Senior Keeper

Woodbridge Aquarium & Wildlife Center
$24/hour + Bi-Weekly & Monthly Bonus Opportunities.

Why This Role Matters:

At Woodbridge Aquarium & Wildlife Center, our animal care team is at the heart of everything we do. As a Senior Animal Keeper , you won’t just be maintaining standards, you’ll be helping set them.

This role is perfect for someone who loves being hands-on with animals but is also ready to step into leadership, mentor others, and influence the bigger picture of animal care, habitat quality, and operational excellence.

If you’re ready to grow into a leadership role while still doing the work you love, this is that opportunity.

What You’ll Love About This Role:

• Competitive pay at $24/hour.
• Bi-weekly and monthly bonus opportunities.
• A well-rounded role (not siloed-you’ll touch multiple areas of animal care).
• The chance to mentor and develop other keepers.
• A collaborative environment where your voice matters.

What You’ll Do:

Deliver High-Level Animal Care:

• Support and oversee daily care for a diverse collection of aquatic and terrestrial species.
• Monitor behavior, health, and welfare, and communicate proactively with leadership and veterinary teams.
• Assist with medical procedures, treatments, and quarantine care..

Own Environmental Quality:

• Monitor and maintain key habitat parameters (water quality, temperature, humidity, etc.).
• Identify and troubleshoot issues before they impact animal welfare.
• Ensure habitats consistently meet species-specific and regulatory standards.

Support Life Support Systems & Facilities:

• Assist with oversight of filtration, plumbing, HVAC, and other life support systems.
• Conduct inspections and preventative maintenance checks.
• Partner with facilities and leadership to resolve issues and improve systems.

Support Nutrition & Animal Wellness:

• Assist with feeding programs, diet prep, and intake tracking.
• Ensure accuracy in documentation and consistency in care.
• Collaborate on dietary adjustments and wellness plans.

Step Into Leadership:

• Mentor and support Animal Keepers across all experience levels.
• Help train new hires and reinforce best practices.
• Lead by example in professionalism, teamwork, and accountability.

Collaborate Across Teams:

• Work closely with curators, veterinary staff, facilities, and national husbandry partners.
• Contribute to discussions around animal welfare, exhibits, and operations.
• Support reporting and continuous improvement efforts.

What We’re Looking For:

Experience & Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (or equivalent hands-on experience).
• 3+ years in a zoo, aquarium, or similar animal care setting.
• Strong experience with animal husbandry (aquatic, terrestrial, or both).

Skills That Set You Apart:

• Working knowledge of environmental quality and life support systems.
• A team-first leadership mindset-someone who mentors.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to stay calm, organized, and proactive in a fast-paced environment..

Bonus Points If You Have:

• Experience across multiple areas (aquatics, wildlife, LSS, environmental quality).
• Familiarity with USDA or similar standards.
• SCUBA certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience supporting exhibit builds or habitat upgrades.

What to Expect Physically:

• Active, hands-on work (lifting up to 50 lbs, standing, bending, animal handling).
• Flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hours needs.