Keeper — Dangerous Animals

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

Dangerous Animal Keeper

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.

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.

Wages:

Keeper level: $20.80-22.10 per hour, DOE

Sr. Keeper level: $23.90-25.60 per hour, DOE

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The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas.