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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zookeeper Assistant

💰 $ - $

Animal CareZoologyWildlife ConservationEducation

🎯 Role Definition

The Zookeeper Assistant is responsible for executing routine and specialized animal husbandry tasks, maintaining clean and safe enclosures, assisting with medical treatment and behavioral training, and supporting public-facing programs. This role works closely with senior keepers, curators, and veterinary staff to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare, regulatory compliance, and visitor engagement. Candidates should be prepared for physical labor, outdoor work in varied weather, and flexible scheduling including weekends and holidays.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Volunteer animal caregiver or intern at a zoo or wildlife center
  • Animal shelter or rescue technician
  • Veterinary assistant or veterinary technician trainee

Advancement To:

  • Zookeeper (Keeper II) / Senior Keeper
  • Lead Keeper / Exhibit Supervisor
  • Animal Care Manager or Curator of Animals
  • Wildlife Rehabilitator or Field Biologist

Lateral Moves:

  • Education & Outreach Specialist (public programs)
  • Veterinary Technician (with additional certification)
  • Facilities or Exhibit Maintenance Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Provide daily care for assigned collection animals including feeding, preparing diets (measured portions, supplemented diets, and species-specific nutrition), monitoring intake, and documenting consumption in animal records and databases such as ZIMS or institutional recordkeeping systems.
  • Clean, sanitize, and maintain indoor and outdoor enclosures, night houses, nest boxes, and holding areas to meet biosecurity, animal welfare, and health regulations; ensure waste is disposed of according to hazardous materials and pathogen controls.
  • Perform routine health observations and behavioral monitoring for early detection of illness or distress; record observations accurately, escalate concerns to senior keepers and veterinary staff, and participate in follow-up care plans.
  • Assist veterinarians during medical procedures including restraint, anesthesia monitoring, sample collection (blood, feces, swabs), medication administration (oral, topical, injections), and post-procedure recovery and documentation.
  • Implement and document positive reinforcement behavioral training programs to facilitate voluntary care, cooperative medical procedures, and enrichment participation; design simple training sessions under guidance and log progress in training records.
  • Prepare, deliver, and rotate environmental and cognitive enrichment items tailored to species-specific behavioral needs; evaluate enrichment efficacy and update enrichment plans to promote natural behaviors and mental stimulation.
  • Operate, maintain, and perform preventative maintenance on keeper tools and equipment (pressure washers, power washers, feed machines, small tractors, skid steers) safely and in accordance with institution policies; report malfunctions to facilities staff.
  • Construct, repair, and modify exhibit structures, fencing, platforms, and perches using basic carpentry, welding, and fabrication skills while following safety procedures and structural requirements.
  • Prepare animal transports and transfers: secure animals, maintain chain-of-custody and permit documentation, assist with loading/unloading, and follow animal welfare and transport regulations including permits and temperature controls.
  • Participate in daily and weekly inventory management for feed, medications, enrichment supplies, and PPE; request reorders, track expiration dates, and maintain accurate stock records.
  • Enforce and model biosecurity, quarantine, and containment protocols including cleaning procedures, PPE use, footbaths, and restricted access zones to prevent disease transmission between animals, staff, and visitors.
  • Conduct public-facing duties such as guided talks, keeper chats, educational demonstrations, and supervised behind-the-scenes tours to explain animal care, conservation messages, and safety rules; engage visitors in positive and accurate interpretation of species natural history and husbandry.
  • Support exhibit husbandry planning by providing input on exhibit design, substrate selection, plantings, microclimate features, and rotation schedules to better meet species-specific welfare needs.
  • Assist in behavioral and scientific data collection for enrichment, husbandry trials, breeding programs, and conservation research; ensure data integrity, follow protocols, and contribute to reporting and analysis.
  • Implement emergency and contingency response plans including evacuation, natural disaster preparedness, aggressive animal incidents, and animal escapes; assist with emergency capture tools, sedation protocols, and incident documentation.
  • Mentor and supervise volunteers, interns, and seasonal staff assigned to the area; provide on-the-job training for safe animal handling, cleaning procedures, and enrichment preparation while maintaining morale and team cohesion.
  • Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations relevant to captive wildlife (USDA, AZA standards, state wildlife permits); assist with inspections by preparing required records and exhibits.
  • Participate in breeding program logistics: monitoring reproductive cycles, preparing breeding introductions, assisting with nest box management, and documenting outcomes for studbook coordinators or population managers.
  • Conduct basic necropsy assistance and sample handling under veterinary direction, label and package specimens properly for diagnostic labs, and maintain chain-of-custody records.
  • Perform routine groundskeeping, horticulture, and landscape maintenance in exhibit areas to preserve naturalistic enclosures and minimize hazards to animals and staff.
  • Maintain accurate daily logs, health records, medication logs, training notes, and incident reports; utilize zoo management software and spreadsheets to contribute to longitudinal records for individual animals and groups.
  • Assist with outreach initiatives, educational programming, social media content capture (photo/video of enrichment or training), and internal communications that highlight animal care practices and conservation impact.

