Animal Keeper, Elephants
Location
Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
3-5 years
Compensation
$51.5K - $68.9K per year
Posted
8h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
This role involves providing daily care, welfare management, and behavioral conditioning for a multi-generational herd of African elephants at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Animal Keeper will perform habitat maintenance, diet preparation, and animal observation, while also engaging with guests and collaborating with various teams to uphold world-class husbandry standards and conservation efforts.
About the Role & Team
Walt Disney's legacy of caring for animals and the environment is deeply ingrained in the culture of Disney Experiences. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we are committed to excellence in animal care, guest education, and global conservation efforts.
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Animal Keeper to join our dedicated Elephant team. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the daily management, enrichment, and behavioral conditioning of a multi-generational, mixed-sex herd of African elephants in a dynamic zoological setting. As part of a collaborative and highly skilled team, you will be instrumental in upholding world-class standards in husbandry while playing a vital role in conservation and education efforts.
If selected for this full-time role, you will report to a team of Zoological Managers.
What You Will Do
Provide exceptional daily care, welfare management, behavioral conditioning, and enrichment for a multi-generational, mixed-sex herd of African elephants.
Perform daily routines, including habitat maintenance, animal observation, diet preparation, and communication of medical needs or behavioral observations to Zoological Managers.
Accurately maintain animal records, ensuring data is logged and communicated effectively within the central animal record-keeping system.
Work in an outdoor environment with varying temperatures and humidity levels common to Central Florida, including extreme heat.
Foster a strong team dynamic by collaborating with fellow keepers and partnering with maintenance, operational managers, horticulture, veterinary staff, educators, and scientists.
Engage with Guests and Cast Members, sharing valuable animal insights and conservation messaging to enhance their experience.
Adapt to a flexible schedule, including early mornings (starting as early as 5 AM), late evenings (ending as late as midnight), weekends, and holidays as required.
Required Qualifications & Skills
Demonstrated hands-on experience working with large mammals, with expertise in husbandry, enrichment, and operant conditioning techniques.
Strong observational and data collection skills related to species management and research.
At least three years of paid experience as a keeper in an AZA-accredited institution or in an institution with equivalent standards.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed for routine tasks in the work environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience working specifically with elephants, demonstrating proficiency in their behavioral needs and social structures.
Advanced knowledge and application of operant conditioning techniques.
Experience in guest-facing roles, providing meaningful interaction and education opportunities.
Education
Minimum of one of the following:
Three years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA-accredited institution (or equivalent), plus two years of verifiable college coursework (60 semester hours).
Four years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA-accredited institution (or equivalent), plus one year of verifiable college coursework (30 semester hours).
Five years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA-accredited institution (or equivalent).
Updated 8h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
3-5 years
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
$51.5K - $68.9K per year
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Walt Disney World Resort
Team size
Growing team
Location
Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States
Walt Disney's legacy of caring for animals and the environment is deeply ingrained in the culture of Disney Experiences. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we are committed to excellence in animal care, guest education, and global conservation efforts.
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Animal Keeper, Elephants
Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States • Full Time