Job Title: Seasonal Browse Keeper

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Hours: Seasonal- 3-6 months 40 hours a week

Summary:

This seasonal position is responsible for assisting the Browse Team with the safe and efficient provision of browse (tree material) and other forages to the many animal crews at the zoo. This includes fresh browse, hays, and sprouted fodder. Some browse is grown in cultivated browse gardens on zoo property, but existing and new relationships with community partners also provide large volumes of fresh browse. This position will help care for existing browse gardens and will work with community partners to supply fresh browse throughout the growing season. This position will also assist with preserving browse for use during winter months and maintaining the zoo’s hay barn. This requires strong organizational and communication skills, as well as substantial physical exertion. This position is responsible for maintaining a safe work environment for self, fellow employees, volunteers, and zoo patrons. This position falls under the direct supervision of the Browse Team Lead.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Assist the Browse Team with the collection and distribution of browse to animal areas including harvesting from off-grounds locations. This includes identifying approved and toxic tree species.
  • Collection may include safely operating a chainsaw and pickup as per OSHA guidelines.
• Assist the Browse Team with the maintenance of all browse garden areas (Safari Park and zoo grounds) including but not limited to: watering, weeding, and mulching.
• Assist with planting new browse gardens within zoo grounds.
• Maintain records of browse activities and assist with browse-related nutritional studies as needed.
• Preserve and store browse through freezing or ensiling processes.
• Assist with cleaning and maintaining inventory in the zoo’s hay barn.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong communication skills, strong work ethic, self-motivated and able to work both independently and as a team.

Tree/plant identification and care and use of gardening/ power tools.

Familiarity with basic tree identification skills preferred.

High School Degree or greater

This position may involve considerable physical exertion. Must be able to be on feet most of the day. Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

Most work is completed outside.

Candidates might be (depending on position) required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative skin tuberculosis test.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

DISCLAIMER

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.