Senior Animal Keeper

Job Summary:

The Senior Animal Keeper is a leadership-level role responsible for supporting the overall health, welfare, and environmental integrity of both aquatic and terrestrial animal collections. This position blends advanced animal husbandry, environmental quality oversight, life support systems coordination, and team leadership. The Senior Animal Keeper works collaboratively with curators, veterinary teams, national husbandry partners, and facilities staff to ensure exhibits, habitats, and animal care programs meet the highest professional and regulatory standards.

This role is intended to be a broad, well-rounded senior keeper position rather than a specialized technical track, with an emphasis on mentorship, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

Animal Care & Welfare:

• Oversee and support daily animal care for aquatic and terrestrial species, ensuring adherence to facility SOPs and best practices.
• Monitor animal behavior, health, and overall condition; promptly communicate concerns to curators, veterinary staff, and national husbandry teams.
• Assist with medical procedures, treatments, and examinations under veterinary direction.
• Support quarantine procedures for new or ill animals, including enhanced monitoring and recordkeeping.

Environmental Quality & Habitat Management:

• Oversee routine monitoring of environmental parameters including water quality, temperature, humidity, air quality, and substrate conditions.
• Ensure habitats meet species-specific environmental requirements and regulatory standards.
• Troubleshoot environmental or parameter deviations and coordinate corrective actions with relevant teams.
• Maintain accurate records of environmental readings and habitat conditions.

Life Support Systems & Facilities Coordination:

• Support the oversight of life support systems (filtration, plumbing, mechanical systems, HVAC, temperature and humidity regulation).
• Conduct regular inspections and preventative maintenance checks in alignment with SOPs.
• Coordinate with facilities, curators, and environmental staff to address system malfunctions, repairs, or upgrades.
• Assist in planning and implementation of new exhibits or habitat modifications from an animal-care perspective.

Nutrition & Wellness Support:

• Support species-appropriate feeding programs and dietary plans in collaboration with curators, veterinarians, and national husbandry teams.
• Oversee food preparation, distribution, intake monitoring, and inventory support as assigned.
• Ensure accurate documentation of diets, supplements, and feeding changes.

Team Leadership & Training:

• Assist curators in supervising, mentoring, and training Animal Keepers across functional areas.
• Model professional standards of animal care, safety, and teamwork.
• Support onboarding and ongoing skill development for keepers at various training levels.
• Help ensure compliance with safety protocols, SOPs, and regulatory requirements.

Collaboration, Reporting & Professional Engagement:

• Collaborate closely with veterinary teams, national husbandry partners, facilities staff, and other Senior Keepers.
• Participate in meetings related to animal welfare, environmental quality, and operational planning.
• Prepare and contribute to reports on animal health, environmental conditions, and operational issues.
• Represent the facility professionally and support a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Compliance & Safety:

• Ensure all animal care and habitat management practices comply with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., USDA, Fish & Wildlife, ZAA standards where applicable).
• Maintain a safe working environment for staff, animals, and guests.
• Enforce adherence to facility SOPs and safety protocols.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine Biology, Animal Science, Environmental Science, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a zoo, aquarium, or similar animal care facility.
• Demonstrated experience with advanced animal husbandry for aquatic and/or terrestrial species.
• Working knowledge of environmental monitoring, water quality management, and life support systems.
• Proven leadership or mentorship experience.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in varied indoor and outdoor conditions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working across multiple husbandry disciplines (aquatics, wildlife, environmental quality, or LSS).
• Familiarity with USDA or similar professional standards.
• SCUBA certification or willingness to obtain (where applicable).
• Experience assisting with exhibit design or habitat upgrades.

Working Conditions:

• Physically demanding role involving standing, walking, lifting, and animal handling.
• Weekend, holiday, or after-hours work may be required for operational needs or emergencies.