Animal Care Professional
Primates/South America
Location
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Contract
Experience
0-2 years
Compensation
$18 - $18 per hour
Posted
3d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Animal Care Professional is responsible for performing daily animal husbandry and supporting animal health and wellbeing, including monitoring behavior, maintaining habitats, preparing diets, providing enrichment, maintaining accurate records, and engaging with guests through informal and formal interactions. This role contributes to safe, consistent, and high-quality animal care operations across the assigned department, specifically for primates and South American animals.
The Animal Care Professional is responsible for performing daily animal husbandry and supporting the health and wellbeing of animals, including Black-Handed Spider Monkeys, De Brazza’s Monkeys, Sumatran Orangutans, Cotton-Top Tamarins, Black Howler Monkeys, Lar Gibbons, and other species. Duties include maintaining habitats, preparing diets, monitoring animal behavior and health, providing enrichment and training, adapting care practices to environmental and operational needs, maintaining accurate records, and safely handling, restraining, and transporting animals using approved techniques. The position observes, documents, and communicates animal health, behavior, and welfare concerns and works collaboratively with team members to maintain safe, consistent, and high-quality animal care operations. The ACP may assist with training new staff and volunteers and participates in guest engagement opportunities, including informal and formal presentations. Employees are expected to represent the Zoo professionally and follow organizational policies, departmental guidelines, safety procedures, and the Zoo’s mission and core values of Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Stewardship, and Inclusion.
The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but is expected to demonstrate professionalism, accountability, initiative, and safe work practices while serving as a positive example for staff and volunteers. The role involves exposure to outdoor and operational Zoo hazards, including weather, equipment, wet or uneven surfaces, humidity, and temperature changes. Employees must follow all safety policies and emergency procedures, use required personal protective equipment (PPE), and promptly report injuries, incidents, or safety concerns. Physical requirements include standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and moving for extended periods, using hands and tools or equipment, communicating effectively, and routinely lifting, moving, or carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds or more depending on assigned duties.
A bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or a related field is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Previous animal care experience is preferred and may include volunteer, internship, or paid experience in a zoo, aquarium, or similar setting. Candidates should demonstrate strong organizational, time management, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines. Attention to detail, standard computer skills, initiative, and an interest in conservation-focused work are also expected. Depending on assigned duties and risk exposure, employees may be required to complete TB testing, provide rabies vaccination or titer documentation and other vaccination records, and use PPE such as an N95 respirator when required. First Aid/CPR certification may be required or must be obtained. Employees who operate Zoo vehicles, golf carts, powered equipment, or attraction systems must maintain a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record, with pre-employment and annual MVR checks. Occasional travel may be required.
Work schedules are based on operational needs and may include weekdays, weekends, evenings, holidays, special events, emergencies, and unusual operational circumstances. Birmingham Zoo Inc. is committed to a safe, welcoming, and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. Final candidates may be subject to background screening and drug testing in accordance with applicable law. The job description may be modified based on operational needs and does not constitute an employment contract.
Updated 3d ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
0-2 years
Certifications
How this role is positioned
Role classification
Job domains
Industries
Employment
Contract
Contract duration
Permanent
Hiring type
Direct
Global hiring
Location specific
Offer details
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
$18 - $18 per hour
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Birmingham Zoo
Team size
Growing team
Location
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Birmingham Zoo Inc. (BZI) is a nonprofit, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited Zoo and regional tourist attraction serving the greater Birmingham community and beyond. We advance wildlife conservation through responsible animal care, education, and local and global conservation efforts in support of our mission, Inspiring Passion to Conserve the Natural World.
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Animal Care Professional
Birmingham, Alabama, United States • Contract