Entry Level Exotic Animal Trainer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $39,790.40 - $47,548.80 Annually
Location : Albuquerque, NM
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2601121
Department: Arts and Culture
Division: CS-BP Animal Ops
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
Bargaining Unit: BL
Position Summary
The Ambassador Animal Team at the ABQ BioPark is one of the most unique animal teams at the park! The successful Ambassador Animal Team candidate will be passionate about conservation and engaging the public during programming while also working with a variety of animals including: birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. As part of the Ambassador Animal Team, the preferred candidate will also collaborate with the Education Team and other animal teams from around the park on animal encounters, conservation education, and animal themed programming for special events.
Maintain and care for a variety of animals within the BioPark; assist curatorial and veterinary staff as needed and perform a variety of activities relative to the assigned area of responsibility.
These positions are part of the BioPark Training and Certification program.
This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.
Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements
Education directly related to the minimum requirements below may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
($19.13 - $20.09/hr)
High school diploma or GED; and
Two (2) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

• exotic animal husbandry
• zookeeping
• arthropod rearing

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.
Additional Requirements:
Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.
Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.
ZOOKEEPER II ($20.19-$21.20/hr)
High school diploma or GED; and
Three (3) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

• exotic animal husbandry
• zookeeping
• arthropod rearing

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.
Additional Requirements:
Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.
Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.
Must have completed Level 1 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or have 15 college level credit hours of college level work in biology, zoology, or animal science.
ZOOKEEPER III ($21.83-$22.86/hr)
High school diploma or GED, supplemented by thirty (30) credit hours of college level course work in zoology, biology, or animal science; and
Four (4) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

• exotic animal husbandry
• zookeeping
• arthropod rearing

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.
Additional Requirements:
Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.
Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.
Must have completed Level 2 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or 15 credit hours of college level course work in zoology, biology, or animal science.
Scuba certified or the ability to obtain a scuba certification within 1 year of hire for pertinent departments.
Working Conditions
Environmental:
Zoo environment; exposure, a variety of domestic and exotic animals, noise, animal body fluids, and inclement weather conditions; may work in or around water.
Physical:
Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing, walking, reaching, bending, squatting, kneeling, and climbing for prolonged periods of time; heavy, moderate or light lifting, pulling or pushing.
Total Rewards. Total You.
The City of Albuquerque takes pride in offering our employees one of the most attractive Total Rewards packages in New Mexico. In addition to competitive salaries, the City provides benefit options for health, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, disability, and much more. The City also has pre-tax savings plans for healthcare, childcare, and parking. Employees participate in the state's public retirement system (PERA), with the City paying up to 75 percent of the employee's contribution. That's higher than any other contribution rate in the state of New Mexico!
Paid holidays? Check
Paid parental leave? Check
Paid birthdays off? Check
Vacation and sick leave starting Day 1? Check and check
Our people matter and we prioritize physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. With resources such as onsite and mobile medical clinics, an employee assistance program that encourages work-life balance, and tuition assistance and professional development pathways, the City is committed to equipping our employees with tools to better their lives and grow their careers while serving their community.
01
Please identify your ability to possess a valid New Mexico driver's license (attach a copy of your driver's license). Select all that apply.

• Possess a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or have the ability to obtain by date of hire (attach a copy of your Driver's License)?
• Able to possess a valid New Mexico Driver's License within ninety (90) days from date of hire?
• Do not possess and not able to obtain a valid New Mexico Driver's License by date of hire or within ninety (90) days from date of hire.

02
Do you possess experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you possess a Level 1 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or have 15 college level credit hours of college level work in biology, zoology, or animal science?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you possess a Level 2 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or 15 credit hours of college level course work in zoology, biology, or animal science?

• Yes
• No

05
Select the highest level of successfully completed related education as identified by the minimum requirements (if applicable, attach supporting degree or transcripts).

• No High School Diploma
• High School Diploma or GED
• Non/degree accredited- Some College
• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Juris Doctorate
• Doctorate

06
Select the number of years of work experience you possess which relates to the minimum requirements, if applicable, add verifiable time in a temporary upgrade status and/or volunteer experience when selecting number of years.

• No experience
• 1 to less than 6 months
• 6 to less than 12 months
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years to less than 8 years
• 8 years to less than 9 years
• 9 years to less than 10 years
• 10 years to less than 11 years
• 11 years to less than 12 years
• 12 years to less than 13 years
• 13 or more years

Required Question