The Role
Provides daily care and husbandry for the Dallas Zoo’s Houston Toad colony, including feeding, cleaning, health monitoring, enrichment, reproductive management, records, exhibit maintenance, conservation support, and educational presentations. The role requires collaboration with veterinary and zoo staff, participation in animal handling and research activities, emergency response, and adherence to animal welfare and safety standards. This grant-funded position runs from 2026 through 2031.
Summary Generated by Built In
JOB SUMMARY
This is an entry-level full-time position in Animal Operations, following established protocols to provide outstanding animal care for the Dallas Zoo's Houston Toad colony, including 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.
This position will be primarily focused on the daily care and management of the Dallas Zoo’s Houston Toad colony and associated facilities in support of the USFW Houston Toad Recovery Program goals. Responsibilities will include supporting the propagation, rearing, and management of Houston Toads for conservation and recovery efforts, as well as maintaining the facilities, records, and husbandry standards necessary to support the program.
This is a grant-funded position for 2026 through 2031.
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;
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 one year preferred of
exotic animal care experience at an AZA-accredited facility (ideally with Houston Toads 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
- Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related science field
- Knowledge of animal care and basic husbandry skills
- At least one year of exotic animal care experience at an AZA-accredited facility
- Basic knowledge of research techniques and practices
- Ability or willingness to learn safe capture and restraint methods for various taxa
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Ability to respond appropriately in emergency situations
- Ability to walk, stand, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach, climb, and carry up to 50 pounds
- Availability to work holidays, weekends, and irregular hours
- Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance
- 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
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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.
