Animal Conservationist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Lead Wildlife Specialist
Department: Wildlife
Reports To: Animal Collections Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Effective Date: September 2025
White Oak conserves and sustains some of the earth's rarest wild animals through innovative training, research, education, and conservation breeding programs that contribute to the survival of wildlife in nature. The conservation programs span 600 acres along the St. Mary's River in northeast Florida, surrounded by 22,000 acres of mixed forest and wetlands that make up the beautiful White Oak property. Founded in 1982, White Oak leads professional efforts to improve veterinary care, develop holistic animal management techniques, and better understand the biology of critically endangered species by providing excellent care and managing conservation programs for over 30 species of imperiled wildlife in large, naturalistic habitats.
White Oak Mission:
Saving endangered wildlife and habitats through sustainable populations, expanding education initiatives, and responsible land stewardship.
Job Summary:
The Lead Wildlife Specialist functions as the hands-on leader of animal husbandry, delivering exceptional and safe care to advance White Oak's conservation programs. This position oversees and leads the care of White Oak animals. The Lead Wildlife Specialist works with the collections manager and veterinary team to implement best practices and achieve the goals of the assigned animal team. This position contributes directly to the White Oak Conservation mission by supporting animal husbandry programs.
Essential Duties:
o Oversees and leads the daily care of the animals in designated area, to include feeding, cleaning, medicating, handling, and record keeping activities.
o Oversees and leads hand rearing, animal transfers, introductions, operant conditioning, and area research projects.
o Coordinates with veterinary team to conduct animal care procedures and medical treatments.
o Completes requisitions and purchase requests for all supplies and animal feed needed in designated area.
o Oversees, leads, and performs animal care facilities maintenance duties, including mowing, weed-eating, pressure washing, dirt and substrate work, gate adjustments, lock lubrication, limb pick up, and other repairs.
o Conducts prep work, obtains permits, and assists with physical transport of animals.
o Oversees and leads team cleanliness and organization of work and break areas, food storage, food prep, vehicles, and equipment.
o Maintains records and reports related to the assigned animal collection.
o Participates with research project reviews and approved project implementation.
o Assists Collection Managers in creating protocols, transfer plans, and other preparations.
o Assists Collection Managers with design and implementation of animal management and conservation breeding plans.
o Oversees and leads animal welfare assessment program for the area animals.
o Participates in the design of habitats and animal care facilities.
o Works with Support Services team and serves as liaison with contractors, as needed.
o Conducts routine meetings with individual staff members and the team.
o Participates in the recruitment and hiring of new personnel for assigned area.
o Informs and participates in employee evaluations with Collection Managers.
o Oversees and leads the highest level of safety in the workplace through staff training and implementation of safety protocols and procedures.
o Participates in the emergency response.
o Operates heavy equipment (skid steer, backhoe, tractor, chainsaw, etc.) to perform grounds/facility maintenance.
o Oversees and leads area intern training including animal husbandry and management, record keeping, research, conservation, and education projects.
o Oversees, facilitates, and participates in high level guest experiences in the assigned animal area.
The above cited duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to the job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that an incumbent may be expected or asked to perform.
Education and Work Experience Requirements:
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of five years of related wildlife animal care experience in a zoo or animal sanctuary.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in an AZA accredited/certified facility preferred.
• Experience working with wildlife animals in large acreage habitats is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with veterinarians and a working knowledge of common medical procedures.
• Experience with animal management plans, policies and tools, animal escape and recapture, and collection planning.
• Experience with diverse large animal management techniques including hands-on animal restraint, chemical restraint, and mechanical restraint.
• Ability to obtain Florida interstate transport permit as part of White Oak licensing and permitting.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
• Demonstrated technical and practical knowledge of the care and maintenance of wildlife animal habitats.
• Good leadership skills.
• Engagement and genuine alignment with the mission, values, and vision of White Oak.
• Personal interest in, and strong commitment to, conservation, animal care and animal health.
• Capacity to work effectively with, and collaborate across, multiple organizational teams.
• Ability to lead a small team.
• Self-motivated and self-directed.
• Excellent problem resolution skills.
• Outstanding communication and active listening skills.
• Motivational and encouraging.
• Capable and knowledgeable decision making, shows good judgement.
• Sets positive example, good conduct with safety, animal care, and communications.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• High attention to detail and superior quality of work.
• Superior organizational skills.
• Sensitive to individual differences and supportive of all team members.
• Resilient, show initiative, and demonstrate a healthy commitment to going above and beyond.
• Able to focus on team success and define success collaboratively versus individually.
• Able to work with colleagues in mind, be a good listener, and be willing to seek information and assistance when necessary.
Physical Requirements, Hazards, and Special Working Conditions:
• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects.
• Climb a 5-foot ladder.
• Work outdoors in all conditions, including frequent high temperature and humidity.
• Exposure to fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts and vehicles.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes evenings, weekends, and holidays as well as during unforeseen emergency situations.
White Oak Conservation is committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are welcome, and to nurturing a culture where everyone feels valued and appreciated. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law.