identified by the section Curator or Keeper  
• Ensure cages and animals are properly numbered and identified  Capacitated to act in the absence of a Keeper  Adhere to all animal care maintenance procedures
• Clean and disinfect all areas of the enclosure including windows thereof  Perform the required cleaning and maintenance of all equipment and tools  Monitor electric fences daily; prevent and escalate holes to prevent animal escape  Ensure enclosures are safe, secure and clean
•  Adhere to collection management policies, processes and procedures  Assist in daily animal census  Conduct daily animal observation of general physical condition, signs of illness, disease and discontent, record observations and report any abnormal behaviour or incidents to supervisor immediately
•  Assist with recording of all animal movements (feeding times; food consumed; faecal observation; births/deaths; behavioural changes/reproductive behaviours; temperature of enclosure)  Provide input into animal husbandry manual on an annual basis  Provide enrichment for the animals under the directorship of the Curator, the Keepers, the Veterinarian and the Enrichment Officer  
• Participate in the construction of enrichment structures, platforms and jungle gyms  Provide food to animal that caters to sensory enrichment needs  Participate in Zoo environmental awareness/ education programmes  Participate in conferences specific to Johannesburg Zoo animals  
• Participate in and share observation data for research and conservation projects  Activities may include capturing of game and escaped animals; tagging and herding of animals  Assist in the transportation process of animals  
• Ensure compliance with provincial, governmental and international laws concerning the keeping, transporting and relocating animals  Work within World Association of Zoos & Aquaria (WAZA) and Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZA) guidelines  Participate and manage own performance levels  
• Ensure regular one-on-one meetings to discuss progress of areas of accountability  Attend agreed courses/ programmes as per the role  Respond politely to public enquiries and refer to superiors  Provide input for SOPs for the department  Implement and monitor JCPZ safety, health, environmental and security policies and procedures  
• Ensure Department adheres to JCPZ SHEQ policies and procedures  Implement identified risk mitigation measures within training sessions.  Zoo operates throughout the year and employees will be expected to work over the weekends.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:  

• Matric / Grade 12  Course on animal care, management or related field  
• Demonstrated experience in animal care or related Zoo experience.