Applying for Animal Care Specialist at San Antonio Zoo? Bypass the ATS Black Hole.
Traditional job applications often get trapped in algorithmic filters. With HireMail, uncover verified hiring managers and founders at San Antonio Zoo, generate tailored AI outreach hooks, record personalized video pitches, and dispatch directly through your authenticated Gmail.
Decision-Maker Intel
Recruiters & founders
Video & Voice Pitch
Interactive player embed
AI Live ATS Scraper
Fresh, unposted roles
Animal Care Specialist
Aviculture
Location
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
0-2 years
Compensation
$15 - $15 per hour
Posted
5d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
As an Animal Care Specialist in Aviculture, you will be responsible for the daily care, husbandry, and maintenance of assigned birds and their exhibits. This role involves detailed record-keeping, behavioral observations, animal enrichment, and collaboration with veterinary staff to ensure the well-being of the zoo's avian collection.
Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life. San Antonio Zoo offers a collaborative, mission-driven environment dedicated to securing a future for wildlife.
The Impact You Will Make in This Role:
As an Animal Care Specialist in the Aviculture Department, you will oversee all aspects of daily avian husbandry, habitat and plant maintenance, behavioral training, and record-keeping. This role requires independent judgment as expertise is acquired, supporting team goals and upholding the high standards established by the San Antonio Zoo and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Key Responsibilities:
Daily Husbandry and Exhibit Care:
Prepare and distribute nutritionally approved diets for assigned avian species.
Clean, inspect, and maintain on-exhibit and holding habitats, including substrate turnover, perching installation, trimming, and live plant care.
Maintain accurate daily logs concerning diet consumption, behavior, medical treatments, and general health.
Perform light exhibit maintenance and safely operate tools such as pressure washers, mowers, and weed trimmers.
Support department pest-control protocols to protect habitat hygiene and animal welfare.
Adhere to zoo standard operating procedures, AZA accreditation standards, and institutional safety policies.
Behavior, Training, and Enrichment:
Expand behavioral repertoires through positive operant conditioning for husbandry procedures and public demonstrations.
Design, implement, and evaluate species-specific enrichment strategies.
Monitor subtle shifts in bird behavior or health, reporting anomalies promptly to supervisors.
Safety and Emergency Response:
Exercise sound judgment during animal-related emergencies, escapes, or medical situations.
Work safely around delicate, flighty, or potentially dangerous bird species.
Ensure strict habitat security, verifying containment and locks before and after servicing enclosures.
Veterinary Support and Restraint:
Assist veterinary teams with routine exams, medical procedures, quarantine processing, and medication administration.
Participate in the safe capture, handling, and crating of diverse bird taxa, including dangerous species, while modeling safe handling techniques.
Guest Engagement and Community:
Conduct engaging educational presentations, keeper chats, and behind-the-scenes tours for zoo visitors and VIP guests.
Provide exceptional guest service aligned with institutional hospitality standards.
Assist in guiding, mentoring, and training departmental interns and volunteers.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
Associate degree or higher in zoology, biology, animal science, wildlife management, or a related field; equivalent professional experience and training may substitute for degree requirements.
Prior practical experience with avian husbandry in zoological habitats, mixed-species aviaries, or specialized breeding facilities.
Knowledge of avian biology, egg management, incubation practices, and chick hand-rearing is preferred.
Familiarity with or ability to quickly learn record-keeping software such as ZIMS and TRACKS.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort speaking before public audiences.
Ability to identify collection bird species and understand their ecological requirements.
Position Requirements:
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Valid driver license with a clean driving record; Texas Class C license required within 45 days of hire, or verified dependable transportation.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screening.
Physical ability to work outdoors across all South Texas weather conditions, including extreme heat, humidity, rain, and cold.
Flexible scheduling availability, including weekends, holidays, early mornings, evenings, and occasional after-hours events.
Updated 5d ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
0-2 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
San Antonio Zoo is a a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.
Popular Domains
Explore opportunities across specialized functional areas.
Trending Industries
Discover roles in the world's most innovative sectors.
Animal Care Specialist
San Antonio, Texas, United States • Full Time