Keeper
Hoofstock
Location
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
0-5 years
Compensation
$23 - $27 per hour
Posted
17h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
This role involves providing daily care, ensuring the safety and well-being of assigned hoofstock animals through documented husbandry practices. Responsibilities include monitoring health, feeding, behavioral enrichment, and engaging with guests to support the zoo's mission.
We are actively recruiting a Hoofstock Keeper, with level placement determined by experience. Applicants need to apply only once and will be considered for the appropriate level.
Keeper I: Responsible for the safety, health, and well-being of assigned animals through documented husbandry practices. Duties include feeding prescribed diets, monitoring animal health, behavior, and diet consumption, reporting abnormalities, performing enrichment and basic animal training, assisting with animal introductions, breeding, restraint, transport, treatment, and medication, and responding to emergencies according to approved protocols. The Keeper will assist with exhibit maintenance, document structural or mechanical issues, support public experiences and special events, and work collaboratively with Zoo departments. A Bachelor’s degree in Life Science or equivalent experience is preferred; high school diploma required. Minimum six months paid or one year volunteer experience relevant to exotic animal husbandry is required. Behavioral enrichment experience preferred.
Keeper II: Performs all Keeper I responsibilities while taking on additional responsibilities related to animal training, public engagement, SOP development and implementation, and specialty animal care. The Keeper will assist with nutritional assessments, seasonal diet adjustments, veterinary health monitoring, staff training, animal programs, and captive reproduction programs as assigned. A Bachelor’s degree in Life Science or equivalent experience is preferred; high school diploma required. Minimum two years paid animal husbandry experience in an AZA-accredited institution or related facility is required. Behavioral enrichment and operant conditioning experience preferred.
Senior Keeper: Responsible for daily care, safety, health, and well-being of assigned animals while demonstrating advanced knowledge of husbandry practices. Duties include scheduling and training staff, developing and maintaining animal management protocols, mentoring keepers, overseeing volunteers and interns, coordinating new staff and volunteer training, troubleshooting schedules, supporting animal programs and guest engagement, and assisting with animal care and specialty programs. A Bachelor’s degree in Life Science or equivalent experience is strongly preferred, with a minimum of five years paid experience in animal husbandry at an AZA-accredited institution or related facility. Behavioral enrichment and operant conditioning experience preferred, along with knowledge of animal nutrition, public engagement, communication, and facility maintenance.
All levels require quality guest service with a friendly, helpful, positive, and professional attitude. Candidates must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, bend, stoop, crawl, walk on uneven surfaces, and work in extreme weather conditions. A valid driver’s license is required. Candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check, and annual TB clearance.
Updated 17h 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
$23 - $27 per hour
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Phoenix Zoo
Team size
Growing team
Location
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
The Phoenix Zoo is a facility dedicated to the safety, health, and well-being of animals, offering public experiences and educational programs.
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Keeper
Phoenix, Arizona, United States • Full Time