Facility

Santa Barbara Zoo

Closing Date

Description

The Santa Barbara Zoo is seeking a full-time Animal Keeper for our Animal Care and Health team with prior experience working with dangerous animals, including large carnivores.

In this role, you will work with a diverse range of taxa, including mammals, birds, and ectotherms. You will be responsible for husbandry, maintaining naturalistic exhibits, and ensuring the highest standards of animal care and well-being. The ideal candidate would also welcome the challenge of participating in the zoo’s local field conservation activities including California condor, island fox, as well as local bird and ectotherm species.

Key Responsibilities:

· Provide exemplary husbandry and care for a variety of animals, both large and small, including PDAs (Potentially Deadly Animals).
· Maintain and enhance naturalistic exhibits, creating a safe and stimulating environment for the animals, focused on demonstrating natural behaviors.
· Actively participate in on-grounds or local field conservation activities, contributing to initiatives involving California condor, island fox, and local ectotherm species.
· Collaborate closely with the Animal Care & Health team, reporting to a Zoological Manager and the Director of Animal Care.
· Engage with the public through educational programs and public speaking engagements.
· Ensure the safety and well-being of both animals and team members in a strenuous work environment that may require lifting up to 50 lbs as needed, navigate uneven surfaces, reaching overhead, climbing and other physical requirements.

Education and Pre-requisites

Qualifications:

· Minimum of 1-2 years experience in working at an AZA accredited facility with a variety of taxa, including dangerous animals.
· Proficiency in animal husbandry, exhibit maintenance, and behavioral enrichment.
· A commitment to wildlife conservation and an eagerness to engage in local field conservation activities.
· Strong teamwork ethic and personal accountability.
· Excellent public speaking and communication skills.
· Physical fitness to handle the demands of the position.

Bachelor’s degree in Life Science, or graduation from two-year college program focused on captive animal husbandry. Experience in routine animal husbandry in a zoo, aquarium or closely related activity or facility.

Previous work experience in an AZA accredited facility is preferred.

Compensation and benefits

The Santa Barbara Zoo is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas.
Compensation: $22.90 – $25.60 per hour DOE
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Great team, beautiful grounds, great animal collection, sunshine & ocean view almost year-round! Comprehensive benefits package, incl. voluntary supplemental insurances, a paid conservation day, a paid zoo day to visit another AZA accredited institution, free guest passes, holidays and paid time off, discounts on food services and retail purchases as well as select special events, access to professional development through San Diego Zoo Global Academy platform and other resources, and much more…
Benefits:
Guest Passes
Flexible Spending Account
Employee Assistance Program
Zoo Day
Conservation Day
Voluntary Plans available
SEP Retirement Plan
Free hot beverage every morning
Company parties
Dental insurance
Employee discounts
Free food & snacks
Free uniforms
Opportunity for advancement
Paid time off
Training & development
Vision insurance
Wellness resources

Application instructions

Apply at: https://sbzoo.careerplug.com/j/020to3y

Once you apply, please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not see an email response from the Zoo.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Known as one of the world’s most beautiful zoos, it is located on 30 acres of lush botanic gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is home to more than 146 animal species living in open, naturalistic habitats. Our wonderful collaborative team includes up to 220 employees and 50 volunteers.