Reid Park Zoological Society seeks a seasoned, experienced Zoo Keeper skilled in high-level, complex training, including a well-developed training repertoire, to join our dynamic, diverse African Elephant Team! This is a positive reinforcement program that emphasizes choice and control for the elephants. The zoo has been a contributor to the African elephant SSP and currently is home to six elephants ranging in age from 18 months to 35 years old. RPZS is committed to African elephant conservation and is invested in continuing to contribute to AZA initiatives for the species.
- More than a job, it’s a purpose! We are a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to create inspiring memories for all by connecting people and animals to ensure the protection of wild animals and wild places.
- Your office is wild! Nestled within a lush, garden and parklike setting Reid Park Zoo is located in midtown Tucson, Arizona, the heartbeat of “The Old Pueblo”.
- Reid Park Zoo is an oasis in the desert, filled with mature landscape, large trees, an abundance of shade, and many native varieties of flora and fauna.
- The zoo is adjacent to a city golf course and park, both of the same name.
- Your ‘real office’ is in our state-of-the-art Health Center among the veterinary team and other animal care supervisors.
- Our city boasts stunning high-desert valley vistas surrounded by four mountain ranges offering a year-round paradise for cyclists, hikers, bird-watchers and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Named the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States, for its outstanding culinary heritage, sustainable food practices, and creative food culture.
- The City is a delight for foodies.
- Explore our thriving and cultural experiences, historic sites, and (yes!) wine country just thirty minutes away.
- With the University of Arizona, its championship sports, top-notch medical facilities, and affordable housing, Tucson is a great place to bring the family and put down roots – a big city, yet with a comfortable, small-town feel.
- With a mission centered in conservation, the Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participates in nearly 100 Species Survival Plans for threatened and endangered species.
- Reid Park Zoo maintains a state-of-the-art elephant program, a cutting-edge veterinary clinic that serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Arizona veterinary program, and is the co-leader of the Flamingo and Songbirds SAFE programs, to name a few recognitions.
- With 600,000 visits annually, the Zoo is in the midst of an exciting expansion project, Pathway to Asia, that will add four acres to its campus, bringing new species such as red panda, Komodo dragon and Lar gibbon, as well as a breeding facility for critically-endangered Malayan tigers when it opens in 2026.
Education and Experience Minimum Requirements:
- A minimum of an associate’s degree in a science-based field of study and three years’ paid elephant experience is required.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in a science-based field with one-year paid elephant experience.
- Paid AZA experience strongly preferred.
- Pay Range: $17.67 to $20.69 based on experience and education
Benefits:
- This is a fully benefited position, including group medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid holiday, vacation, and sick time; retirement plan; zoo membership; employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and discounts on concession and gift shop purchases.
- No phone calls or visits please.
- This position is open until filled.
- We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
- We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff by creating an inclusive environment.
You are:
- dependable, reliable, detail-oriented, committed to animal well-being, and have a passion for wild animals and wild places!
Reports To:
- Animal Care Supervisor
The Job is:
- Contributing to a team of nine to provide high quality care to a breeding herd of African elephants.
- You will progress through a comprehensive training trajectory beginning with program foundation and learning of the routine.
- After demonstrating competency, the you will progress to working directly with the elephants in a protected contact, positive reinforcement training system.
- Keepers on the team must provide high quality care for the animals through cleaning, high-level, complex training, enrichment, detailed record keeping, medical care, welfare tracking, and collaborative work alongside departments.
- The Keeper may work a variable shift to meet the needs of the animals and the team.
- Work assignments are subject to the hazards inherent in caring for wild animals in human care.
Essential Duties and Functions:
- Demonstrates and models the core values of the Reid Park Zoological Society (RPZS or the Zoo)
- Perform duties in accordance with RPZS policies and procedures
- Provides excellent customer and guest service as a component of all job duties
- Follows Zoo and department safety protocols and procedures
- Work collaboratively will all team members and others in the organization
- Provide daily husbandry including but not limited to: cleaning, training, diet preparation, and enrichment
- Under the direction of veterinary professionals, administer medications and/or treatments
- Able to communicate effectively and quickly with coworkers
- Able to follow verbal instructions for animal shifts, training sessions, and more responsively, timely, and accurately on a consistent, regular basis
- Select, train, and oversee area volunteers, interns, and docents
- Assist with training new team members
- Knowledge of browse programs and ability to learn plant ID required for feeding out browsable plant species to animals
- Knowledge of African elephant behavior and natural history and ability to interpret and communicate it to staff and engagingly with guests
- Timely report any abnormalities or discrepancies to zoo management
- Maintain existing behavioral repertoires and help build new behaviors in a protected contact setting
- Assist in full life care of a dynamic, social family herd including but not limited to: transports, neonate care, breeding, animal introductions, emergency response, and more
- Habitat maintenance including but not limited to heavy machinery operation, power tool use, plant care, and more
- Heavy machinery operation of zoo vehicles including but not limited to:
- trucks, skid steers, tractors, forklifts, excavators, and more
- Provide educational opportunities to zoo guests through public talks, tours, and programs requiring strong public speaking skills
- Maintain thorough, detailed records on training, diet, health status, enrichment, welfare, and more
- Emergency response preparedness for drills and true emergent situations
- Work cooperatively alongside other departments such as maintenance, grounds, education, administration, etc.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of RPZS and coworkers as well as diverse volunteers, guests, donors, community partners, vendors, and others
- Comply with all USDA, OSHA, AZA, and City of Tucson regulations
- Complete all trainings as required
- Be able to perform those tasks that are essential to the job, with or without reasonable accommodation
Minimum Qualifications:
- A minimum of an associate’s degree in a science-based field of study with three years’ paid elephant experience is required.
- Current, valid, unrestricted driver’s license
- Successful completion of a criminal history background check and pre-employment drug screen (non-THC) (company paid)
- Evidence of a negative TB test within the immediate past 12 months, or, complete a pre-hire TB test (company paid) and undergo annual renewals
- Most recent COVID-19 Booster
- Knowledge and skills in positive reinforcement operant conditioning training to achieve complex animal husbandry behaviors voluntarily
- Ability to work a flexible, sometimes variable schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, special events, and overnight shifts
- Able to lift at least 50 pounds regularly
- Able to stand and walk for prolonged periods on various terrains, including trails, paved and unpaved surfaces, and uneven ground
- Able to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, push/pull, crouch, climb ladders and reach areas of habitats and zoo grounds
- Regular and consistent physical attendance at work
- Ability to work effectively in and promote a team environment that emphasizes uplifting and supporting coworkers
- Ability to give and receive constructive feedback for program improvement
- Must be able to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to tactfully handle stressful situations, negotiate and resolve conflicts, maintain confidentiality and to respect and observe organizational protocol
- Possession of critical analysis, customer service, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision making, leadership, team building, time management, and motivational skills
Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in a science-based field with one-year paid elephant experience
- Paid AZA experience strongly preferred.
- Additional years paid experience working with elephants
- PEM I and/ or PEM II certification
- Knowledge of AZA regulations
- Participation in the AZA community
- Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.
- The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the HR Dept.
Experience Required
- A minimum of an associate’s degree in a science-based field of study with three years’ paid elephant experience is required.
Perks
- This is a fully benefited position, including group medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid holiday, vacation, and sick time; retirement plan; zoo membership; employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and discounts on concession and gift shop purchases
Salary
- $17.67 ‒ $20.69 Hourly
