Nashville Zoo Education Department Wild Life Careers Program Post-Visit Activity Apply for a job! 1. Students will read and discuss the pages on “Improving your chances of getting a keeper job” and choose one area in which they are interested. 2. Students will choose one of the job postings and draft a cover letter and resume of someone who is qualified for the job. So you want to be a Zoo Keeper? Courtesy of St. Louis Zoo (http://www.stlzoo.org/animals/soyouwanttobeazookeeper/) If you are in elementary school… Knowing about animals, conservation and the natural world is a big part of a zoo career, and it's never too early to start learning! Have an adult take you on nature hikes, as well as on trips to zoos, aquaria, parks, and natural history museums. Read books and magazines, visit websites on natural history, wildlife and related topics. Watch nature shows on TV. See if your parents will allow you to keep a pet. Taking care of dogs, cats, hamsters, tropical fish and other small pets will teach you a lot about responsible animal care. Join science clubs, participate in scouting activities, and volunteer to help with fieldwork projects that take place in your community. Observe wildlife when you're outdoors, and bring along a field guide on birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects or plants to help you better appreciate what you're seeing. Keep a nature journal. Take a class on animals or nature at your local zoo, animal sanctuary, or park. Work hard in school, not just in classes on science and nature but in all subjects. Chances are you still don't know for sure what you want to do when you grow up. So learn as much as you can in all of your classes. After all, there are a lot of different kinds of jobs in zoos -- from exhibit developer to accountant to computer programmer -- and only about one in 10 involve working with animals. Keep your options open! Whether or not you finally decide to become a zookeeper, zoologist, or naturalist, we hope you attain a life-long interest in animals and in the natural world. Updated: September 2014 1 3777 nolensville road nashville, tn 37211 (615) 833-1534 fax: (615) 333-0728 www.nashvillezoo.org Nashville Zoo Education Department If you are in middle or high school… Begin preparing for a zoo career by reading about animals, observing them, and associating with "animal" people. (And be sure to check out the suggestions we've listed above for elementary school students -- they could apply to you too.) Tell your middle school or high school guidance counselors if you're interested in pursuing an animal-related career. They'll help you choose the right classes to help prepare you for further education in college. If you're old enough to get a part-time job, consider working or volunteering at a pet shop, veterinary hospital, animal shelter, livestock farm, horse stable, pet breeder or even a zoo, if possible. This kind of work can help you gain valuable experience that could be helpful in a zoo career. When you're considering which colleges or universities to attend, find those that specialize in programs of particular value to professional zoo work. These include general biology, zoology, (including specialty subjects like mammalogy, herpetology, etc.), wildlife and forestry, animal husbandry, ecology, veterinary medicine and ethology (animal behavior). If you are in college… Take courses in fields that will prepare you to be a zookeeper, such as zoology, general biology, forestry, animal husbandry, ecology, veterinary medicine, environmental studies, etc. Get a bachelor's degree in one of the above-mentioned science fields; even if it's not a prerequisite for a zookeeping position, it will help you in your job search. A master's degree is usually not necessary, unless you're looking for a higher-level position. Get a part-time job in an animal-related facility, including vet hospitals, humane society shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers, farms and stables, even a zoo, if possible. In addition to good academic preparation, most zoos prefer to hire people for zookeeping positions who have prior animal-handling experience. Check at your local zoo or aquarium for internship and externship positions. These are normally offered to college and university students, recent graduates, and individuals with prior college coursework in the area of biology, zoology, education, animal science or related fields. Internships and externships are a good way to learn about the zoo field while obtaining valuable, hands-on work experience in animal care, wildlife conservation or environmental education. Updated: September 2014 2 3777 nolensville road nashville, tn 37211 (615) 833-1534 fax: (615) 333-0728 www.nashvillezoo.org Nashville Zoo Education Department If you are ready to look for a job… Contact your local zoo or aquarium's Human Resources department for job openings that may interest you. A good zoo demands a team of professionals with different backgrounds, so the vast majority of people who work at zoos have jobs