Lead Keeper - Desert Wilds

Position Summary

The Living Desert (TLD) is seeking a qualified Lead Keeper to join the Animal Care Department on the Desert Wilds Team. This frontline leadership position supports Animal Care management, keeper staff, and animal residents by providing exceptional daily care, husbandry, behavioral management, habitat maintenance, and staff development. The Lead Keeper serves as a role model for safe, professional animal care and helps advance TLD’s mission, vision, and habitat management practices.

Desert Wilds includes TLD’s Americas and Australia areas, with cougars, Mexican wolves, badgers, coatis, peccaries, mixed-species aviaries, reptiles, wallabies, echidnas, cheetahs, and patas monkeys.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality animal care, husbandry, training, habitat management, and behavioral enrichment.

• Support Animal Care leadership with projects, procedures, scheduling, supply ordering, programs, and communication.

• Serve as a liaison between management and keeper staff when needed.

• Mentor, train, and guide keepers, interns, volunteers, and new employees on husbandry, SOPs, safety, communication, organization, and positive-reinforcement training.

• Train staff on area SOPs and ensure animal and staff training protocols are followed.

• Assess animal training and behavior regularly and support keepers in achieving behavioral goals.

• Promote safe, professional, and effective animal care practices and identify opportunities to improve workplace safety.

• Demonstrate knowledge of AZA accreditation and USDA standards and identify and address potential compliance concerns.

• Provide recommendations and timely updates to SOPs and protocols and respond promptly to communications and requests.

• Work safely with potentially dangerous and venomous animals using required Two Key/Two Lock/Two Keeper and Lock Out Tag Out procedures.

• Remain calm and professional during emergencies, high-pressure situations, personnel challenges, scheduling conflicts, and deadlines.

• Make sound decisions that prioritize animal, staff, and guest safety while supporting TLD’s mission.

• Communicate proactively and professionally with management regarding accomplishments, challenges, concerns, and needs.

• Promote a positive workplace by providing constructive feedback and addressing negative communication or speculation.

• Deliver excellence in animal welfare, habitat presentation, guest service, and engagement.

• Lead at least one major project annually, as assigned by Animal Care Management.

• Perform all duties of an Animal Care Keeper and maintain consistently strong performance.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, or a related field preferred; Bachelor’s degree preferred.

• At least one year of exotic animal experience preferred.

• Animal training and public presentation experience are a plus.

• Equivalent education and experience may be considered; generally, one year of full-time exotic animal experience may substitute for one year of college.

• Minimum Lead Keeper eligibility generally requires two years as an Animal Care Keeper or equivalent experience.

• Valid California driver’s license and eligibility under TLD’s automobile insurance policy.

• COVID vaccination plus one booster required.

• Annual TB test with negative result required.

Working Conditions

Position requires standing, walking, climbing, kneeling, crawling, reaching, twisting, and lifting up to 50 lbs. Work may involve extreme heat, dust, chemicals, airborne materials, and potentially dangerous animals, including large ungulates, carnivores, and venomous species. Weekend and holiday work is required. Conference and workshop travel may be available based on funding.

This description summarizes major responsibilities and requirements and is not all-inclusive; additional job-related duties may be assigned.

Application

Apply at www.livingdesert.org/careers with a resume, three professional references, and a cover letter explaining your qualifications and interest.

Desert Conservation Through Preservation, Education, and Appreciation.