Head Keeper of Gorillas & Carnivores

Head Keeper – Gorillas & Carnivores

Gladys Porter Zoo is seeking an experienced and motivated animal care professional to join our team as Head Keeper of Gorillas & Carnivores. This is a hands-on working leadership position. The Head Keeper will remain actively involved in the daily care, training, enrichment, and management of the animals while helping lead, support, and develop the keeper team. We are looking for someone who leads by example, communicates effectively, enjoys working alongside their team, and takes pride in helping both animals and people thrive.

Working closely with the Associate Curator of Gorillas & Carnivores, the Head Keeper will help coordinate daily departmental operations, keeper assignments, animal care priorities, and team communication while maintaining high standards of animal welfare, behavioral husbandry, enrichment, safety, teamwork, and accountability. The ideal candidate will have significant professional experience with great apes and/or large carnivores, a strong foundation in animal training, enrichment, and welfare-based husbandry, and a dependable, approachable leadership style. Experience with gorillas is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities: Lead by example while participating in daily animal care and management; coordinate keeper assignments, care priorities, and departmental communication; maintain high standards of animal welfare, behavioral husbandry, enrichment, and safety; participate in animal training programs and develop keeper skills; provide coaching, guidance, and constructive feedback; support professional growth and accountability; work with the Associate Curator to implement departmental goals and improve animal care practices; collaborate with behavioral husbandry, welfare, veterinary, and animal care teams; participate in SSP-related management and maintain familiarity with AZA standards, recommendations, and protocols; maintain accurate animal records and documentation; participate in emergency response procedures and drills; assist with education, special events, media opportunities, and guest interactions; provide supervisory coverage for other animal care areas as needed; respond to animal care or operational issues outside regular hours when necessary; and perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: A minimum of three years of professional animal care experience in a zoological setting, including substantial experience working with great apes and/or large carnivores, is required. Candidates should have significant experience in behavioral husbandry, animal training, and enrichment; working knowledge of AZA accreditation standards and USDA regulations; demonstrated peer-leadership ability; strong communication and organizational skills; and the ability to provide direction and constructive feedback while maintaining positive working relationships.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with gorillas and large carnivores; participation in formal animal welfare and behavioral husbandry programs; experience mentoring and developing animal care staff; proficiency with ZIMS or similar animal records software; and experience with zoological emergency response operations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Candidates should demonstrate strong knowledge of animal behavior, welfare, husbandry, enrichment, and training; sound judgment; strong observational and problem-solving skills; and the ability to balance hands-on animal care with team leadership. Excellent professional communication, composure during challenging or emergency situations, teamwork, continuous learning, professional development, zoonotic disease prevention, and animal care safety are essential.

Working Conditions: This position requires a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and extended hours based on animal care or operational needs. Candidates must be able to work outdoors in the South Texas climate and perform physically demanding animal care duties, including prolonged walking and standing, climbing, bending, and lifting. The Head Keeper must also be willing and able to respond to animal emergencies or significant departmental needs outside regular working hours.

About Gladys Porter Zoo: Gladys Porter Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoological institution in Brownsville, Texas, serving diverse animal populations while supporting animal welfare, conservation, education, research, and cooperative animal management programs. We value collaboration, professional growth, thoughtful behavioral husbandry, strong communication, and continuous improvement. The Rio Grande Valley also offers exceptional wildlife and birding, a warm subtropical climate, a rich cultural community, and easy access to South Padre Island and the Gulf of Mexico.

Compensation & Benefits: 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 in a collaborative animal care environment.