Zoo Keeper Ungulates

Reid Park Zoo, in Tucson, Arizona seeks a full-time Zoo Keeper to join our team! This is a newly created position to support the zoo’s upcoming Asia Expansion. 

With a mission centered in conservation, the Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participates in nearly 100 Species Survival Plans for threatened and endangered species. Reid Park Zoo maintains a state-of-the-art elephant program, a cutting-edge veterinary clinic that serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Arizona veterinary program, and is a leader in the songbird and monarch SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) programs to name a few recognitions. Attracting 600,000 guests annually, the Zoo is the midst of an exciting expansion project, Pathway to Asia, that will add four acres to its campus, bringing new species such as red panda, Komodo dragon and Lar gibbon, as well as a breeding facility for critically-endangered Malayan tigers when it opens in 2026.

Pay Range: $17.67 to $20.76 per hour / DOE

Benefits: This is a fully benefited position, including group medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid holiday, vacation, and sick time, retirement plan, zoo membership, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and discounts on concession and gift shop purchases.

No phone calls or visits please. This position is open until filled. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.  We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff by creating an inclusive environment. 

Overview:  Oversees care of a variety of dangerous and non-dangerous animals and habitats. This position will primarily care for ungulates, including Reticulated giraffes, white rhinos, Grevy’s zebras, Baird’s tapirs, and Speke’s gazelles, but may also care for small mammals and birds within the team.  The position will provide high-quality care for the animals in their area as well as assist with habitat and night house maintenance. Animal care includes behavioral observations, positive reinforcement training, preparing and providing enrichment, cleaning, engaging with the welfare committee, and interacting with the supervisory and veterinary teams. The Keeper will be responsible for daily record-keeping; including daily reports, medication logs, welfare tracking, enrichment records, animal training records, and area notes. The Keeper may work in a variety of animal areas and may be a swing or primary keeper of an area. Work assignments are subject to the hazards inherent in caring for wild animals in captivity assignments are subject to the hazards inherent in caring for wild animals in human care.

Reports to: Assistant Curator

Responsibilities

General

• Demonstrates and models the core values of the Reid Park Zoological Society (RPZS or the Zoo)
• Perform duties in accordance with RPZS policies and procedures
• Provide excellent customer service as a component of all job duties
• Foster and maintain positive, collaborative relationships at all levels
• Follows Zoo safety protocols and procedures

Animal Care

• Daily cleaning associated with animal night house, habitat, and visitor viewing area.
• Variable shift work is possible with a couple of night shifts each month.
• Husbandry care for the animals on the area (feeding, medicating, training, enriching and care specific to the species).
• Completes reports including but not limited to daily animal reports, enrichment logs, water quality logs, training logs, medication logs, animal incident reports, etc.
• Develops & implements enrichment activities for animals following AZA guidelines and per department practices and protocols.
• Trains utilizing positive reinforcement to aid in animal management & promote visitor education.
• Monitors animal welfare and report concerns to supervisor.
• Follows all animal care protocols and policies.
• Assist in the training of new staff and mentoring volunteers.
• Completes all trainings as required.
• Be able to perform those tasks that are essential to the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Communication

• Participates in formal presentations e.g. Keeper talks, special events, behind-the-scenes tours etc.
• Answers visitor questions concerning animals, conservation, zoo operations, etc.
• Participates in AZA groups including SSP and TAGs

Health & Safety

• Assists in the capture and/ or physical/ chemical restraint & transportation of animals.
• Participates in emergency drills.
• Willing to maintain proficiency with darting equipment & firearms if selected for safety team.  Willingness to serve on safety team.
• Responds to animal emergencies following approved protocols.
• Stays current on required vaccinations.

Administrative Functions

• Complete all animal records in variety of software programs including Animal Care Software, ZIMS, etc.

Minimum Required Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in biological science, animal or zoology related, plus one year of paid experience at an AZA-accredited facility OR Associate’s degree with three years’ paid animal care experience at an AZA-accredited facility; OR acceptable combination of education and experience (approval required from Animal Care Director)
• Valid, unrestricted Driver’s license
• Complete pre-employment criminal background check drug test (non-THC) successfully
• Participate in random trusting as required
• Pre-employment TB test (and annual renewals) or evidence of a negative TB test result in the immediate past 12 months
• Proof of COVID-19 Booster from 2025 or newer
• Proof of MMR Vaccine or willingness to obtain it
• Completes all training as required
• Variable shift work is possible
• Participates in emergency drills
• Regular physical attendance at work
• Demonstrated critical analysis, customer service, problem-solving, conflict resolution, decision-making, leadership, team building, time management, and motivational skills
• Demonstrated ability to tactfully handle stressful situations, negotiate and resolve conflicts, maintain confidentiality, and respect and observe organizational protocol
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of RPZS and coworkers, as well as diverse volunteers, guests, donors, community partners, vendors, and others
• Able to work a flexible work schedule and adjust as required
• Weekend, special events, and some holiday work are required

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• 3-5 years paid zookeeper experience
• 1 year paid dangerous animal experience
• Work experience within an AZA accredited facility strongly preferred
• Bilingual (any language and/or ASL)

Working and Physical Conditions

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Regular physical attendance at work
• Bend, stoop, kneel, reach
• Stand for long periods
• Repetitious motion with hands
• Ability to use hands to control power and hand tools
• Must be able to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
• Work assignments are subject to the hazards inherent in caring for exotic & dangerous animals in a zoological institution

Please note that this document is not an exhaustive list.  It is intended to give a reasonable idea of what might be required.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Department