Junior Zoo Keeper Information

The Junior Zoo Keeper (JZK) program is committed to providing a meaningful and educational experience for students; ages 15-18 who are seeking the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through hard work and promoting Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s mission of conservation, education and recreation.

JZK members work in various animal areas around the Zoo, and work directly with the Animal Keepers of those areas. In this program, education staff, animal department staff, veterinary staff and horticulture staff work closely to provide a meaningful experience for the teens involved. The JZK program is a multi-level program designed to provide an increasing challenge to teens each year they return to the program. Some duties will include: helping with animal care, basic husbandry, cleaning animal enclosures, talking to the public about conservation efforts, and of course joining the Teen Program for outdoor EdVentures!

As a part of this experience, JZKs will work alongside the Animal Department, and they will participate in physical work: cleaning animal exhibits inside and out, raking animal areas, spreading hay, preparing diets, lifting 30+ pounds, making minor repairs to enclosures and assisting Zoo keepers with exhibit modifications. This work is done in all kinds of weather, every day of the year.

Each JZK member will log their hours throughout the summer beginning the first day of the program through their last day. At the end of the summer those hours will be totaled and you will receive an official signed certificate verifying your completed hours. Each month you will receive an updated total number of hours. We require a minimum of 120 hours during the entirety of the program season.

1. You are now an official representative of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! This means you should be positive AND professional at all times when you are at the Zoo.

2. Always show respect - for animals (Zoo and wildlife), our environment, guests, peers, staff, volunteers, docents, etc. Show respect for the material property of others.

3. Be willing to help with whatever is asked of you; try to get to a project before you have to be asked. You can always choose the attitude you have about what you do even if you can’t choose exactly what you’re doing, help will always be given at the Zoo to those who ask for it.

4. Be patient- not everything is fun all of the time, and there are a lot of teenagers that participate in the program. Please be patient with your peers, staff, supervisors, teen leaders, keepers, etc. Everyone wants to help, but it may take time.

5. Be discrete regarding information you learn while working at the Zoo. If you aren’t sure what information you can share in regards to the Zoo family, please check with the Teen Program Supervisor.

6. Be dependable and communicative, stick to your schedule and let the Teen Program Supervisor know if you cannot make it to your shift (calling information below)

7. Sometimes things change, be flexible – your schedule could change throughout the day, just know that we need your help and want to make each day as fun as possible.

8. Engage with Zoo guests in conversations and try to answer their questions. –If you don’t know an answer to a question, say “I don’t know, but I’ll try and find out.” Than do your best to find someone who knows the answer. By the end of the summer you will have learned so much!

9. Use appropriate language and behavior, there are ears everywhere- so be mindful of how you are conducting yourself.

10. Working at a Zoo is hard, so be prepared to work in a variety of areas and in different weather conditions. Bring your water bottle, keep it full and remember to wear Sunscreen. Whenever you need a break from physical work just let a supervisor know!

11. Work cooperatively with other teen in the program, all Zoo Staff, guests, volunteers, and docents. We all work together as a team, so let’s help each other out!

12. Be a true Zoo steward by helping keep the grounds clean- picking up trash whenever possible, opening doors for guests, and helping guide guests who need directions. – It’s everyone’s responsibility and that includes you!

Have fun! This summer will be lots of hard work and long days, but it will be lots of fun too!

We focus on being as flexible as possible with teen scheduling. We use an online website Sign Up Genius to coordinate all schedules for teens. This makes it possible for families to sit down at home and choose the dates their teen can be at the Zoo. You have the capability to add, edit, and delete shifts from your home using this online system.

Here are a few pointers for scheduling:

• Teens are encouraged to work 120 hours over the Summer season

• You will be sent a link to your online sign up where you can see all available shifts

• Sign ups will lock 24 hours prior to the shift which doesn't allow for changes without a Teen Program staff approval

It is very important that you coordinate your schedule with the Teen Program Supervisor if there are any changes in the schedule that you have previously signed up for, those requests need to be made in writing or in person and given to the Teen Program Supervisor. All scheduling will be done through Sign Up Genius (www.signupgenius.com) and it is YOUR responsibility to show up for your selected shifts. If you do not show up for a shift and you have not let the Teen Program Supervisor know it will result in a written NO CALL NO SHOW form. Once you receive two of these forms you will be removed from the schedule for two weeks.

