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Regional hiringpublishedExternal employer
TVThe Virginia Zoo
The Virginia Zoo•Zoo & Wildlife Conservation

Zookeeper I

Asia Section

Location

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full Time

Experience

1-3 years

Compensation

$44.1K - $73.9K per year

Posted

1d ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

The Virginia Zoo is seeking an enthusiastic Zookeeper for its Asia section to ensure animal care, welfare, and safe working conditions. This role involves observing animals, feeding, maintaining exhibits, and conducting educational demonstrations within a collaborative team environment.

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk is currently seeking to employ an enthusiastic and experienced Zookeeper for the Asia section. Zookeeper roles are essential in ensuring animal care, welfare, and safe working conditions within the zoo, which houses numerous rare, endangered, and potentially dangerous species.


This position will operate within a collaborative team environment, contributing significantly to maintaining high standards in animal care, presentation, and customer service for nearly 500,000 annual zoo visitors. The candidate will primarily work with the Asia team within the Asia section but may be required to assist in any of the zoo's animal care areas as needed. Species in the Asia section include orangutan, siamang, gibbon, tiger, moon bear, tapir, otter, red panda, African painted dog, and cranes. Preferred candidate will have great ape experience.


For over 125 years The Virginia Zoological Park has been committed to saving and protecting the world's wildlife by inspiring a passion for nature and taking conservation action at home and around the world. Come live by the beautiful Chesapeake Bay; kayak launch sites are just outside our perimeter fence. We are situated 30 minutes from the ocean front and 3 hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains.


Essential Functions

  • Observes animals, checking for medical problems, changes in behavior, feeding habits, and overall well-being.

  • Feeds animals as specified by curatorial and veterinary staff in accordance with nutritional and behavioral requirements.

  • Cleans, disinfects, and maintains animal exhibits, enclosures, food and water dishes, pools, and other areas.

  • Keeps daily records on each animal (behavioral observations, and exhibit integrity and maintenance, etc.).

  • Supervises interns when required.

  • Conducts animal demonstrations for zoo visitors and writes educational presentations.

  • Must be able to handle and assist in the restraint and capture of animals.

  • Must be able to lift heavy feed and manure receptacles and walk long distances.

  • Must have knowledge of behavioral characteristics and handling procedures for assigned animals.

  • Must have knowledge of animal restraint apparatus such as ropes, squeeze cages, catch poles, shifts, nets etc.

  • Must be able to use tools and operate small equipment.

  • Requires normal hearing and seeing capabilities and the ability to stand, bend, lift, stoop, push and pull.

  • Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and work in a team environment.

  • Must work in a friendly and professional manner with staff, volunteers, colleagues, and zoo visitors.

  • Other duties as assigned.


Education/Experience

Work requires broad knowledge in a general profession or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, or a 2-year associate's degree from an accredited college with a dedicated zoo keeping or wildlife program.


One year of experience as a Zookeeper in an AZA accredited institution.


Preferred candidate will have great ape experience.


Additional Information & Requirements

Work hours: 40 hours a week worked over a 5-workday schedule; schedule may vary. Working weekends and holidays may be required.


Work location: Virginia Zoological Park, 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk 23504

Updated 1d ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Animal Care • 1+ yrs
Exhibit Maintenance • 1+ yrs
Record Keeping • 1+ yrs
Animal Handling & Restraint • 1+ yrs
Teamwork • 1+ yrs
Communication • 1+ yrs
Great Ape Experience • 1+ yrs
Operating Small Equipment • 1+ yrs

Experience

1-3 years

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

$44.1K - $73.9K per year

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodYearly

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationNorfolk, Virginia, United States
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleMedium • 7/10
physicalHigh • 8/10
cognitiveMedium • 7/10
executionHigh • 8/10
creativityMedium • 5/10
uncertaintyMedium • 6/10
communicationMedium • 7/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

The Virginia Zoo

Team size

Growing team

Location

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

For over 125 years, The Virginia Zoological Park has been committed to saving and protecting the world's wildlife by inspiring a passion for nature and taking conservation action at home and around the world. The zoo houses numerous rare, endangered, and potentially dangerous species.

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Zookeeper I

Norfolk, Virginia, United States • Full Time