Zookeeper – River’s Edge & Nocturnal Swing Keeper
Location
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
1-6 years
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Posted
1h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
This Zookeeper position involves routine animal care duties, habitat maintenance, and enhancing animal welfare for a diverse range of Central and South American species. Responsibilities include daily cleaning, diet preparation, behavioral enrichment, and providing excellent guest experiences. The role requires working across sections, focusing on River’s Edge and Nocturnal House exhibits, and may involve cross-training in other areas.
Reports to the Section Assistant Curator under the general supervision of the Curator of the Louisiana Swamp Exhibit and Jaguar Jungle. Zookeepers perform routine animal care with minimal supervision, including habitat cleaning and maintenance, animal training, behavioral enrichment, welfare management, and guest engagement.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
Evaluate animal health, diet, behavior, and emergency situations using sound judgment.
Clean and maintain animal habitats, grounds, and off-exhibit areas.
Identify and correct routine maintenance issues and report larger needs.
Implement behavioral training, enrichment, and welfare programs.
Monitor and document animal health and behavior; communicate abnormalities to supervisors and teammates.
Prepare and follow prescribed diets and feeding procedures.
Participate in shows, chats, feeds, behind-the-scenes tours, VIP/donor experiences, and paid animal encounters.
Assist with training new staff and, when needed, selecting, training, supervising, and evaluating volunteers.
Assist with new facility development and improvements to existing facilities.
Prepare technical reports on animal management and exhibition.
Participate in animal capture, restraint, and movement and share effective techniques.
Assist veterinary and curatorial staff with animal treatments.
Follow Audubon policies and procedures and support daily operations across assigned sections.
Lead coworkers, interns, and volunteers on group projects as needed.
Take personal responsibility for maintaining a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent.
Strong knowledge of exotic animal management, handling, restraint, and exhibition techniques.
Experience with animal training and behavioral enrichment across diverse mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Knowledge of zoonotic diseases and prevention.
Excellent safety record.
Strong teamwork, communication, time management, accountability, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Ability to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and special/24-hour emergency needs.
Willingness to perform pest control and serve on the Zoo’s hurricane Storm Rider Team.
Ability to operate power tools, lawn equipment, and learn medium/heavy equipment such as riding mowers and skid-steer loaders.
Comfortable working around large bodies of water and operating non-motorized boats.
Valid Louisiana driver’s license.
Current TB test and tetanus vaccination.
COVID-19 vaccination series required when working with COVID-susceptible species.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience at an AZA-accredited zoological facility.
College degree or coursework in zoology, biology, animal science, or related field; substantial experience may substitute.
First Aid/CPR certification.
Experience with or willingness to work around venomous snakes.
Experience with or willingness to learn life-support systems and water-quality management.
Experience with ZIMS, TRACKs, or similar animal-records software.
Current rabies vaccination as required by the department; Audubon will cover vaccination if hired.
Physical & Work Environment
Ability to work outdoors in extreme heat, humidity, heavy rain, and other challenging conditions.
Ability to sit, stand, bend, and stoop as required.
Safely lift up to 100 lbs., with frequent lifting/carrying of up to 50 lbs.
Periodic exposure to predictable hazards associated with wild animals and zoonotic diseases.
Exposure to heavy machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, and other workplace hazards.
Ability to work in a nocturnal setting.
Updated 1h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
1-6 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
Compensation not disclosed
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Audubon Nature Institute
Team size
Growing team
Location
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Audubon Nature Institute comprises Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and Audubon Wilderness Park. At Audubon Nature Institute, we are more than a collection of parks, museums, and conservation centers—we are a dedicated team with a shared mission to celebrate, protect, and connect people to the wonders of nature.
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Zookeeper – River’s Edge & Nocturnal Swing Keeper
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States • Full Time