that don't involve any work with animals. But if you're intent on an animal-related career at a zoo or aquarium, keep in mind that keepers and animal curators are in limited demand. Also remembers that many zoos are locally supported by local taxes and must recruit new talent from within the community. We suggest you contact your nearest zoo for its hiring policies. A Keeper’s Day Courtesy of AAZK (http://www.aazk.org/wp- content/uploads/keeper_information.pdf) Animal Husbandry o Exhibit maintenance . Scrubbing, cleaning, fixing anything that’s broken o Diet prep . Weighing out food items, adding vitamins o Animal observations . Ensuring the animals are well cared for . Introducing species . Research observations, etc o Training/Enrichment . Keeping schedules of enrichment . Keeping training schedules . Training new behaviors . Having patience and flexibility when providing these opportunities o Administering health care under the supervision of a veterinarian Writing protocols and proposals Networking with zoos and aquariums around the world Understand that safety is #1 Becoming involved in research projects…maybe even pioneering one Public speaking o Keeper chats Updated: September 2014 3 3777 nolensville road nashville, tn 37211 (615) 833-1534 fax: (615) 333-0728 www.nashvillezoo.org Nashville Zoo Education Department o Behind-the-scene tours o Presentations to a wide variety of audiences Realize that if an animal is sick, you are technically on call 24/7 How to Write a Winning Résumé 1. As you begin to create your résumé, you need to invest time researching the subject. Visit a local library or bookstore and review professionally written résumés that focus on your job title, area or industry. Concentrate on content, format and style. 2. Job advertisements and official position descriptions are a treasure chest for résumé writers. Not only do they include required skills and experience, they also contain industry buzzwords or keywords. 3. Including a profile or qualifications summary in the beginning of your résumé is an opportunity to form a positive image in the employer's mind. Take time to develop and write your profile. 4. Limit the résumé's length to one or two pages. 5. Try to present work experience in reverse chronological order. 6. Focus on achievements, not tasks. Updated: September 2014 4 3777 nolensville road nashville, tn 37211 (615) 833-1534 fax: (615) 333-0728 www.nashvillezoo.org Nashville Zoo Education Department [Sample Resume] AMY SMITH 123 Main Street • Atlanta, Georgia • 30339 Home: (555) 555-1234 Cell: (555) 555-1235 Email: asmith@sample~resume.com •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Objective: Seek the Position of Zookeeper SUMMARY: Exceptionally talented Zookeeper with over six years experience participating in and assisting in the supervision of work involving the care of animals and the maintenance of facilities at the Zoo. Summary of Qualifications Thorough knowledge of the habits, characteristics and natural and captive environment of zoo animals. In-depth knowledge of the construction, maintenance, and appropriate cleaning methods of zoo exhibits and facilities. Immense ability to supervise the work of subordinates. Exceptional ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Great ability to write and speak effectively on a variety of subjects relating to animals and zoo management. Solid ability to deal courteously with zoo visitors and to enforce zoo regulations tactfully. Uncommon ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public. Professional Experience Greenwood Park Zoo, Minneapolis Zookeeper II 2002 - Present Formulate diets and determine feeding schedules based on veterinarian recommendations. Supervise and participate in the cleaning and disinfecting of cages, dens, houses, food trays, and water pans; drain and clean swimming tanks; collect and properly dispose of refuse. Observe animals for signs of illness and injury; assist veterinarian in health care of animals, including treatment, vaccination, surgery, x-rays and other laboratory tests and procedures. Perform animal immobilization, crating, shipping, receiving, isolation, and quarantine activities. Supervise and participate in the maintenance, repair, and grounds keeping of an assigned area. Check cages and locks to assure that animals are securely and safely held. Prepare orders for animal feed, equipment, supplies, materials and veterinary medications; keep animal care and maintenance records and inventories for assigned area. Updated: September 2014 5 3777 nolensville road nashville, tn 37211 (615) 833-1534 fax: (615) 333-0728 www.nashvillezoo.org Nashville Zoo Education Department Recommend improvements to animal care and management and exhibition of animals at the zoo. Conduct talks and lectures for school and other groups; answer questions from the public relating to animals, their habits and habitats. Perform related work as required. Greenwood Park Zoo, Minneapolis Zookeeper I 2000 – 2002 Performed general day-to-day care and feeding of the animals.