Katherine (Liz) Jones
Denver,CO
Summary
- Highly driven animal care professional with 9 years of full time AZA experience working with African Penguins, Humboldt Penguins, as well as a wide variety of taxa, seeking to take on new challenges.
- Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills.
- In depth experience with hand rearing both bird and mammal species, most intensively Humboldt and African Penguins.
- Experienced in the creation and implementation of hatch and hand rearing plans for African and Humboldt Penguins to build flocks for both SSP and ambassador purposes.
- Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
- Offers in-depth knowledge of basic medical issues and conditions of all animals, as well as husbandry skills necessary to maintain a healthy and thriving collection.
- Excellent time management skills. Solid background caring for nearly every taxon.
- Devoted to maintaining the health and well-being of all animals. Meets diverse needs by closely observing animals and coordinating with Keeper and Veterinary Staff.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Zookeeper (Birds-Penguin Relief)
Denver Zoo
12.2021 - Current
- Primary relief in the African and Humboldt Penguin sections, working 4 of 5 days with these two species along with a variety of large birds of prey also included within the penguin section
- Responsible for the daily husbandry of all birds within each bird section, including Penguins, Waterfowl, Flamingos, Lorikeets, Birds of Prey, Hornbills, and the Avian Propagation Center
- Aids in vet procedures; re-banding, wing/beak/nail trims, physicals, etc
- Daily public feeding and training demonstrations as well as keeper talks
- Performing animal care duties such as enrichment, training, medication administration, daily feeding, cleaning, and managing proper handling and care for each species
- Monitors the safety of every animal to prevent injuries from other animals or environmental hazards
- Follows consistent safety procedures, maintains visible animal identification to prevent care errors
- Cleans and sanitizes equipment and surfaces to protect animal and staff health
- Chick-rearing of a variety of different bird species.
Zookeeper (Swing Relief)
Denver Zoo
11.2019 - 12.2021
- Worked regular overnight shifts before being moved to a hybrid shift in order to provide needed support to day keepers
- Provided husbandry and enrichment for all animals across the zoo, following special diets and regular medication administration schedules
- Presented informal educational programs to inspire and inform zoo visitors
- Maintained a high level of flexibility to better support co-keepers by training and working in sections that were in crisis while also fulfilling swing shift duties
- Provided evening feeding, medication, and enrichment to several species across the zoo including penguins, elephants, rhinos, various hoofstock, primate species, carnivores, etc
- Keeper chats as well as animal activations during night events
- Elicited species-specific behaviors by creating and implementing behavioral enrichment activities and training
- Assisted with medical procedures by overseeing medication administration and providing specialized follow-up care.
Zookeeper, Section Lead
Pueblo Zoo
01.2018 - 11.2019
- In charge of section involving large carnivores, small primates, lesser apes, reptiles, hoofstock, birds, and invertebrates
- Assisted the curator in the advancement and standardization of animal care within the section
- Hand-rearing/assist-rearing experience with a variety of different mammal species
- Cleaned and restocked housing and habitats
- Cared for animals with regular feeding/watering, enrichment, training, and species-specific social engagement opportunities
- Assisted with medical procedures by overseeing medication administration and provided specialized follow-up care
- Maintained clean and orderly habitats
- Followed precise feeding instructions and schedules for animals under care
- Elicited species-specific behaviors by creating and implementing behavioral enrichment programs for each species
- Created training plans for several species in order to help further husbandry needs in a less stressful and more productive way for all animals.
Zookeeper (Relief)
Pueblo Zoo
11.2015 - 01.2018
- Pueblo Zoo Relief Keepers, responsible for the health and welfare of all collection animals, training throughout all areas of the zoo to provide support in sections that require additional aid
- Promoted optimal animal health by feeding and watering on regular schedule and providing stimulating enrichment and training programs
- Hand-rearing/assist-rearing of different mammal and bird species (primarily African Penguins)
- Assisted with medical care as needed by overseeing medication administration and providing specialized follow-up care
- Prepared food to meet needs of animals under care with species appropriate diets
- Assessed animals for injury and illness daily and documented regularly
- Cleaned and restocked housing and habitats.
