REPTILE KEEPER

Salary: R405,068.93 – 493,378.80

JOB PURPOSE:

• To manage animal husbandry and welfare for the allocated section and strives towards the conservation of the species. Maintain the quality of the exhibit/ enclosure; and maintenance thereof. Conduct accurate observation and record keeping of the animals; ensure hygiene standards are upheld.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS
Plan and Manage Sub-Section: Assist in the development and implementation of the collection
plan, animal acquisition and disposition • Participate in breeding programs • Identify surplus
animals and implement/ adhere to collection management guidelines • Develop animal husbandry
manual and updates • Assist in planning, managing and maintaining the sub-section according to
applicable standards and regulations • Ensure effective control of assets and costs • Direct and
implement exhibition/ enclosure renovation; initiates the procurement process thereof.
Animal Husbandry: Supervise team in the caring and training of animals; food preparation as per
the diet sheet and feeding; nutritional evaluation; animal health; animal treatments; medication
administering; fecal sample collections; animal capturing and transportation; pest control; hand
rearing of newborn animals; identify and report any abnormal behaviour of incidents to Curator and
Veterinarian including emergencies • Operate and maintain life support system or water bodies.
Maintenance of Enclosures: Aids in developing and implementing policies and procedures
for the maintenance of enclosures • Ensure that enclosures are safe, secure, clean and have
optimal water quality; relevant signage; electric fences in good working condition including proper
numbering of cages.
Animal Observation and Record Keeping: Conduct animal census and record observations
of the animal’s general physical condition, signs of illness, disease and discontent, abnormal
behaviour or incidents • Ensures alignment and compliance on all record keeping and reporting
procedures.
Enrichment of Animal Lives: Assist to plan and implement behavioral enrichment for the animals
according to international standards • Direct and participate in the construction of enrichment
structures, platforms and jungle gyms.
Animal Research and Education Awareness Initiatives: Participate in the development
of conservation and other research projects including educational/ commercial/ promotional
activities; data/ sample collection and media releases.
Conservation and Protected Areas: Assist with capturing of game and escaped animals; tagging
and herding of animals including the transportation process.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance to related laws/ regulations concerning the welfare,
transporting and relocating animals • Work within World Association of Zoos & Aquaria (WAZA)
and Pan African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZA) guidelines.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise time and attendance of staff; grievances; budget and
expenditure.
Optimises individual and team performance: Performance Management • Actively participates
and manages own performance levels • Mentor and support the learning and development of team
members • Contribute to team effectiveness and team cohesion.
SHEQ, Security Monitoring and Risk: Implement and monitor JCPZ safety, health, environmental
and security policies and procedures • Implement identified risk mitigation measures

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Diploma in Nature Conservation or relevant • Snake Handling
Certificate • Minimum 3 years’ experience in animal husbandry or related conservation field

Training in the handling and usage of guns and disease identification is desirable • Experience in
animal training and recording on ISIS is desirable

COMPETENCIES:

Knowledge of animal husbandry and enrichment • SHEQ Standards • Legal
knowledge • Record keeping • Report writing • Planning and organising • Research • Physical
fitness • Communication skills • Computer literacy • JCPZ policy and procedure framework

Alignment with JCPZ values • Integrity and honesty • Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork

Workplace: Johannesburg Zoo • Contact Person: Abongwe Mini
Tel: 011 712 6601 • Email CVs to: talentmanagement@jhbcityparks.com
Reference: RK20042023 • Closing Date: 13 May 2023
“Quote the reference number on the subject; failure to adhere to the given
instruction will result in disqualifying your application”

Note: Johannesburg Parks and Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. If you do not receive a response from us within 21 days after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

All the best with your applications.