Senior Nutrition Technician [Full-Time]

San Antonio Zoo

San Antonio, TX, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Automotive

Full Time

Job Description

Senior Nutrition Technician

Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio
Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As a Senior Nutrition Technician, you will perform a variety of tasks related to storage, preparation, rotation, sanitation, and delivery of animal feed and cleaning supplies throughout the zoo, including the delivery of hay and other duties involving heavy manual labor as needed. All responsibilities must be completed in accordance with USDA regulations and established departmental standards.

The work schedule begins at 5:00 a.m. This position does not involve direct contact with animals. The role requires a significant level of independent action, with less immediate supervision provided as experience and competency are gained.

In addition to daily operational responsibilities, you will assist the manager in the overall functioning of the department. This includes directing team members, maintaining accurate inventory records, supporting workflow organization, and training new hires to ensure consistent and efficient operations.

As a Senior Nutrition Technician, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:

Safely operate motor vehicles, forklifts, and other mechanical equipment.
Safely operate food-service equipment including grinders, processors, and mixers.
Prepare animal diets according to established formulas, feeding schedules, and USDA regulations.
Prepare and deliver food items throughout the zoo, often prior to daylight hours.
Receive, inspect, and process food and supply deliveries for quality and accuracy.
Dispense dry goods and cleaning supplies to various zoo locations.
Perform proper food rotation, restocking, and reporting of low inventory levels to ensure operational readiness.
Assist Nutrition Center Manager in monitoring inventory accuracy, organization, and supply levels; support ordering processes as directed.
Provide day-to-day guidance and direction to team members, helping coordinate workflow and maintain department standards.
Train, mentor, and support new hires to ensure safe practices and consistency in diet preparation and sanitation procedures.
Exercise independent judgment and take initiative in resolving routine operational issues with minimal supervision.
Establish and maintain positive, cooperative, and effective working relationships with coworkers and supervisors.
Consistently demonstrate a strong guest-service attitude, including a welcoming demeanor and attentiveness to guest needs.
Communicate with guests in a courteous and tactful manner, proactively assisting with questions and directions throughout the zoo.
Maintain cleanliness by removing trash and debris from public areas and picking up litter as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned to support department operations.

Consistently exhibit an attitude of service inside and outside of the zoo, showing hospitality to all.
Be fully committed to the mission of San Antonio Zoo to create awareness that inspires action to care for the wild world we steward and animals we protect.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in animal science, biology, culinary science, nutrition, or a related scientific field preferred.
Minimum of one year of experience working in an AZA-accredited zoo, food industry, forage management, or a related field required.
Ability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hours assignments as operational needs require.
Proficiency with business software applications (e.g., Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access) sufficient to enter data and maintain inventory databases.
Math skills sufficient to accurately perform unit conversions and diet calculations.
At least one year of experience leading a team and training employees or volunteers.
Experience with inventory management involving perishable foods.
Familiarity with AZA, USDA, and other relevant standards related to browse, food handling, and multi-species nutrition practices.
Strong customer service skills with the ability to work courteously and respectfully with coworkers, community partners, vendors, and guests.
Knowledge of animal nutrition, behavior, and biology.
Knowledge of food sanitation and food-handling procedures.
Ability to safely operate food-service equipment and light motor vehicles.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions and work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to open, enter/exit, and secure animal enclosures and service areas safely and in accordance with established protocols.
Valid Texas driver’s license with a clean driving record.

San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.