Animal Kitchen Food Preparation Technician - Part Time

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Support our mission by helping feed our animals!

Position Status: Part Time, Regular, Hourly, Non-Exempt

Compensation: $19.20 - $20.70 per hour
Schedule: Friday & Sunday, opportunity for more days

Requirement: Applicant must be 18 yrs or older

JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY:

Under 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, and utensils.
• Performs cleaning duties at the end of 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 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, dicer, grinder, blender, hot plate, and microwave.
• Restocks and shelves food items in All animal food storage areas.
• 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.
• Guest Relations
• Greets every guest with a smile.
• Thanks guests for supporting/visiting the Zoo.
• Answers phone calls, voice mails, and e-mails promptly.
• 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 the 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 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 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 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
• Food Processor

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.

Compensation: $19.20 - $20.70 per hour

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Do you love animals and working with people? Join the fun, caring, friendly, and energetic team at the Santa Barbara Zoo in our mission of preservation, conservation, and enhancement of the natural world and its living treasures through education, research, and recreation.

Once you apply, please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Known as one of the world’s most beautiful zoos, it is located on 30 acres of lush botanic gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is home to more than 146 animal species living in open, naturalistic habitats. Our wonderful collaborative team includes up to 220 employees and 50 volunteers.