Zookeeper
Ungulate
Location
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
2-5 years
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Posted
5d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
Zookeepers are responsible for the specialized care of native and exotic ungulates, including feeding, enclosure maintenance, behavioral observation, and health care. This role involves daily animal husbandry, training, enrichment, and maintaining detailed records, while also engaging with the public through presentations.
Zookeepers are responsible for the health and wellbeing of native and exotic animals through feeding, enclosure maintenance, behavioral observation, training, enrichment, and health care. This position works primarily with ungulates, including Black Rhinos, Reticulated Giraffes, Eastern Bongo, Grevy’s Zebras, Bactrian Camels, and Bison.
Essential Functions:
Provide daily care for assigned animals and exhibits in compliance with AZA and USDA standards.
Prepare and feed approved diets and monitor animal health, physical condition, and behavior.
Implement behavioral training, operant conditioning, and enrichment programs.
Design, maintain, and repair animal enclosures, props, and exhibits.
Provide preventative husbandry and proactive health care, including care for neonates and young animals when required.
Maintain clean, safe, attractive, and presentable exhibits and holding areas.
Perform general maintenance such as painting, fence and shelter repairs, erosion control, weed removal, snow removal, and cleaning shared work areas.
Observe animals for illness, injury, lethargy, or dietary concerns and report issues to the Veterinarian, Area Supervisor, or Director of Animal Care.
Assist with veterinary examinations and administer prescribed medications and treatments.
Maintain effective working relationships with staff and communicate professionally with the public.
Complete daily reports, medical records, enrichment logs, and other required documentation.
Conduct Keeper Chats, answer guest questions, and participate in Behind-the-Scenes tours, media events, public relations activities, and special events.
Capture, restrain, crate, move, and transport animals using approved practices for medical procedures, internal transfers, external shipping, and routine care.
Operate animal squeeze cages and perform basic restraint and crating/uncrating procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Competencies:
Must follow written and oral instructions and demonstrate flexibility, self-motivation, enthusiasm, reliability, punctuality, teamwork, and effective time management. Must remain calm and efficient during emergencies. Must be able to use rifles, shotguns, and capture dart guns as required for animal escape and recovery procedures. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, is required.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Helps train and oversee Junior Zookeepers, interns, volunteers, and seasonal employees. This position has no direct reports.
Work Environment:
Must tolerate exposure to strong odors, toxic or caustic chemicals, dust, hay, animal fur, hair and dander, wet or humid conditions, and varying outdoor weather conditions.
Physical Demands:
Must be able to climb ladders and stairs; lift and move crates, animals, and equipment weighing up to 70 pounds; operate mowers, fire hoses, weed eaters, hay elevators, motorized carts, tractors, dump trucks, and pickup trucks; and maneuver wheelbarrows loaded up to 150 pounds. Must be agile and flexible when working around animals in exhibits, corrals, and holding areas.
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience as determined by the hiring authority.
Preferred Qualifications:
Previous zookeeper and/or animal training experience. Experience working at an AZA-accredited facility is preferred.
Additional Qualifications:
Must maintain a current tetanus vaccination and be willing to complete annual TB testing. Must obtain CPR/AED certification within one year of employment. Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as required. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a pre-employment background check are required. COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are encouraged, and employees must follow organizational masking protocols when required.
Updated 5d ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
2-5 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
Compensation not disclosed
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium
Team size
Growing team
Location
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Join us at the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium as a member of our Ungulate team!
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Zookeeper
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States • Full Time