Animal Keeper (Animal Connections)

SALARY & FLSA: $33.49 per hour; FLSA non-exempt

$33.49 - $38.25. The starting rate for this role is $33.49 per hour. Every employee under the Joint Crafts Council wage scale, on first appointment, will receive the first step of the salary range for the position. Employees will advance to the second step at the start of the pay period after their one-year anniversary in the job classification and each milestone thereafter (3 years, 6 years, 11 years, and 17 years of service) with Step 6 being the maximum pay rate.

OPENING DATE: 04/14/2026
CLOSING DATE: 05/01/2026 This position may close early if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Regular
UNION: Represented
OPENINGS: 1
LOCATION: Onsite
DEPARTMENT: Animal Management

This position's schedule is generally 7:30 AM- 4:00PM , 5 days a week. Schedule and shift times may change with advance notice. 

Ambassador Animal Experience Preferred

HOW DO YOU ZOO?
More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.

WHO YOU ARE
As our new Animal Keeper, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:

• You bring hands-on animal care experience and sound judgment – Through related experience and training, you support daily husbandry, animal welfare, and safe operations with care, consistency, and attention to detail.

• You’re adaptable, dependable, and ready to respond – You’re comfortable with on-call responsibilities and working evenings, weekends, and holidays, and you consistently show up prepared to meet the needs of animals and the team.

• You’re a clear communicator and practical problem-solver – You can read and interpret scientific and technical information, respond professionally to visitor or media inquiries, and share information clearly with coworkers and leadership.

• You’re mission-driven and values-centered – You demonstrate a strong commitment to the zoo’s mission and Core Values, bringing professionalism, respect, and integrity to your work every day.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, GENERAL ANIMAL KEEPER

Animal Care and Husbandry

• Assess animals daily to ensure they are properly cared for and secured.
• Observe animal behavior, report abnormal behavior patterns, and provide technical advice to management and staff.
• Prepare food for and feed assigned animals according to approved diet plans.
• Clean and disinfect assigned animal and exhibit areas.
• Follow treatment plans and preventive health programs as prescribed by the Zoo Veterinarian or Zoo Curators.
• Participate in the capture and restraint of animals as directed by management.
• Assist with the physical transfer of animals.
• Maintain supply inventories.

Health, Safety, and Welfare

• Identify and communicate safety concerns to management in a timely manner.
• Support special animal care activities such as physical examinations, minor exhibit repairs and modifications, and major exhibit maintenance projects.
• Implement animal care procedures and policies, including record keeping.
  

Behavioral and Research Support

• Assist in development and implementation of behavioral husbandry program.
• Provide technical assistance to internal or external researchers conducting authorized zoo studies.
  

Education and Public Engagement

• Plan, prepare, and conduct public presentations on animal care and conservation.
• Conduct behind-the-scenes tours, as directed.
• Represent the Woodland Park Zoo to the media, as directed.
• Institutional Support
• Support fundraising and development efforts of the zoo.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, QUARANTINE ANIMAL KEEPER

Planning and Coordination

• Work with incoming animal veterinary staff and curators to plan and schedule new animal arrivals—determine appropriate and available housing for incoming animals.
• Attend incoming animal planning meetings.
• Plan housing (appropriate space, lighting, temperature, humidity) and dietary requirements to ensure optimal welfare of animal arrivals.
• Ensure space for incoming animals is prepared and ready when they arrive; ensure diet items are ordered from commissary and stocked prior to animal arrival.
• Update the Animal Health Quarantine Space Assignments map weekly and distribute.
  

Animal Arrival and Intake

• Arrange for animal arrival/receipt and unload into prepared space.
• Weigh and photograph the animal on arrival.
• Review and distribute documentation accompanying the animal.
• Contact registrar with identifying information and request accession number creation.
• Notify sending institution and other WPZ personnel that the animal has arrived and report its condition.
• Clean and disinfect shipping crates; arrange for return to the sending institution as necessary.
  

Quarantine Care and Compliance

• Follow all directives from veterinarians regarding quarantine plan including testing and duration.
• Follow required quarantine PPE, disinfection, and waste disposal requirements.
• Complete significant life event welfare assessment after animal arrival.
• Participate in quarantine examinations with veterinarian and/or veterinary technicians.
• Implement agreed-upon training of animals while in quarantine.
  

Communication and Transfer

• Communicate with receiving animal care staff about status of animal and estimate timing for transfer to unit.
• Coordinate and participate in transfer of animal to unit once quarantine period ends.
  

Facilities and Equipment Maintenance

• Keep Animal Health quarantine area and back parking lot clean and in repair.
• Drive the Animal Health ambulance and/or cart as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in a life sciences field from an accredited four-year college or university; and two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history.

BENEFITS

The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for full time staff including:

• Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents
• 11 paid holidays and 4 personal holidays
• Accrue 12 vacation days and another 12 days of sick leave your first year
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts after 90 days 
• 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks  
• Free staff parking 
• 403(b) Retirement Plan

SELECTION PROCESS
Application: Please include a resume with your application through our Zoo Careers site at zoo.org/jobs. Please be sure to list or upload copies of all relevant training and certifications on your application. The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies.

This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.

Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for screening calls. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.

Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check. In addition, this role requires the applicant successfully complete a: driving record review, pre-employment physical, and pre-employment tuberculosis test.

 

Operates a zoological park for wildlife conservation and education.