The Role
Provides daily care, feeding, enrichment, training, exhibit maintenance, health monitoring, and welfare support for primates and other taxa. Maintains animal records, assists with transfers and procedures, participates in research, educates zoo guests, and supports conservation initiatives. The role also involves supervising and mentoring staff, interns, and volunteers; responding to emergencies; performing capture and restraint; and collaborating with veterinary and zoo teams.
Summary Generated by Built In
JOB SUMMARY
This is a senior-level position in animal care, following established protocols to provide outstanding
animal care for species in the section: food preparation, feeding, exhibit maintenance, pest control, and reproductive management. Zoologists participate in operant conditioning and husbandry programs, provide approved environmental enrichment, work collaboratively to improve animal exhibits, and prepare and conduct educational presentations and tours for zoo guests. Senior Zoologists may act as team leaders on specific projects, as assigned, and provide crucial guidance and training to less senior staff.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide overall daily care of assigned animals and exhibits to ensure animal health, safety, and
welfare, staff and public safety as set forth by AZA, USDA, and DZM to include:
• Observe and monitor animals’ general health and behavior, reporting any abnormal behavior to
manager and/or veterinary staff;
• Prepare and provide food for assigned animals, following written instructions, provide water and
administer medication as instructed to ensure proper nutrition and health;
• Clean animal exhibits, holding pens, food prep areas, and equipment, maintaining a high level of
sanitation, conducting pest control activities and reporting any mechanical defects that would
endanger the animal, zoo staff, and/or guests;
• Achieve the highest standards of animal welfare and wellness by providing environmental
enrichment and training sessions, using operant conditioning, as applicable;
• Participate in or assist with the capture and restraint of a variety of taxa including dangerous
species
• Prepare and update animal records, reports and surveys, assisting in research projects as necessary
to ensure thorough documentation and enhanced knowledge of animal biology;
• Perform general maintenance and repair of exhibits: painting, repairing fences and shelters, abating
erosion, planting ground cover and removing weeds;
• Provide assistance with animal transfers and/or procedures as directed;
• Interact positively and professionally with animal care and veterinary staff and volunteers;
• Actively encourage interest in wildlife through positive interaction with zoo guests via educational
presentations focused on animals, biology, conservation, and environmental issues;
• Utilize the enrichment item/device proposal form to create new enrichment ideas and items to be
added to taxa repertoires and properly record the results of enrichment items after each use;
• Collaborate with other zoo personnel as needed to meet the zoo’s mission. This can include, but is
not limited to, assisting and participating in media events, special tours, and public relations projects;
• Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees, and work groups;
• Understand and support Dallas Zoo’s Strategic and Master Plans and departmental collection plans;
• Study specific reference materials pertinent to animal care, behavior and natural history as assigned;
• Follow all safety protocols and understand the animal keeper's role in emergency procedures,
responding to emergencies as required;
• Be able to supervise and train volunteers and interns within department as needed; eligible to act as
an assigned mentor to interns and volunteers responsible for counseling, coaching, and ensuring
follow up on assigned intern/volunteer goals
• Assist with the beautification of our park by removing trash and debris whenever you see it;
• Assist with and raise awareness for AZA SAFE programs;
• Eligible to serve in Chair positions on Dallas Zoo Management internal committees
• Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
•;A bachelor’s degree in biology or a related science field is preferred;
• Must have knowledge of animal care and basic husbandry skills, and at least three years of exotic animal care experience (ideally at an AZA-accredited facility with Great Apes, and/or comparable taxa);
• Must be a flexible, efficient, self-motivated team player, and solution-oriented: finding creative
solutions to complex challenges;
• Must have basic knowledge of research techniques and practices, with solid observation skills;
• Must be capable of practicing, or willing to learn, safe methods of capture and restraint for a variety
of taxa (which may include potentially dangerous species);
• Must be able to establish and maintain an effective rapport with all levels of management, employees, interns, volunteers, and zoo guests;
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, following instructions and
documenting animal care activities appropriately;
• Ability to represent the Zoo in a professional manner at all times;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with management, other employees & zoo guests;
• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull bend, climb stairs
and ladders and carry up to 50 lbs;
• Must be able to work holidays and weekends, both regular and irregular hours as required;
• Regular, reliable and punctual attendance is an essential function of this position;
• Must be able to actively work outdoors in hot or inclement weather;
• Successful candidates must complete pre-employment drug screening, background check and TB
test;
• Must have a valid driver’s license to operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this job and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties to be assigned.
Skills Required
- At least three years of exotic animal care experience, ideally with Great Apes or comparable taxa at an AZA-accredited facility
- Knowledge of animal care and basic husbandry skills
- Bachelor's degree in biology or a related science field
- Basic knowledge of research techniques and practices
- Ability or willingness to learn safe capture and restraint methods for various taxa, including potentially dangerous species
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Ability to establish effective relationships with management, employees, interns, volunteers, and zoo guests
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and respond appropriately in emergencies
- Ability to perform physical tasks including standing, climbing, reaching, crawling, and carrying up to 50 pounds
- Availability to work holidays, weekends, and irregular hours
- Ability to work outdoors in hot or inclement weather
- Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening, background check, and TB test
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
- Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance
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The Company
What We Do
Dallas Zoo is a nonprofit zoological organization and the largest zoo in Texas, caring for more than 2,000 animals representing 406 species. Founded in 1888 as the first zoo in the Southwest, it is owned by the City of Dallas but privately managed. Its work centers on animal care, conservation, education, and engaging visitor experiences, supported by employees and volunteers.
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