Animal Care Specialist II - Float
Location
Denver, Colorado, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
2-10 years
Compensation
$24 - $29 per hour
Posted
2d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Animal Care Specialist II - Float supports all Animal Care teams at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, ensuring safe exhibition, handling, feeding, and husbandry of all animal species. This role involves providing innovative animal husbandry, assisting with veterinary care, implementing behavioral programs, and interacting with guests.
Animal Care Specialist II - Float
Position Overview:
The Animal Care Specialist II - Float supports all Animal Care teams and advances Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) goals by providing safe, high-quality exhibition, handling, feeding, training, and husbandry for a variety of animal species. Candidates must be available for flexible schedules, including weekends, with schedules varying according to operational needs.
Key Responsibilities:
• Provide animal husbandry in accordance with AZA and USDA standards, including enclosure and life-support system maintenance, diet preparation and feeding, animal handling/restraint, veterinary support, preventative care, and health monitoring.
• Care for eggs, neonates, and young animals, including outside normal hours when required.
• Monitor animal physical and behavioral health and implement approved behavioral, enrichment, breeding, operant conditioning, and training programs.
• Capture, handle, move, and transport animals for medical procedures, shipping, internal transfers, and routine care.
• Perform scuba diving for exhibit maintenance, animal capture, and repairs when applicable.
• Maintain animal, facility, water-quality, and daily records and prepare required reports.
• Provide guest engagement through keeper talks, tours, special events, and educational programs.
• Train keepers, interns, and volunteers on standard animal-care procedures.
• Respond to animal-related emergencies and coordinate contractors or maintenance personnel working in animal areas.
• Collaborate with education, maintenance, horticulture, veterinary, conservation, research, and other teams.
• Follow safety, sustainability, health, confidentiality, and organizational policies and demonstrate DZCA values of Welcoming, United, Curious, Courageous, and Transformative.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in an animal-related or animal behavior-related field plus 2 years of full-time zookeeping experience caring for, feeding, and handling exotic animals at an AZA-accredited institution; comparable facilities may be considered.
OR
• Associate degree or equivalent college credits in an animal-related/animal behavior field plus 4 years of full-time zookeeping experience at an AZA-accredited institution. Denver Zoo animal-department internships may count toward AZA experience when the candidate has at least an Associate degree in biological sciences.
OR
• Candidates without a degree may be considered with 10+ years of full-time zookeeping experience involving exhibition and husbandry of varied exotic animals at an AZA-accredited institution.
• Must be able, with appropriate training, to work across animal care, husbandry, and training functions within the assigned department.
Position Conditions:
• Must be at least 21 years old with a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Must pass a physical examination, background check, and pre-employment drug/alcohol screening.
• Must provide a negative TB test and complete a rabies titer.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• On-campus position with flexible scheduling, including weekends.
Compensation & Benefits:
Hourly pay: $24.50–$29.65.
Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid vacation/sick/personal leave and holidays, family DZCA membership, event ticket discounts, concession and retail discounts, and free parking.
Updated 2d ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
2-10 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
$24 - $29 per hour
Benefits and perks
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
Team size
Growing team
Location
Denver, Colorado, United States
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations.
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Animal Care Specialist II - Float
Denver, Colorado, United States • Full Time