All Source Intelligence Analyst NCO
Active Duty US Army
06.2007 - 06.2012
- Conducted and supported analysis of information operations (IO) intelligence related to political, economic, social, cultural, physical, geographic, technical, or military issues in specific foreign countries
- Supported operational planning and execution of intelligence operations (IO) and military information support operations (MISO)
- Provided real-time incident reporting to internal members on threats to key sectors
- Gathered details about enemy forces, terrorist movements
- Strengths, tendencies, and activities
- Contributed to and supported strategic and operational planning teams developing information operations (IO) and military information support operations (MISO) organizational, personnel, equipment, and fiscal resourcing concepts
- Gathered and disseminated raw intelligence for real-time analysis and decision-making
- Identified potential and existing threats and vulnerabilities
- Collected, reviewed, and processed intelligence information for senior personnel
- Developed and distributed intelligence products focused on field operations.
Education
Master of Science - Environmental Policy & Management
American Public University
Charles Town, WV2024
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science, Fish And Wildlife Management
American Public University
Charles Town, WV2022
Associate of Applied Science - Zoo Keeping Technology
Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO2015
Skills
- Animal Care (Physical, Medical, Specialized)
- Animal Observation
- Creation and Implementation of Animal Training Plans
- Disease Prevention
- Animal Care and Enrichment
- Illness and Injury Detection
- Human and Animal Safety
- SOP Compliance
- Information Collection and Recording
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem Identification
- Treatment Planning and Documentation
- Medication Documentation
- Habitat Education
- Hand-rearing/Assist-rearing
Personal Information
Title: Animal Care Specialist
Additional Qualifying Experience
Internships
Pueblo Zoo; Pueblo, CO: April-October 2015
• Two internships at the Pueblo Zoo, assisting Keepers in the daily care of many species. This included cleaning, feeding, and enrichment. As an intern, gained not only experience, but the trust of the Keepers and the Curator, leading to employment at the Pueblo Zoo as a full time Zookeeper two weeks before the last internship was set to end.
Equestrian Center; Larkspur, CO: May-August 2014
• Tended to the daily cleaning, feeding, grooming, and training of all horses. Assisted in adoptions of rehabilitated horses.
Conservation
Wildlife Act: Zululand, South Africa (iMfolozi Preserve): February 2019
• Assisted with observing, tracking, and collaring endangered species. These animals included African Painted Dogs, Cheetah, Leopard, Black Rhino, and Lions. Responsible for updating identification kits and tracking observation data for target species.
Other
• Canid and Hyenid TAG Husbandry Course, ST. Louis Zoo: May 2018
• A part of the Animal Response Team at both Pueblo and Denver Zoos.
Timeline
Zookeeper (Birds-Penguin Relief)
Denver Zoo
12.2021 - Current
Zookeeper (Swing Relief)
Denver Zoo
11.2019 - 12.2021
Zookeeper, Section Lead
Pueblo Zoo
01.2018 - 11.2019
Zookeeper (Relief)
Pueblo Zoo
11.2015 - 01.2018
All Source Intelligence Analyst NCO
Active Duty US Army
06.2007 - 06.2012
Master of Science - Environmental Policy & Management
American Public University
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science, Fish And Wildlife Management
American Public University
Associate of Applied Science - Zoo Keeping Technology
Pikes Peak Community College
Similar Profiles
Merit WilleyMerit Willey
Painter, Maintenance at Denver ZooPainter, Maintenance at Denver Zoo
Kara DoerstlingKara Doerstling
Conservation Learning Instructor at Denver ZooConservation Learning Instructor at Denver Zoo
Josie KucharczykJosie Kucharczyk
Guest Service Representative at Denver ZooGuest Service Representative at Denver Zoo