Application Deadline: 22 February 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.
- Do you have experience with Primates?
- We’re seeking a full-time Mammal Care Specialist, to join our dedicated animal care team in the Primate Forest area.
- This role is essential in supporting our strategic plan by exceeding modern animal care regulations and ensuring the highest standards of animal wellbeing in the assigned areas.
- In this role, you will gain hands-on experience with rare and diverse species and have opportunities in specialized animal care.
- This is an opportunity to grow your expertise while supporting our high standards of animal wellbeing, working with primates that includes bonobos, gorillas, mandrills, colobus monkeys, and a variety of lemur species.
- Join us in making a difference for these incredible animals, ensuring their health, happiness, and thriving futures.
What You'll Do:
Animal Care:
- Monitor, inspect, feed, clean, and make minor repairs to animal enclosures.
- Observe/record.
- Maintain daily records.
Guest Interactions:
- Enhance guest experience through engaging and educational interactions.
Safety and Security:
- Comply with safety policies and protocols to prioritize human and animal safety.
What You Bring:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to work (3) full days (7am-5:30pm) and (2) half days (7am-12:45pm) weekly, that may include a Saturday or Sunday.
- Willingness to work a schedule that may include weekends and holidays, with flexibility for occasional night shifts, events, or disaster recovery efforts.
- Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including working in Florida weather, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Experience
Mammal Care Specialist I:
- Six (6) months of full-time equivalent (960 hours) experience in relevant paid or unpaid internships, coursework, or volunteer experience involving the care, husbandry, or management of wildlife in a professionally managed setting (such as a zoo, aquarium, sanctuary, or wildlife rehabilitation facility).
Mammal Care Specialist II:
- Two (2) years of full-time equivalent experience in relevant paid experience involving the care, husbandry, or management of wildlife in a professionally managed setting (such as a zoo, aquarium, sanctuary, or wildlife rehabilitation facility).
Senior Mammal Care Specialist:
- Five (5) years of full-time equivalent experience in relevant paid experience involving the care, husbandry, or management of wildlife in a professionally managed setting (such as a zoo, aquarium, sanctuary, or wildlife rehabilitation facility).
- Strong foundation in animal care, including husbandry, behavioral observation, enrichment, recordkeeping, and animal introductions.
- Demonstrated excellent safety record and ability to adhere to established protocols.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills for team collaboration and guest engagement.
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:
- 5 Panel drug screening
- Non-DOT physical examination
- Criminal Background check
- Proof of a current negative tuberculosis (TB) test.
- Documentation of required vaccinations, including rabies vaccination or titer.
- A Plus...
- Associate degree or coursework in related fields (e.g., biology, animal science, zoology) is encouraged as a foundation for growth.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related life science and/or advanced degrees, certifications, or specialized training in mammal care or wildlife management.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to remain standing for extended periods.
- Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium.
- Hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for grasping, turning, and manipulating objects of varying size and weight.
- Ability to lift, carry, and move objects up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to walk, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, and reach.
- Visual acuity for reading, writing, and observing surroundings, and auditory acuity for communication.
- Ability to operate motorized carts, trucks, and power tools.
- Ability to perform physically demanding tasks and work in varying environmental conditions.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
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
- Hourly Range between $17.30-$21.31
