Animal Care Specialist
Aviculture I
Location
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
1-5 years
Compensation
$15 - $15 per hour
Posted
1d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
As an Animal Care Specialist in the Aviculture Department, you will be responsible for all aspects of daily animal care, maintenance of exhibits and plants, data collection, and documents. This role involves general husbandry, behavioral observations, safety protocols, and animal enrichment for a diverse group of bird species, requiring independent action after expertise is acquired.
Animal Care Specialist – Aviculture
The Animal Care Specialist in the Aviculture Department is responsible for daily animal care, exhibit and plant maintenance, behavioral training, data collection, and documentation for a diverse collection of bird species. The role requires strong avian husbandry knowledge, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently while collaborating with veterinary, animal care, and leadership teams.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide daily husbandry, including diet preparation and feeding for assigned birds.
Inspect, clean, and maintain exhibit and off-exhibit areas, including substrates, perches, plants, and habitat features.
Observe, evaluate, and document animal behavior, health, routines, and medical treatments.
Train animals using operant conditioning and develop species-specific enrichment programs.
Identify behavioral or health concerns and report issues promptly to management.
Safely work around wild, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous species while following all animal safety protocols.
Secure animals, enclosures, and related structures to protect animals, staff, and guests.
Assist veterinary staff with treatments, medications, examinations, crating, transfers, translocations, and other animal procedures.
Participate in capture and restraint of various species and help guide team members in safe handling techniques.
Maintain accurate records and departmental documentation using applicable animal management systems.
Engage guests through animal chats, educational discussions, special events, and behind-the-scenes tours.
Maintain professional relationships with staff, volunteers, interns, veterinary teams, leadership, and guests.
Assist with training and evaluating volunteers and interns.
Support departmental pest control and maintain clean, safe animal habitats and work areas.
Perform light maintenance and repairs to exhibits and fixtures and report major issues to leadership.
Safely operate equipment such as mowers, pressure washers, weed eaters, and power tools.
Follow San Antonio Zoo policies, SOPs, safety standards, AZA requirements, and applicable regulatory guidelines.
Complete required training and perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Skills:
Associate degree or higher in wildlife management, animal science, zoology, biology, or a related field preferred. Equivalent education, training, and experience may be considered.
Knowledge of avian biology, behavior, husbandry, and natural history preferred.
Experience caring for birds in zoo settings, including large aviaries and smaller species habitats.
Ability to identify, safely handle, examine, and transfer eggs.
Knowledge of incubation and chick hand-rearing preferred.
Experience with successful nesting and breeding of various bird species preferred.
Knowledge of plant care and habitat maintenance preferred.
Ability to learn and use animal management systems such as ZIMS and TRACKS.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to speak confidently with guests and groups.
Strong teamwork, problem-solving, observation, and critical-thinking skills.
Ability to work independently with limited immediate supervision after
Updated 1d ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
1-5 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
$15 - $15 per hour
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
San Antonio Zoo
Team size
Growing team
Location
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.
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Animal Care Specialist
San Antonio, Texas, United States • Full Time