Primary Senior Animal Keeper - Children's Zoo

This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement.

*We are hiring a keeper for the Children's Zoo at either the Keeper or Senior Keeper level, depending upon experience. We have posted both roles separately at this time to help our candidates find the position that most aligns with their experience and goals. However, only one position will be filled. Please note: If you apply for the Keeper or the Senior Keeper, you will be automatically considered for both.*

Pay Rate: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the payrate for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $31.33 per hour. An offer at this payrate will be our best and final compensation offer.

• Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references
• Candidates not meeting minimum requirements may not receive a response
• Applicants selected for candidacy are required to attend an on-site working interview

A Senior Animal Keeper must be an experienced keeper with extensive knowledge in the areas of animal care/management and supervision of paid staff and unpaid volunteers/interns, including team building, leadership training, and conflict management. This Senior Keeper position is a Primary Keeper role with the Oakland Zoo’s Children's Zoo. Animals in this diverse section include lemurs, bats, otters, goats, sheep, cats, pigs, and rabbits. They work with the same group of animals (string) 5 days a week. They work closely with the string’s Supervising Primary Keeper and support them as needed in the daily operation and needs of the string’s animals and facilities.

Oakland Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package, including Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Flexible spending account, Union pension, Paid time off, Employee Assistance Program, and a Family Zoo Membership.

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• 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
• Interact with the public
• 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
• Act as a department leader. Can be expected to cover department functions and emergency response coordination in the absence of Zoological Manager or Department Vice President 

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• Minimum of five years full time experience in the care of captive wildlife in the zoo field (preferably at an AZA or GFAS facility).
• Bachelor’s degree or specialized associate's degree (ex. Moorpark) or 6 years of experience at an AZA facility or equivalent
• Experience in the areas of animal care/management
• Experience with supervision of paid staff and unpaid volunteers/interns, including leadership training/conflict management
• Have or develop significant level of knowledge of the natural history and captive wildlife management for the animals under their care to insure their best possible physical and psychological well-being
• Able to use the tools of animal observation, enrichment, training, and other behavioral husbandry methods to ensure the best possible psychological well-being of the animals in their care
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays
• Knowledge of the habits and hazards of working with wild animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while observing proper safety precautions
• Able to represent the Zoo in a variety of public settings including press interviews, instructional classes, and casual communication with Zoo guests
• Medical requirements:
  • COVID vaccination-required by Oakland Zoo
  • Negative TB test within the last year
  • Tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years

Bonus if you have…

• Significant knowledge and experience in behavioral training theory and practical application
• Ability to inspire guests in casual (e.g., one on one) and formal (i.e., programs) venues to take action for conservation
• Experience mentoring and teaching novice staff, interns, or volunteers
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to support communication across a diversely skilled team

• Collaboration – builds trusting relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across our organization and community-wide and approaches differences of opinion with curiosity and humility
• Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing
• Inclusive Culture - fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued
• Organization – strong attention to details and able to build and/or maintain efficient systems
• Time management – strong capabilities with a demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple commitments
• Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of the Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department
• Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values at all times
• Wildlife Aware - understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at The Zoo, locally and globally. This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to take action for wildlife

Physical Considerations- The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. (i.e., feed sack) and move a minimum of 120 lbs. (i.e., hay bale)
• Able to walk long distances on uneven terrain in variable environmental conditions (e.g., steep, muddy, etc.)