Float Keeper A or B, Children's Zoo

Full-time position; hiring up to 3 staff; subject to a collective bargaining agreement; application deadline October 5, 2026.

About the role

Animal Keepers play a vital role on the ACCR team, taking care of the physical health and psychological well-being of the animals directly under their care. The Float Animal Keeper works across several different animal strings and has the opportunity to care for a variety of species, including lemurs, bats, otters, goats, sheep, cats, pigs, rabbits, alligators, tortoises, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and ambassador animals. Work ranges from the physical tasks associated with feeding and maintenance of living areas to more analytical tasks of planning, record keeping, and communication. The section also includes two support strings: commissary and night keeper. Commissary Keepers are responsible for prepping the majority of the zoo’s animal diets, maintaining diet records, ordering, and supply management. The Night Keeper duties include some commissary support, some diet prep, observation, feeding, and shifting animals throughout the zoo after the day shift leaves. The Night Keeper typically works alone in their duties. This position is trained to cover the animal areas and support roles (commissary and night keeper) in the section. This position may require some night keeper shifts. Night Keeper shifts are typically 12:30 pm – 9 pm but will change over the course of the year to as late as 2:30 pm – 11 pm. This role will cover strings in the absence of the primary Animal Keeper(s) and will assist the primary keeper with duties and special projects as needed.

Responsibilities

• Use the tools of animal observation, enrichment, training and other management methods to ensure the best possible psychological well-being of the animals in their care
• Conduct ongoing assessment of their physical and psycho‑social needs
• Design and implement steps to address these needs
• Implement Department/Zoo priorities as well as demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements
• Guide and support junior staff and volunteers as appropriate
• Represent the Zoo in a variety of public settings including press interviews, instructional classes and casual communication with Zoo guests
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned

Requirements

• Minimum of 1 year full‑time or 2080 hours experience in the care of captive wildlife in the zoo field (preferably at an AZA or GFAS facility); this can include unpaid experience
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record