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Regional hiringpublishedExternal employer
COCity of Albuquerque
City of AlbuquerqueZoos and Aquariums

Zookeeper I-III

Ambassador Animal Team

Location

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full Time

Experience

2-4 years

Compensation

$39.8K - $47.5K per year

Posted

5h ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

The Zookeeper I-III will maintain and care for a variety of animals within the ABQ BioPark, assisting curatorial and veterinary staff as needed. This role involves engaging the public during programming, collaborating with education teams, and participating in conservation education and special events.

The Ambassador Animal Team at the ABQ BioPark is one of the most unique animal teams at the park! The successful Ambassador Animal Team candidate will be passionate about conservation and engaging the public during programming while also working with a variety of animals including: birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. As part of the Ambassador Animal Team, the preferred candidate will also collaborate with the Education Team and other animal teams from around the park on animal encounters, conservation education, and animal themed programming for special events.

Maintain and care for a variety of animals within the BioPark; assist curatorial and veterinary staff as needed and perform a variety of activities relative to the assigned area of responsibility.

These positions are part of the BioPark Training and Certification program.

This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

Education directly related to the minimum requirements below may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

ZOOKEEPER I ($19.13 - $20.09/hr)

  • High school diploma or GED; and

  • Two (2) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

    • exotic animal husbandry

    • zookeeping

    • arthropod rearing

  • Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.

Additional Requirements:

  • Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.

  • Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.

ZOOKEEPER II ($20.19-$21.20/hr)

  • High school diploma or GED; and

  • Three (3) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

    • exotic animal husbandry

    • zookeeping

    • arthropod rearing

  • Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.

Additional Requirements:

  • Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.

  • Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.

  • Must have completed Level 1 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or have 15 college level credit hours of college level work in biology, zoology, or animal science.

ZOOKEEPER III ($21.83-$22.86/hr)

  • High school diploma or GED, supplemented by thirty (30) credit hours of college level course work in zoology, biology, or animal science; and

  • Four (4) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

    • exotic animal husbandry

    • zookeeping

    • arthropod rearing

  • Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.

Additional Requirements:

  • Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.

  • Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.

  • Must have completed Level 2 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or 15 credit hours of college level course work in zoology, biology, or animal science.

  • Scuba certified or the ability to obtain a scuba certification within 1 year of hire for pertinent departments.

Working Conditions

Environmental:

  • Zoo environment; exposure, a variety of domestic and exotic animals, noise, animal body fluids, and inclement weather conditions; may work in or around water.

Physical:

  • Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing, walking, reaching, bending, squatting, kneeling, and climbing for prolonged periods of time; heavy, moderate or light lifting, pulling or pushing.

Updated 5h ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Exotic Animal Husbandry • 1+ yrs
Zookeeping • 1+ yrs
Arthropod Rearing • 1+ yrs
Conservation Education • 1+ yrs
Public Engagement • 1+ yrs
Team Collaboration • 1+ yrs
Animal Care • 1+ yrs
Veterinary Assistance • 1+ yrs

Experience

2-4 years

Certifications

New Mexico Driver's License • Required
City Operator’s Permit (COP) • Required
BioPark Training and Certification Program Level 1 • Required
BioPark Training and Certification Program Level 2 • Required
Scuba Certification • Required

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

$39.8K - $47.5K per year

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodYearly

Benefits and perks

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid Parental Leave

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationAlbuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleHigh8/10
physicalHigh9/10
cognitiveMedium7/10
executionHigh8/10
creativityMedium6/10
uncertaintyMedium7/10
communicationHigh8/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

City of Albuquerque

Team size

Growing team

Location

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

The City of Albuquerque offers a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support employees' health, financial security, and career growth. Benefits include medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with pre-tax savings plans for healthcare, childcare, and parking. Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), with the City contributing up to 75% of the employee's required contribution. Additional benefits include an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), onsite and mobile medical clinics, tuition assistance, professional development opportunities, and resources that promote physical, mental, and financial well-being while supporting a healthy work-life balance.

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Zookeeper I-III

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United StatesFull Time