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NZNashville Zoo
Nashville ZooZoo

Keeper Aide- Primate

Location

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Contract

Experience

0-1 years

Compensation

$14 - $16 per hour

Posted

11h ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

Nashville Zoo is seeking a motivated Keeper Aide to assist the primate team with daily husbandry operations, including cleaning, diet preparation, and enrichment. This entry-level role supports animal care routines and guest engagement, offering a valuable opportunity to start a career in animal care at an AZA-accredited institution.

Nashville Zoo is seeking a motivated and dependable individual to support the Primate Department within the Mammal Division. This full-time temporary six-month position provides hands-on experience in animal care at an AZA-accredited institution and is well suited for someone beginning a career in zoological animal care. The role involves daily husbandry operations, animal care, habitat maintenance, guest engagement, and support of departmental activities.

Responsibilities include cleaning and sanitizing habitats, raking and shoveling, preparing and distributing animal diets, providing food and water, implementing approved enrichment, maintaining records, and assisting with habitat horticulture and general maintenance. The position will observe animal behavior and health and report concerns to senior animal care staff. Duties also include assisting with ZIMS data entry and daily documentation, participating in animal training and enrichment activities, and learning species-appropriate handling techniques.

The employee will interact positively with zoo guests by answering questions, sharing information about animals, supporting educational presentations and supervised animal interactions, and promoting the Zoo’s conservation mission and programs. Additional duties may be assigned to support animal care and departmental operations. Employees are expected to maintain reliable attendance, professional conduct, teamwork, safety, and the organization’s values.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver’s license. Applicants should have knowledge of animal diet preparation, general biology and animal behavior, maintenance methods and materials, and safe use and care of tools and equipment. The role requires the ability to follow verbal and written instructions, work independently, communicate effectively with coworkers and the public, operate vehicles safely, and perform physical work in varying weather conditions.

The position requires frequent standing and walking during 8–10 hour shifts, as well as bending, kneeling, reaching, repetitive movements, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds with assistance. Employees must be able to navigate ladders, stairs, uneven terrain, and wet or slippery surfaces and have sufficient hand dexterity, vision, hearing, and communication skills to safely observe animals, operate equipment and gates, and use radios.

Work takes place indoors and outdoors year-round and may involve exposure to animal dander, hay, dust, insects, loud noises, odors, cleaning agents, biological hazards, zoonotic diseases, and potentially dangerous animals. Employees must follow established safety, animal handling, feeding, shifting, and emergency procedures and may be required to use PPE, including gloves, protective footwear, eye and hearing protection, and respirators. Vaccinations, TB testing, and respirator fit testing may be required.

The schedule may consist of eight-hour shifts or 10-hour shifts on various days, including early mornings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime. Schedule flexibility is required to accommodate special events, emergencies, and animal care needs. The position must be available to work weekends and periodically adjust working hours as needed.

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check and drug screening. Pre-employment and annual tuberculosis screenings are required as a condition of continued employment. Nashville Zoo is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. All employment is at-will. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Updated 11h ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Tools and Equipment Maintenance • 1+ yrs
Motor Vehicle Operation • 1+ yrs
Animal Diet Preparation • 1+ yrs
General Biology • 1+ yrs
Animal Behavior • 1+ yrs
Following Instructions • 1+ yrs
Self-direction • 1+ yrs
Interpersonal Communication • 1+ yrs

Experience

0-1 years

Certifications

Valid Driver's License • Required

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Contract

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

$14 - $16 per hour

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodHourly

Benefits and perks

Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationNashville, Tennessee, United States
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleMedium7/10
physicalHigh9/10
cognitiveMedium6/10
executionHigh8/10
creativityMedium5/10
uncertaintyMedium6/10
communicationMedium7/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

Nashville Zoo

Team size

Growing team

Location

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.

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Keeper Aide- Primate

Nashville, Tennessee, United StatesContract