Help wanted: Forestry Farm continues search for zookeeper

While scrolling through job offerings at the City of Saskatoon, one position is catching the eye of animal lovers.

Zookeeper.

The Forestry Farm Park and Zoo is looking for an entry-level animal care specialist to help them deal with the variety of creatures they keep.

“It’s a very exciting career, a very rewarding one,” Zoo Manager Tim Sinclair-Smith said.

So what’s involved? Hanging out with the two new mobs of meerkats?

“I think if we had a position open up that was specifically focused on the meerkats, I think we’d have a flood — or mob — of people coming in to try and work with them,” he said.

While a junior zookeeper may get to spend some time with the meerkats, they also have to learn how to tend to some of the bigger animals — including elk, cougars and grizzly bears.

And it’s not the sexiest job at times.

“You know mate, there’s a lot of poop,” Sinclair-Smith said.

“Sometimes the smells, and the animals will lick and jump on you. If you could tolerate all those different things happening, I think you’ll survive.”

As fun as it sounds, not just anyone can apply and get the job.

Sinclair-Smith is looking for someone with experience and the right training. Specifically, the job ad calls for graduates of either zoology, animal science, agriculture or animal health technology.

“Some animals are big, some animals are dangerous,” he said.

“We’re assessing whether the person has the right talent, experience and expertise to be able to complete those jobs.”

If someone meets those qualifications, Sinclair-Smith said they’re likely to have a blast at the zoo.

He would know, since the 47-year-old has been working with animals since he was seven.

“Some people say if I shave my beard off I look so young,” he said.”A lot of it I think is because working with animals keeps you young.”