Animal Keeper - Dangerous Animal Experience

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.

Experience Required

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.

Further Comments

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

Salary

• Wages: Keeper level: $22.97 to 23.81 DOE