Elephant Keeper
I, II or III
Location
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
0-5 years
Compensation
$18 - $26 per hour
Posted
7h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
Zoo Atlanta's Elephant Keeper is responsible for the welfare and husbandry of African elephants and meerkats, including training, enrichment, and habitat maintenance. This role involves monitoring animal health, implementing safety protocols, and contributing to research and education efforts within the Mammal Department.
Elephant Keeper I–III
Zoo Atlanta’s Elephant Team, part of the Mammal Department, provides care for African elephants and meerkats within the state-of-the-art African Savanna complex. Animal Keepers are responsible for exceptional animal welfare and husbandry, including training, enrichment, health monitoring, habitat maintenance, and guest engagement. Keepers report to area managers and may serve as a point person when managers are unavailable.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Support Zoo Atlanta’s mission, strategic plan, values, and collaborative culture.
Provide consistently high-quality animal care, welfare, husbandry, training, and enrichment.
Participate in collection-wide training, research, education, and animal welfare initiatives.
Complete behavioral management training and apply operant conditioning and enrichment techniques.
Participate in animal welfare assessments and follow through on identified action items.
Monitor animal health and behavior and promptly communicate changes to supervisors and veterinary staff; administer medications when applicable.
Follow area policies, procedures, safety protocols, and animal management standards.
Maintain safe working conditions for staff, guests, and animals.
Build positive professional relationships and communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers.
Conduct guest interactions and scheduled educational talks.
Support department operations, motivate others, and contribute to special projects and area goals.
Complete daily reports, logs, animal records, and other documentation.
Coordinate and supervise interns and volunteers and assist coworkers in developing job knowledge.
Work independently, meet deadlines, solve problems, and respond effectively to challenges.
Promote communication and information sharing across the zoological community.
Support sustainability efforts and help reduce the zoo’s environmental footprint.
Work flexible schedules, including weekends and holidays.
Qualifications
Prior elephant and/or related exotic animal care experience required.
Experience with operant conditioning and enrichment strongly preferred.
Strong focus, organization, time management, critical thinking, problem-solving, and ability to manage stress.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and retain important details.
Computer proficiency required.
Ability to use light power tools after appropriate training.
Keeper Levels
Keeper I
Prior elephant or related exotic animal care experience required.
Paid experience at an AZA-accredited facility preferred.
Keeper II
Prior elephant or related exotic animal care experience required.
Minimum 3 years of related paid animal care experience.
Paid experience at an AZA-accredited facility preferred.
Keeper III
Prior elephant or related exotic animal care experience required.
Minimum 5 years of related paid animal care experience.
Paid experience at an AZA-accredited facility strongly preferred.
Education
A four-year degree in biology, psychology, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Driving & Physical Requirements
Must obtain and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license with a safe driving record.
Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions and routinely perform strenuous physical work.
After appropriate training, keepers working with or around dangerous animals must be able to carry and use OC spray.
Updated 7h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
0-5 years
Certifications
How this role is positioned
Role classification
Job domains
Industries
Employment
Full Time
Contract duration
Permanent
Hiring type
Direct
Global hiring
Location specific
Offer details
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
$18 - $26 per hour
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Zoo Atlanta
Team size
Growing team
Location
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Zoo Atlanta’s Elephant Team, part of the Mammal Department, currently cares for 2.2 African elephants and meerkats. In 2019, Zoo Atlanta opened the new African Savanna, which includes a state-of-the-art elephant facility and an expanding elephant program.
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Elephant Keeper
Atlanta, Georgia, United States • Full Time