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TLThe Living Desert
The Living Desert•Zoo

Animal Care Keeper - African Safari

Location

Palm Desert, California, United States

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full Time

Experience

1+ years

Compensation

$19 - $19 per hour

Posted

3d ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

The Animal Care Keeper for African Safari is responsible for the daily care, husbandry, and behavioral management of animals including giraffes and African painted dogs. This front-line position involves habitat maintenance, staff training, medical procedures, and engaging with guests to support desert conservation and education.

POSITION: Animal Care Keeper - African Safari

LOCATION: Palm Desert, California

ORGANIZATION: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

COMPENSATION: $19.23 per hour

POSITION OVERVIEW

The African Safari Keeper provides daily husbandry, behavioral management, habitat maintenance, and guest engagement for the African Safari section. This area includes a breeding herd of giraffe, African painted dogs, diverse hoofstock, and bird species. This front-line role supports desert conservation through animal welfare, public education, and modern zoo practices.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Husbandry & Daily Care:

- Prepare diets, feed animals according to prescribed schedules, and restock feed supplies.

- Clean, sanitize, and maintain habitats, holding stalls, service areas, and grounds.

- Conduct daily visual health checks, tracking behavioral changes, intake, fecal consistency, and signs of illness, stress, or injury.

- Maintain and perform minor repairs on enclosures, shade cloth, misting systems, automatic drinkers, and perimeter fencing, including monthly containment checks.

- Safely capture and restrain animals for transport or medical care using approved methods (hand, net, catch pole, corralling, or hand injection).

- Assist veterinary staff with administering prescribed medications, collecting biological samples, performing weights and measurements, and post-procedure recovery.

- Log daily operational records, medical treatments, and behavioral notes in the ZIMS database.

- Assist with incubation, neonate hand-rearing, and pest control management when directed.

Behavior & Enrichment:

- Execute daily behavioral enrichment programs and operant conditioning routines.

- Train animals individually for husbandry management, health checks, and educational demonstrations using positive reinforcement protocols.

Guest Engagement & Communication:

- Deliver engaging formal and informal keeper talks, educational presentations, and donor tours.

- Assist with marketing, media appearances, special events, and educational outreach.

- Maintain high guest-service standards and present clean, well-maintained habitats for public viewing.

- Collaborate with team members and management, giving and receiving constructive feedback professionally.

Safety:

- Adhere to strict safety protocols, including Two Key/Two Lock/Two Keeper and Lock Out/Tag Out procedures when working around dangerous wildlife.

- Follow emergency response procedures calmly and effectively to safeguard animals, guests, and colleagues.

- Comply with all applicable USDA and AZA standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

- Education: Associate degree (AA/AS) or higher in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, or a related field. Bachelor's degree preferred.

- Experience: Minimum of one year of hands-on exotic animal care experience. (One year of full-time exotic animal experience can substitute for one year of college education.)

- Prior experience with operant conditioning and public speaking/presentations is preferred.

- Licensing: Valid California driver's license with an insurable driving record.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

- Physical Demands: Continuous standing, walking, bending, twisting, climbing, crawling, kneeling, and reaching; regularly lifting up to 50 lbs.

- Environment: Frequent exposure to extreme desert heat, dust, outdoor weather conditions, disinfectants, and cleaning chemicals.

- Wildlife Interaction: Direct and protected-contact work with potentially dangerous animals, including large ungulates and carnivores.

- Schedule: Regular weekend and holiday shifts required.

- Equipment: Operation of utility carts, tractors, Bobcats, hand/power tools, radios, capture equipment, bear deterrent spray, and basic office computers.

Updated 3d ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Animal Husbandry • 1+ yrs
Animal Training • 1+ yrs
Behavioral Management • 1+ yrs
Critical Thinking • 1+ yrs
Record Keeping • 1+ yrs
Guest Service • 1+ yrs
Communication • 1+ yrs
Emergency Response • 1+ yrs

Experience

1+ years

Certifications

Valid California driver license • Required

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

$19 - $19 per hour

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodHourly

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationPalm Desert, California, United States
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleHigh • 8/10
physicalHigh • 9/10
cognitiveHigh • 8/10
executionHigh • 9/10
creativityMedium • 6/10
uncertaintyMedium • 7/10
communicationHigh • 9/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

The Living Desert

Team size

Growing team

Location

Palm Desert, California, United States

The Living Desert (TLD) is a zoo dedicated to supporting desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation. It is home to a variety of animal collections, including a breeding herd of giraffe, African painted dogs, and various hoof stock and birds.

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Animal Care Keeper - African Safari

Palm Desert, California, United States • Full Time