Application Deadline: Sunday, 5 April 2026 and/or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to close the posting early if a well-qualified candidate pool has been established. Early submission is encouraged. Please ensure that your application highlights your experience and qualifications as they relate to the responsibilities of this role.
- Have experience in food handling and want to make an impact beyond the kitchen?
- If you’ve worked in food prep, as a prep cook, kitchen assistant, or in a food production environment, this is a unique opportunity to apply your skills in a mission-driven wildlife setting.
- As an Animal Nutrition Technician I (Full-Time) at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, you play an essential behind-the-scenes role in supporting the health and well-being of hundreds of animals.
- Your day begins early in the Animal Nutrition Center, the Zoo’s specialized production kitchen.
- Here, every ingredient matters.
- Using your knowledge of food preparation, portion control, and HACCP food safety practices, you will prepare and measure balanced, species-specific diets for animals across the Zoo, from small reptiles and birds to large mammals.
- This hands-on role mirrors the pace and structure of a professional kitchen, requiring precision, strong measurement skills, and attention to sanitation and food handling standards.
- You’ll be helping fuel conservation, ensuring animals receive the nutrition they need to thrive.
- Working closely with animal care, veterinary, and nutrition teams, you will help ensure that diets are prepared accurately and distributed efficiently each day.
- Your work directly supports animal wellness, veterinary care, and conservation programs that protect wildlife for future generations.
- Help us meet our mission, "Connecting our community to wildlife and wild places."
What you bring:
- 6 months of experience in food preparation in a commercial kitchen, food service operation, or similar environment.
- Working knowledge of HACCP protocols and safe food handling.
- Strong math and measurement skills (fractions, conversions, portioning).
- Ability to work independently while making sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively with multiple departments.
- Physical ability to perform active, on-your-feet 6–8 hour shift, including excessive heat and cold in association with the kitchen environment.
- Pre-Employment Requirements: Candidates selected for this position must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings prior to their start date. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to ensure the safety of staff, animals, and visitors. These include:
- Non-DOT physical examination
- Professional Reference Check
Employment Verification
- Proof of a current negative tuberculosis (TB) test.
- Documentation of required vaccinations, including rabies vaccination or titer.
- A Plus…
- Experience in a zoo, aquarium, or institutional food service environment.
- Food Handling/Sanitation certification.
- Successful completion of a degree in the field of dietetics, food, nutrition, food service management, institution management, or related science.
- Working knowledge of regulatory compliances, OSHA, Association of Zoos, and Aquariums (AZA) and USDA.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to consistently remain on your feet for 8-10 hours on shift.
- Ability to work outdoors and indoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
- Ability to work in excessive heat and cold in association with the kitchen environment.
- Ability to transport and move items frequently up to 50 pounds for short distances without difficulty.
- Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs.
- Manual dexterity for standing, reaching, flexibility, and body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling, stoop, bend, lift, kneel, crawl, climb, jump, dig and prolonged standing.
- Visual acuity for reading, writing, and observing surroundings, and auditory acuity for communication.
- Ability to operate motorized carts, trucks, and power tools.
- Ability to safely operate specialized food preparation equipment such as; ovens, microwaves, grinders, blenders, dishwashers, sharpeners, and mixers.
WORK CONDITIONS
- Exposure to various weather conditions, including extreme heat, sunlight, cold, rain, snow, and wind.
- Regular work on weekends and holidays with irregular work hours sometimes required.
- Exposure to hazards such as wildlife, waste, equipment, loud noises, chemicals, and heights.
- Potential exposure to allergens (dust, animal dander, pollen, etc.), pathogens, and injuries from animals.
- Periodic work in small, enclosed areas.
- We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations
- EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
Salary
- 16.00/hour