Sign in and Sign Out Procedure:

Each morning the Zoo Crew will have a short meeting on the education patio or in the Nest to get daily announcements, updates and schedules; then Zoo Crew members should report immediately to their station/area. In the afternoon, members will regroup after all duties are complete and after properly signing out they are free to go. All teens should be picked up at the scheduled time indicated unless prior arrangements have been made with the Teen Program Supervisor. It is important that Zoo Crew members are prompt on their arrival and departure.

If You Cannot Make it to Your Assigned Shift:

We understand that from time to time there may be unforeseen circumstances, such as illness, accidents or other emergencies and you are not able to make a shift. If this happens, please call 719-424-7822 and notify the Teen Program Supervisor. Main Zoo Line: 719-424-7822. Please be sure to leave your name and what area you were signed up for.

Hours:

The Teen Program staff will record all hours the teens have worked each month. The teens are responsible for recording their day to day hours. At the end of the season we will have certificates available for all teens who wish to display their total hours worked on a signed certificate.

1. African Rift Valley 2 - Giraffe, African lions, Okapi (accepts 5 JZK's)

2. Rocky Mountain Highlands - Moose, mountain lions, wolf, lynx, porcupines, turkeys, Grizzly bears and river otters (preference goes to 2nd years, accepts 3 JZK's)

3. Loft/ZooMobile/BBY - Small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. This area focuses on education and guest engagement (accepts 16 JZK's)

4. Primate World - Gorillas, orangutans, siamangs, golden lion tamarins and naked mole rats (accepts 3 JZK's)

5. Monkey Pavilion/Bears - Smaller primates, Asiatic bears, Rocky Mountain goats (accepts 3 JZK's)

6. Goat Yard - Domestic goats. This area focuses on education and guest engagement (accepts 3 JZK's)

7. Commissary - Animal diet kitchen for all Zoo animals (accespts 3 JZK's)

8. Austalia/Scutes Family Gallery - Wallabies, budgies, alligators, tree kangaroo, reptiles, emus (accepts 3 JZK's)

9. African Rift Valley 1 - Zebra, Red River hogs, vultures, pigeons, hornbills, meerkats, crowned cranes, tortoise (preference goes to 2nd years, accepts 3 JZK's)

10. Elephant Barn - Elephants and a rhino (preference goes to 2nd years, accepts 3 JZK's)

At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, personal appearance, hygiene, and attire are important. The dress standard should remain “Zoo Crisp” or “Zoofficial” at all times, this look is defined as:

• Clean, good quality garments, pressed or wrinkle-free

• Zoo Crew shirts tucked in at all times

• Well-maintained, closed toe footwear (flip-flops are not acceptable)

• You must have natural hair colors (Not necessarily your natural color but a color that could be found on people naturally, i.e. not pink, blue, or purple)

• Pull long hair back when working in any animal area

• Must wear name tag and Zoo Crew shirt at all times while working

• Khaki, brown or hunter green pants, capris or shorts are required. Shorts must be past your fingertips when you lay your hands at your side, no exceptions. No blue jeans!

• No facial rings, hoops or metal studs are permissible; very small studs can be approved through the Teen Programs Supervisor.

• Jewelry for oral piercings must be very small, clear or flesh colored, and in compliance with the Zoo Crisp Casual standard; otherwise, they should be removed while you are at the Zoo in uniform.

Purchasing Extra Shirts:

After the orientation season and everyone has received their first shirt you can purchase as many as you'd like. If we do not have your size in stock we will order it and it usually takes about 10-14 days. You can purchase more t-shirts at any point through out the program. Each shirt is $10, unfortunately at this time we can only collect this payment in cash or check. Please make checks out to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Teens Program Fees - Summer

All fees includes one t-shirt, name tag and reusable beverage cup, as well as daily supervision, program supplies and materials, keeper talks and tours, special afternoon workshops, orientation, end of summer party and more!

Junior Zoo Keeper price per teen (ages 15-17):

$500.75 for our 3-month summer session, plus 1-month of training

Note: 75¢ from each Teen Program Registration goes to Quarters for Conservation, which expands Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s regional and global conservation efforts.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Teens Program Fees - Off Season

All fees includes one t-shirt, name tag and reusable beverage cup, as well as daily supervision, program supplies and materials, keeper talks and tours, special workshops, orientation, and more!

All Teens (Zoo Crew, Teen Core, Junior Zoo Keepers) price per teen:

$300.75 for our 3-month summer session (Fall, Winter, Spring)

Note: 75¢ from each Teen Program Registration goes to Quarters for Conservation, which expands Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s regional and global conservation efforts.