Performs a variety of duties that ensure the proper care, feeding, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of Asian elephants.

WG-5:

• Provides for the daily care of Asian elephants in the collection.
• Actively participates in the training and enrichment programs for Asian elephants.
• Receives, inspects, stores, prepares, and issues food and dietary supplements, forage, and bedding materials;
• Monitors Asian elephants for symptoms of illness, injuries, or other unusual conditions; and reports observations.

WG-7: In addition to the WG-5 duties:

• Connects with visitors regarding animal natural history, conservation programs, natural habitats, status in the wild, care and feeding of Asian elephants and other topics of interest.
• Assists professional and scientific personnel in carrying out studies of animal collections.

WG-9:

• Provides for the daily care of Asian elephants in the collection.
• Actively participates in the training and enrichment programs for Asian elephants.
• Receives, inspects, stores, prepares, and issues food and dietary supplements, forage, and bedding materials;
• Monitors Asian elephants for symptoms of illness, injuries, or other unusual conditions; and reports observations.
• Connects with visitors regarding animal natural history, conservation programs, natural habitats, status in the wild, care and feeding of Asian elephants and other topics of interest.
• Assists professional and scientific personnel in carrying out studies of animal collections.

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation.
• May need to complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

PHYSICAL EFFORT
The work requires the ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 100 pounds. The work also requires extended periods of standing, walking, bending, and stooping.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. The incumbent is exposed to dust and to unpleasant odors and noises from the animals and to cleaning solutions and other chemicals. The work is performed on concrete floors and other hard surfaces. The work may be performed in closed or cramped spaces. The incumbent is exposed to bites, scratches, and animal waste, and may be exposed to animal parasites and zoonotic diseases.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS
The incumbent must receive immunizations to guard against zoonotic diseases and is subject to regular medical screening.

The incumbent may be assigned to any eight hour shift and is subject to call at any time, including weekends and holidays.

The incumbent is considered to be emergency personnel for purposes of being on call and during government shutdowns due to inclement weather, Code Red terrorism alerts, and other emergency situations, to ensure adequate animal care is provided as required.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.

For information on the Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations, see OPM’s web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c/index.htm.

Qualifications

Veterans who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.
Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the announcement questions will not be considered for this position.

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In order to be rated qualified, an applicant's overall experience and training must indicate possession of the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

How you will be evaluated:
Applications will first be evaluated to determine whether the following screen out element is met:

Grade 5:

1. Ability to do the work of an Animal Keeper by assisting in a full range of specialized duties that contribute to the proper care, feeding, training, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of elephants. Under general supervision, engages with visitors, donors, special guests and media regarding the natural history, conservation programs, natural habitats, status in the wild, care and feeding of Asian elephants.

Grade 7:

1. Ability to do the work of an experienced Animal Keeper by performing a full range of specialized duties that provide for the proper care, feeding, training, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of elephants. Engages with visitors, donors, special guests and media regarding the natural history, conservation programs, natural habitats, status in the wild, care and feeding of Asian elephants.

Grade 9:

1. Ability to do the work of an experienced Animal Keeper by performing a full range of specialized duties that ensure the proper care, feeding, training, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of elephants. Principal contact for visitors, donors, special guests and media regarding the natural history, conservation programs, natural habitats, status in the wild, care and feeding of Asian elephants. Familiarity with the nutritional support and exposure to the methodology involved in the restricted contact management of a social group of elephants.
   
   If an applicant meets the screen-out element, the following Job Elements will be evaluated:

2. Ability to care for elephants in an AZA-accredited zoo or similar setting.
3. Knowledge and experience in collecting data for animal care or research.
4. Skill in conducting animal demonstrations and tours.
5. Knowledge of implementation of animal enrichment items.
6. Skill in implementing behavioral husbandry programs for wild or exotic animals.

Applicants who meet or exceed the screen-out element will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:
Best Category - Meets the screen-out element and excels in most of the job related elements above.
Better Category - Meets the screen-out element and satisfies most of the job related elements above.
Good Category - Meets the screen-out element, but does not satisfy most of the job related elements above to a substantive degree.
This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-veterans within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no veteran in that category is passed over to select a non-veteran in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.

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