Entry Level Zoo Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $49,024.68 - $59,589.84 Annually
Location : City of Atascadero, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: ZKI 2026
Department: Community Services & Promotions - Central Coast Zoo
Opening Date: 07/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/10/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
The City of Atascadero is excited to announce the opening of recruitment for the position of a
ZOOKEEPER I
If you're interested in joining our Central Coast Zoo team, we encourage you to apply today!
ABOUT THE ZOO:
The Central Coast Zoo is a small, 5-acre AZA accredited zoological facility managed by the City of Atascadero, which is a beautiful California central coast community located in San Luis Obispo County. We have a population of 30,000 residing in an area just under 27 square miles. Our community is a great place to live, work and raise a family! We are situated along Highway 101, halfway between the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The community is located in the Paso Robles wine region and is a short 20-minute drive to the beach and Highway 1. We are within a three-hour drive to Yosemite National Park and two hours to Monterey or Carmel. For those that enjoy the outdoors, we are close to four local lakes, a national forest and endless hiking and biking trails.
GENERAL PURPOSE:
To perform routine animal husbandry work in support of the activities and operations of Central Coast Zoo; to include but not limited to cleaning, feeding, and daily maintenance of zoo animals. Positions in this classification may be assigned to all areas of the zoo, may be assigned to perform work at the zoo or other city functions or events, and/or may be assigned to a specific section. This job class functions at an entry-level of classification. As knowledge, background, and skills increase, promotion to the next higher classification may be reasonably expected.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under direct supervision of the Zoo Supervisor, within a framework of well-defined policies and procedures.
Examples of Duties
Performs a variety of facility and exhibit maintenance tasks to include feeding, cleaning of exhibits, performing routine animal husbandry, and other keeper maintenance duties.

• Assists staff in animal care and restraint.
• Assists Curator of Education with animal presentations to groups.
• Maintains assigned areas, facilities, and equipment in clean and orderly condition.
• May operate small-to-medium sized automotive or specialized equipment related to assignment.
• Assists in more complex and specialized maintenance of exhibit and off-exhibit areas appropriate to assignment.
• Learns the operation of large and specialized equipment as assigned.
• Assists in maintaining animal records related to duties performed.
• Assists staff in behavioral enrichment of animal collection.
• Assists staff and veterinarian with medical procedures.
• Prepares animal diets.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function, as required.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

• Helps maintain zoo grounds, sets up and supports special events.
• Locks and unlocks doors and gates to ensure security of zoo buildings, grounds and related areas.
• Interacts with zoo visitors on educational or Zoo issues.

Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• Graduation from a standard senior high school or GED equivalent, and one year paid experience, or training and/or education to demonstrate abilities essential to the performance of the position.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Possess good public relations and customer service skills.
• Some knowledge of animals, facilities, materials, methods and procedures used in exhibit and zoo grounds maintenance, construction and repair activities.
• Ability to read, write and maintain zoo records at a level sufficient to successfully perform required duties.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to safely and effectively operate and/or learn to operate automotive and/or specialized equipment as assigned; learn zoo keeping, animal husbandry, and zoo maintenance techniques; practices, procedures, and techniques pertaining to assigned area.
• Skill in the operation of some of the listed tools and equipment.
• Ability to perform heavy manual tasks for extended periods of time; ability to work safely; ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments and the public; ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather; ability to lift at least fifty (50) pounds.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays, as well as relief coverage.

Supplemental Information
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of valid and appropriate California driver license and a satisfactory driving record.
• Possess excellent customer service skills using tact, judgment and discretion and have a flexible, approachable, friendly demeanor.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Cleaning and hand tools, motorized vehicles and equipment, including pickup truck, utility truck, pumps, shovels, wrenches, mobile radio, phone, and computer.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of Zookeeper I, the employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representatives of those a Zoo employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles. The employee will be working with or near potentially dangerous animals. The noise level in the work environment is occasionally moderate-to-loud in the field.
SELECTION GUIDELINES:
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests might be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job.
Working together to Serve, Build Community, and Enhance Quality of Life
VACATION: 10 days per year, gradually increasing to 24 after 20 years completed.
HOLIDAYS: 11 days per year, plus one floating holiday.
SICK LEAVE: 12 days per year.
HEALTH & LIFE: Employee is covered for medical, dental, vision and life. The City contributes a portion of the cost of dependent coverage for medical, dental vision and life insurance.
RETIREMENT: California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). No FICA deductions.
DISABILITY INS: SDI - Employee paid.