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Regional hiringpublishedExternal employer
PZPhoenix Zoo
Phoenix ZooZoo

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

Animal Husbandry • 1+ yrs
Behavioral Enrichment • 1+ yrs
Animal Training • 1+ yrs
Operant Conditioning • 1+ yrs
Guest Service • 1+ yrs
Communication • 1+ yrs
Leadership • 1+ yrs
Problem Solving • 1+ yrs

Experience

0-5 years

Certifications

Valid Driver's License • Required
Pre-employment Background Check • Required
Drug Test • Required
DMV Check • Required
Annual TB Test • Required

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

$23 - $27 per hour

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodHourly

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationPhoenix, Arizona, United States
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleMedium7/10
physicalHigh8/10
cognitiveMedium7/10
executionHigh8/10
creativityMedium6/10
uncertaintyMedium6/10
communicationHigh8/10

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 StatesFull Time