Animal Care Associate - Birds (Part-Time Temporary)

About the Role

ZooTampa is seeking a part-time temporary Animal Care Associate to join our Birds team. The Bird department houses over 175 birds covering approximately 55 species, including Rainbow Lorikeets, the African Penguin, the Great Indian Hornbill, and the Shoebill.

Responsibilities

• Daily care and feeding of assigned animals
• Maintenance of animal exhibits and night-houses
• Behavioral observations and record keeping
• Animal enrichment and training
• Assisting veterinary staff
• Public presentations and guest engagement at exhibits, conservation stations, keeper talks, training demonstrations, and shows
• Inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining both exhibit and off-exhibit areas
• Assisting in procedures such as translocations, veterinary procedures, and crating
• Demonstrating critical thinking skills to maintain, train, and troubleshoot complex animal behavior
• Proposing and performing species-specific enrichment
• Basic capture, restraint, shifting, and handling techniques
• Observation and record-taking of behaviors to monitor animal health, focusing on appetite, mobility, and waste production

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); AA degree or higher preferred
• Three or more years of paid keeper experience in an AZA-accredited institution
• Knowledge of husbandry requirements, prevention of zoonotic diseases, and basic nutrition requirements for assigned areas
• Ability to apply animal training through operant and classical conditioning
• SCUBA certification preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), radio, and telephone
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Self-motivation, positive attitude, adaptability, and flexibility to multi-task
• Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with employees, peers, superiors, and guests
• Ability to respond quickly during animal emergencies and maintain discretion with confidential information
• Ability to follow specific instructions and be comfortable self-directing
• Ability to think ahead logically, plan, identify, and correct operational problems quickly
• Physical ability to work sitting, bending, standing, walking, and lifting up to 50 pounds in typical Florida weather
• Ability to work long hours including nights, weekends, and special events
• Compliance with AZA standards and guidelines, all relevant laws and regulations, safety standards, and standards that ensure animal welfare

About ZooTampa

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is one of the most popular zoos in the southeastern U.S., with over 1.2 million visitors annually. The zoo encompasses 56 acres of naturalistic wildlife habitats in a lush, tropical garden setting. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), ZooTampa offers educational programming, recreational amenities, up-close animal encounters, and engaging seasonal events. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and care for animals while creating exceptional personalized experiences that connect people with wildlife. Our vision is to motivate everyone we touch to take action in protecting and preserving wildlife.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Forgiveness
• Discounted gym membership
• Free admission to the Zoo, MOSI, and the Florida Aquarium
• Free or discounted admission to many attractions in Florida