Senior Zookeeper - Herpetology

Minimum starting salary: $23.00 per hour

About the role

Under basic supervision, serves as a lead keeper within the assigned area. This position will assist in overseeing day-to-day operations and will play a primary role in employee training and development. The Senior Zookeeper acts as a liaison between the team and leadership, helping to assure adherence to policies and procedures while developing supervisory skills.

Responsibilities

• Provides daily care, husbandry, nutrition, enrichment, training, and behavioral observation for assigned animals; monitors health and reports concerns.
• Maintains animal exhibits and holding areas; prepares and distributes diets, supplements, and medications; maintains animal care records.
• Assists with veterinary procedures and serves as a liaison between veterinary staff, leadership, and the zookeeper team.
• Assists with training and mentoring new employees; provides guidance on animal handling, restraint techniques, and safety practices.
• Exercises sound judgment in animal care, emergencies, and daily operations, particularly in the manager's absence.
• Recommends and implements improvements to animal husbandry, diets, habitat design, enrichment, and welfare.
• Presents educational programs and animal demonstrations; promotes wildlife conservation and the Zoo's mission through guest interactions and community outreach.
• Follows and responds to emergency procedures and all applicable safety protocols.
• Operates City vehicles to safely transport animals (locally and long distance), pick up supplies, and move equipment to and from service locations in support of daily operations.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Waco and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with residents, visitors, and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
• Lives the City of Waco Values.

Requirements

• Associate’s Degree in Zoology, Biological Sciences, or a related field
• 3 years of animal care work experience
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Valid Texas Driver’s License

Skills

• Experience in the husbandry of a variety of reptiles including Galapagos tortoises, Komodo dragons, Australian geckos, and over 30 species of venomous snakes including King cobras and mambas, as well as amphibians
• Display maintenance, behavior observation, record keeping, nutrition, diet preparation, feeding techniques, and disinfection procedures