Zoo Keeper Mammals
Starting pay: $8.80/hour

Nature of Work

Effective immediately a Zoo Keeper position is available in the Mammal Department (starting pay: $8.80/hr). Mammal Department Zoo Keepers perform a variety of tasks related to the handling and care of animals and their environments. The work requires an amount of independent action with less immediate supervision given after experience is acquired.

Essential Functions:

• Establish and maintain positive, cooperative, and effective working relations with fellow employees.
• Constantly exhibit a customer service attitude, a smile, and an obvious interest in visitor comfort and service.
• Communicate with the public in a courteous and tactful manner and assist visitors with questions and directions to various areas of the Zoo. Address the visitor - do not wait to be asked.
• Remove trash and debris from public areas; i.e. pick up litter whenever you see it.
• Observe, evaluate, and report animal behavior and condition to a supervisor on a daily basis.
• Perform routine and special duties involved in the daily care and maintenance of animals in captivity.
• Exchange information with supervisory staff and coworkers on a regular basis.
• Clean and maintain animal enclosures, service areas, and holding facilities using rake shovel, wheelbarrows and other tools daily and as required.
• Assist in treating zoo animals in accordance with instructions of a supervisor or Zoo Veterinarian.
• Provide assistance in construction and maintenance of animal enclosures, facility renovation and/or animal transfer.
• Provide information and assistance to the public.
• Drive motor vehicles or operate mechanical equipment as required.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities :

• Ability to work safely around delicate, wild, and dangerous animals.
• Ability to withstand heavy outdoor labor in extreme temperatures typical of South Texas.
• Sufficient delicacy to handle, examine, and move without harming sick, injured, or struggling small (often neonatal) animals.
• Sufficient strength, agility, and coordination to net, capture, and/or restrain animals of extreme size, strength, and agility.
• Ability to lift heavy (60 lb.) objects from ground level, move approximately 10', and to perform this function at least five times in succession without danger of injury.
• Ability to safely maneuver a loaded wheelbarrow (100 lbs.) over uneven uphill terrain.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Able to communicate in English.
• Able to safely operate light motor vehicles.

Minimum Qualifications :

• Ability to work weekends, holidays and occasional after-hour assignments.
• Valid Texas driver's license.
• Associate degree in wildlife management, zoology, biology, or related field preferred.
• One-year zoo keeping experience.

Qualified applicants desiring consideration for this position must submit an application/resume to:

San Antonio Zoological Gardens & Aquarium
ATTN: Human Resources Department
(Mammal Position Opening)
3903 N. St. Mary’s St.
San Antonio, Texas 78212
Fax (210) 734-7291

Download the Zoo's Employment Application (PDF)

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