Supervising Primary Keeper

Supervising Primary Keeper - Children's Zoo

Oakland Zoo is seeking a Supervising Primary Keeper for the Children’s Zoo to oversee the daily care and management of Crowned Lemurs, Ring-Tailed Lemurs, River Otters, Fruit Bats, Rabbits, Domestic Pigs, Goats, and Sheep. The role combines animal care, team mentoring, behavioral management, guest engagement, conservation, and leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee String development, including scheduling, protocols, behavioral management, projects, and administrative responsibilities.

• Mentor and support keepers, volunteers, interns, and junior staff.

• Promote a positive, inclusive, collaborative, and solution-focused team culture.

• Apply leadership and coaching practices to support team development and performance.

• Provide high-quality animal care using observation, enrichment, training, and other management techniques.

• Assess the physical and psychological needs of animals and develop appropriate care strategies.

• Demonstrate expertise in selected species or taxa and maintain current knowledge of captive wildlife management.

• Implement zoo and departmental priorities while identifying opportunities for improvement.

• Support guest engagement through casual interactions, educational programs, press interviews, and instructional activities.

• Manage String projects and contribute to research and departmental initiatives.

• Coordinate department functions and emergency response when senior management is unavailable.

• Support conservation education and encourage visitors to take action for wildlife.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum 6 years of full-time paid experience caring for captive wildlife in a zoo setting, preferably at an AZA or GFAS-accredited facility.

• At least 1 year of experience in a Senior Keeper or equivalent leadership role.

• For Senior Keeper Level C or Lead Keeper Level A, at least 8 years of full-time paid experience is required.

• For Lead Keeper Level A, at least 2 years of experience as a Supervising Primary Keeper or equivalent is required.

• Strong experience in animal care and management.

• Experience leading paid staff, volunteers, or interns, including conflict management and leadership development.

• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, and team-building skills.

• Extensive knowledge of the natural history and captive management of relevant wildlife species.

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required.

• Ability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and outside normal business hours.

• Willingness to work safely around wild and potentially dangerous animals.

• Negative TB test within the past year, tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years, and measles vaccination required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with petting yards or ambassador animals.

• Strong knowledge of behavioral training theory and practical application.

• Experience mentoring and training new staff, interns, or volunteers.

• Experience engaging guests through conservation education.

• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology, or a related field, or a specialized associate degree.

Physical and Work Requirements:

• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including environments with dirt and dust.

• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs and move objects weighing at least 120 lbs.

• Ability to walk long distances over uneven, steep, or muddy terrain.

• Ability to safely perform physically demanding animal care activities.

Key Skills:

• Strong collaboration, communication, organization, and time-management skills.

• Dependable and self-motivated with the ability to work independently.

• Flexible and capable of managing changing priorities and high-pressure situations.

• Strong project management and problem-solving abilities.

• Commitment to inclusive teamwork and respectful workplace practices.

• Passion for wildlife conservation, animal welfare, and Oakland Zoo’s mission.

Compensation and Application:
The position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The hourly pay range is $31.92-$35.35, with placement based on experience and qualifications. Applicants must submit a resume, and selected candidates must attend an on-site working interview. The application deadline is October 20, 2026.