Interested in Animal Nutrition?

Prepare animal diets for the Zoo's animal collection, maintaining the cleanliness of the animal kitchen, freezer, and refrigerator, and washing animal dishes.

Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age. The qualified candidate is a good communicator, with good algebra skills. Must be able to access all areas of the facility, to lift 50 pounds occasionally and 10 or fewer pounds frequently, and to unload and shelve dry goods in grain storage up to 50-pound bags; able to stand/walk during the entire shift. Prior experience with food preparation is desirable.

Schedule: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Part-Time.

Compensation: $13.00/hour

Job Description

Under the general direction of the Animal Nutritionist, the Food Preparation Technician is responsible for the preparation of animal diets for the Zoo’s animal collection, maintaining the cleanliness of the animal kitchen, freezer, and refrigerator, and washing animal dishes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES include the following:

Maintains cleanliness of Zoo’s animal kitchen throughout the day.

Operates automatic dishwasher to wash all dishes, buckets, utensils, and enrichment items.

Performs cleaning duties at the end of the shift, such as wiping down all surfaces, disinfecting sinks, and mopping floors.

Monitors temperature of walk-in refrigerator and freezer

Cleans and mops the floor of the walk-in refrigerator.

Receives written and oral instructions concerning animal diets to be prepared.

Interprets established diets accurately.

Cuts fruits, vegetables, and other food items.

Uses scale to weigh and measure designated ingredients accurately according to written diets.

Works with many different types of food preparation equipment including, knives, blender, hot plate, and microwave.

Restocks and shelves food items in all animal food storage areas in a timely manner

Stores completed diets for the day in the animal kitchen refrigerator.

Adheres to Zoo’s cleanliness and sterilization standards.

Adheres to Zoo’s policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Policy Manual.

Follows Santa Barbara Zoo Animal Kitchen Standard Operating Guidelines/Protocols

Follows all Santa Barbara Green Business practices/standards when possible.

Follows all recognized AZA and USDA food safety handling and best practices

Attends bi-monthly all-employee meetings.

SECONDARY DUTIES:

Other Animal Care department functions as necessary.

Special team assignments as appropriate.

Washes folds and distributes towels and linens used by Animal Care/Health Department if needed.

Greets every guest with a smile.

Thanks, guests for supporting/visiting the Zoo.

Insures the Zoo’s presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance are met by keeping work areas clean, picking up trash, reporting unsafe or unsightly conditions.

Associates with guests to assist and share information.

Responds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relation procedures.

Maintains a clean neat appearance and adheres to Zoo’s uniform dress code.

Takes responsibility to stay informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending meetings.

Reflects the qualities outlined in the Guest Relations Statement and the Employee's Pledge.

POSITION CRITERIA:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and environmental characteristics described below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and working and physical elements required of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

Minimum 18 years of age

License, Certification, or Preferred Qualifications:

Some animal-related or food prep work preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

Ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.

Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Effective oral and written communication skills.

Ability to develop productive and friendly relationships at work.

Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, and our guest.

Ability to exercise safe work habits.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Requires the ability to access all areas of the facility.

Requires the ability to negotiate the zoo work environment including behind-the-scenes, lawns, gravel, and hilltop.

Must be able to lift 50 pounds occasionally and 10 or fewer pounds frequently.

Must be able to unload and shelve dry goods in grain storage up to 50-pound bags.

Must be able to stand/walk during the entire shift.

Ability to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Ability to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.

Ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Exposure to cleaning solutions.

Exposure to wheat, soy, tree nuts, legumes, or shellfish.

Exposure to sharp objects and hot surfaces.

Involves working out-of-doors in all weather conditions.

Supportive and open employment culture.

Tools Used:

Scale

Automatic dishwasher

Two-way radio

Hand tools

Standard kitchen utensils, knives, and equipment

Grinder

Hot Plate

Microwave

Blender

This job description is representative of the expectations of the position described. Additional duties, reporting relationships, and/or position criteria may be assigned as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative. No changes to this job description shall be made without written permission by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative.

The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.