Secondary Functions

  • Support collection-wide projects such as animal introductions, exhibit renovations, and offsite conservation fieldwork by coordinating supplies, transport logistics, and staff schedules.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by suggesting procedural updates, ergonomic solutions, and enrichment innovations based on daily observations and species expertise.
  • Aid in grant-supported conservation or research projects by providing husbandry data, species-specific knowledge, and logistical support for field teams or partner institutions.
  • Participate in cross-departmental meetings with veterinary, curatorial, education, and facilities teams to align on animal care goals, exhibit timelines, and public programming.
  • Assist with basic administrative tasks such as scheduling, timesheet verification for volunteers, and maintaining training and certification records for the animal care team.
  • Support public safety and visitor experience efforts by monitoring guest behavior near exhibits, reporting safety hazards, and assisting with crowd control during special events.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Strong animal husbandry and species-specific care (feeding, grooming, nesting, brood management) across mammals, birds, reptiles, or aquatic species depending on assignment.
  • Proficiency with animal health monitoring and basic medical procedures: administering medications (oral, topical, injectable under supervision), temperature checks, sample collection, wound care, and post-op monitoring.
  • Positive reinforcement behavioral training techniques and the ability to design simple husbandry and medical training sessions that reduce stress and promote voluntary cooperation.
  • Experience with recordkeeping systems and databases (e.g., ZIMS, MedARKS, or institutional animal records) and competency with Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for data entry and reporting.
  • Enclosure maintenance and exhibit carpentry skills including basic plumbing, electrical awareness, welding or metal fabrication, and safe operation of small equipment (tractors, skid steers, mowers).
  • Biosecurity, quarantine procedures, and knowledge of zoonotic disease prevention and PPE protocols.
  • Safe animal restraint, capture, and transport techniques, including the use of catch poles, nets, crates, and proper securing methods for overland transport.
  • Knowledge of nutritional formulation and diet preparation including handling frozen fish, supplements, and specialized diets for neonates, geriatric, or medically compromised animals.
  • Emergency response capabilities: animal evacuation, triage, and familiarity with institutional emergency plans and incident reporting procedures.
  • Permit and regulatory compliance awareness related to federal and state wildlife laws, USDA standards, and AZA accreditation expectations where applicable.

Soft Skills

  • Strong observational skills and attention to detail to detect subtle behavioral or health changes and to maintain precise records.
  • Excellent communication and public speaking skills for delivering educational talks, interacting with guests, and coordinating with cross-functional teams.
  • Collaborative team player with the ability to give and receive feedback, mentor interns, and work under the direction of senior keepers and veterinarians.
  • Physical stamina, adaptability, and resilience to perform prolonged standing, lifting (up to institutional limits), bending, and outdoor work in all weather conditions.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to prioritize tasks during high-demand periods and respond calmly to unexpected animal or facility incidents.
  • Time management and organizational skills to balance daily husbandry routines, cleaning schedules, enrichment programs, and administrative duties.
  • Commitment to animal welfare, ethical stewardship, and conservation messaging when engaging with the public or partners.
  • Cultural sensitivity and professionalism when representing the institution to diverse visitor populations, donors, and regulatory officials.
  • Initiative and continuous learning attitude to stay current with best practices in animal care, enrichment science, and conservation husbandry.
  • Dependability, integrity, and strong work ethic with punctuality and adherence to safety and institutional policies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED with documented experience in animal care (volunteer, internship, or paid position).

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Animal Science, Biology, Wildlife Conservation, Veterinary Technology, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Zoology
  • Animal Science
  • Biology
  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Veterinary Technology
  • Ecology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • Entry to mid-level: 0–3 years of hands-on animal care experience (volunteer/internship experience may substitute for professional roles).

Preferred:

  • 2+ years working in a zoo, aquarium, wildlife rehabilitation center, farm animal facility, or similar accredited animal care environment with demonstrated experience in husbandry, enrichment, and basic medical support.
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