Head Keeper of Primates
Location
Brownsville, Texas, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
3-7 years
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Posted
2h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
Gladys Porter Zoo is seeking an experienced, motivated Head Keeper of Primates to lead and support the animal care team. This working leadership role involves active participation in the daily care, training, enrichment, and management of a diverse primate population, while also coordinating departmental operations and ensuring high standards of animal welfare and safety.
Head Keeper – Primates
The Head Keeper will provide daily leadership and hands-on care for the primate population while supporting high standards of animal welfare, behavioral husbandry, enrichment, training, safety, and departmental operations. This role will help coordinate daily keeper assignments, animal care priorities, team communication, and operational needs while serving as a positive example and mentor to animal care staff.
The Head Keeper will actively participate in animal training and behavioral husbandry programs, coach keepers in training techniques, and provide constructive feedback to support professional growth and accountability. The position will assist with the thoughtful management of primate social groups through careful behavioral observation, communication, and collaboration with animal care leadership. The Head Keeper will work closely with the Associate Curator, Curators of Behavioral Husbandry and Welfare, veterinary staff, and other animal care teams to implement departmental goals, address challenges, and continually improve animal care, welfare, and health practices.
Responsibilities include maintaining accurate and timely animal records and departmental documentation; supporting enrichment and welfare programs; participating in SSP-related management; maintaining familiarity with applicable AZA standards, recommendations, and USDA regulations; and participating in emergency response procedures and drills. The Head Keeper may also assist with educational programs, special events, media opportunities, guest interactions, and supervisory coverage for other animal care areas as needed. The position may require responding to animal care or operational issues outside regular working hours and performing other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications: A minimum of three years of professional animal care experience in a zoological setting, including substantial experience with a variety of primate species, is required. Candidates should have significant experience in behavioral husbandry, animal training, enrichment, and managing the behavioral and social needs of primates. Working knowledge of AZA accreditation standards and USDA regulations, along with demonstrated peer-leadership ability, strong communication and organizational skills, and the ability to provide direction and constructive feedback while maintaining positive working relationships, is required.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience with great apes, particularly chimpanzees and/or orangutans; primate introductions, social management, and complex group dynamics; formal animal welfare and behavioral husbandry programs; mentoring and developing animal care staff; ZIMS or similar animal records software; and zoological emergency response operations is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Successful candidates will demonstrate strong knowledge of primate behavior, welfare, husbandry, enrichment, and training; excellent observational, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills; sound judgment; and the ability to balance hands-on animal care with team leadership responsibilities. Candidates must remain calm and effective during challenging or emergency situations and demonstrate a strong commitment to teamwork, continuous learning, professional development, zoonotic disease prevention, and animal care safety.
Working Conditions & Benefits: This position requires a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and extended hours when operational or animal care needs require. The Head Keeper must be able to work outdoors in the South Texas climate and perform the physical duties of professional animal care, including prolonged walking and standing, climbing, bending, lifting, and other physically demanding activities. The position also requires the ability and willingness to respond to animal emergencies or significant departmental needs outside regularly scheduled hours. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include 100% employer-paid employee health, vision, dental, and basic life insurance; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; a 401(k) plan; and opportunities for continued professional growth within a collaborative animal care environment.
Updated 2h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
3-7 years
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
Benefits and perks
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Gladys Porter Zoo
Team size
Growing team
Location
Brownsville, Texas, United States
Gladys Porter Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoological institution located in Brownsville, Texas, at the southernmost tip of the state. Our animal care professionals work with diverse animal populations while contributing to animal welfare, conservation, education, research, and AZA cooperative animal management programs.
Popular Domains
Explore opportunities across specialized functional areas.
Trending Industries
Discover roles in the world's most innovative sectors.
Head Keeper of Primates
Brownsville, Texas, United States • Full Time