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Zookeeper
Elephants
Location
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
2-5 years
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Posted
1d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
This Zookeeper position at Audubon Zoo is dedicated to the daily care of Asian Elephants, focusing on welfare initiatives, behavioral enrichment, and guest engagement. The role involves providing technical animal care, maintaining records, assisting with training, and participating in educational programs.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting directly to the Curator of Elephants, this position joins a dedicated team providing daily, progressive care for 0.3 Asian elephants. Zookeepers perform routine animal husbandry with minimal supervision, lead behavioral enrichment and positive reinforcement training, assist with habitat maintenance, support volunteers and interns, and deliver high-quality educational guest experiences. Candidates with 6+ years of relevant experience may qualify for a Senior Keeper classification upon meeting department benchmarks.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Elephant Husbandry and Welfare
- Provide specialized daily elephant care, including foot care, bath sessions, and operant conditioning routines.
- Prepare and feed prescribed diets; administer medications and assist veterinary staff during medical exams and treatments.
- Assist in protected-contact restraint, shifting, and management protocols under the supervision of the curator.
- Monitor daily physical and behavioral health, maintain precise animal records, and report abnormal behaviors or symptoms immediately.
- Plan and implement progressive behavioral enrichment and training programs.
- Participate in AZA species management and conservation initiatives as assigned.
Facility Maintenance and Operations
- Clean, disinfect, and maintain elephant habitats, holding stalls, grounds, and off-exhibit service areas daily.
- Operate moat pump systems, power tools, lawn equipment, and medium-to-heavy machinery.
- Identify and execute routine repairs; report larger structural maintenance needs to supervisors.
- Assist in basic pest control and groundskeeping/horticultural maintenance in elephant areas.
Guest Experience and Team Support
- Conduct daily public keeper chats, feeding demonstrations, and educational talks focused on conservation and wildlife missions.
- Lead behind-the-scenes VIP tours, donor events, and media presentations.
- Maintain professional customer service standards, camera-ready appearance, and address public safety concerns promptly.
- Train, guide, and evaluate interns and volunteers on safety and animal care protocols.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Experience
- Substantial experience in the husbandry, care, and handling of exotic megavertebrates or large mammals; direct elephant experience strongly preferred.
- Practical experience applying positive reinforcement / operant conditioning principles and enrichment techniques.
- Demonstrated track record of workplace safety in dangerous animal management.
- Familiarity with AZA and USDA regulatory guidelines and standards.
- Strong knowledge of zoonotic disease management and prevention.
Education and Certifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework or a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, or a related field preferred.
- Valid Louisiana driver's license.
- Current negative TB test and up-to-date tetanus booster.
- Fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Ability to complete ICS 100 and ICS 200 certifications.
- Basic computer processing proficiency.
PHYSICAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS
- Heavy physical labor: lifting up to 100 lbs occasionally and regularly lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs per OSHA standards.
- Prolonged standing, bending, walking, and working outdoors in extreme heat, high humidity, and heavy rain.
- Ability to manage stress and exercise sound judgment in high-risk environments around large, dangerous animals.
- Availability to work weekends, holidays, overtime, 24-hour on-call shifts, and serve on the Hurricane Storm Team as required.
Updated 1d ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
2-5 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
Compensation not disclosed
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Audubon Zoo
Team size
Growing team
Location
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Audubon Zoo is an organization dedicated to the care and survival of wildlife, providing daily guest experiences and focusing on welfare initiatives and research.
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Zookeeper
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States • Full Time