Zoo Assistant at eThekwini Municipality

Special Conditions

• Required to work with animals.
• Required to work in all weather conditions.
• Maybe required to work overtime.
• May be required to act in the capacity of surrounding posts.

Job Purpose
To provide efficient and effective Zoo Assistant functions within the Mitchell Park Zoo.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Prepares for day's work ensuring that tools, materials and equipment are collected.
• Attends to the care and feeding of livestock and cleaning of enclosures as directed.
• Performs general zoological functions.
• Provides the necessary nesting boxes and material/platforms required for breeding programmes during the breeding season.
• Assists with animal capture and relocation operations.
• Prepares travel boxes used in animal relocation.
• Assists with minor surgical procedures such as pinioning wing clipping under instruction from the Conservator.
• Assists in the execution of post mortems undertaken in house.
• Undertakes routine maintenance tasks such as repairs to meshing fencing, clearance of blockages, ensuring pumps intakes free of obstacles to enclosures etc.
• Assists in the redecoration/alterations of enclosures.
• Assists members of the general public with minor zoo related complaints and queries.

Competencies

• Managing work.
• Planning and organising.
• Facility specific skills.
• Workplace safety.
• Service delivery orientation.
• Resilience.
• Accountability and ethical conduct.
• Problem solving.
• Learning orientation.

Essential Requirements

• Grade 12 (NQF Level 4) or equivalent.
• 3 months relevant experience working with animals in a zoo environment.

Preferred Requirements

• 6 Months relevant experience working with animals in a zoo environment.