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Full Time Zoo Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Saint Louis Zoo

Keeper, River's Edge

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

August 5, 2026 Position: Full-time River's Edge Keeper Organization: Saint Louis Zoo located in St. Louis, Missouri Directly Reports to: Zoological Manager/River's Edge and the Curator of Mammals ...

Zoological Society

Dive Safety Officer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$50K/yr

Curator and Assistant Curator FLSA Status: Purpose : Perform all dive related procedures ... Zoo's mission to the general public. Essential Job Functions : Collaborating with senior level ...

Peoria Park District

Animal Keeper

Peoria, IL

$20.96/hr

... Curator or Zoo Director; serve as the liaison with the veterinarian as needed. * Recommend ... One year of full-time experience in the care and maintenance of wild and/or domestic animals is ...

Peoria Park District

Animal Keeper

Peoria, IL · On-site

$20.96/hr

... Curator or Zoo Director; serve as the liaison with the veterinarian as needed. * Recommend ... One year of full-time experience in the care and maintenance of wild and/or domestic animals is ...

City of Garden City, KS

Registrar

Garden City, KS · On-site

$20.88 - $25.45/hr

Garden City, KS Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 00669 Department: Lee Richardson Zoo Division: Zoo ... Participates with administrative, curatorial and other staff in implementing and reviewing ...

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Full Time Zoo Curator information

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How much do full time zoo curator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time zoo curator in the United States is $72,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the responsibilities of a full time zoo curator?

A full time zoo curator oversees the care, management, and exhibition of animals within a zoo. Their responsibilities include developing animal care protocols, coordinating conservation and breeding programs, supervising animal keepers, and ensuring compliance with animal welfare regulations. Additionally, zoo curators often collaborate with researchers, manage educational programs, and help design exhibits to provide enriching environments for the animals. They play a crucial role in connecting the public with wildlife conservation efforts and advancing the mission of the zoo.

What are some common challenges faced by full time zoo curators and how can they be managed effectively?

Full Time Zoo Curators often encounter challenges such as balancing animal welfare with guest engagement, managing diverse teams, and staying current with regulatory requirements. To address these, curators must develop strong communication and leadership skills, foster collaboration among animal care staff, and maintain rigorous protocols for animal health and safety. Proactively engaging in continued professional development and building relationships with conservation partners can also help curators adapt to evolving best practices in animal care.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time zoo curator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Zoo Curator, you need expertise in animal husbandry, zoology, and wildlife management, usually backed by a degree in biology or a related field and relevant experience. Familiarity with animal record-keeping systems, collection management software, and compliance with accreditation standards is essential. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills help you manage staff and collaborate with external partners. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring animal welfare, effective operations, and the educational mission of the zoo.

What is the difference between Full Time Zoo Curator vs Full Time Zoo Keeper?

AspectFull Time Zoo CuratorFull Time Zoo Keeper
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in zoology, biology, or related field; certifications varyHigh school diploma or equivalent; some positions prefer animal care experience
Work EnvironmentAdministrative and supervisory roles overseeing collections and exhibitsHands-on animal care, feeding, and habitat maintenance
Employer & Industry UsageZoo management, educational institutions, conservation organizationsZoos, aquariums, wildlife parks

While both roles involve working with animals in a zoo setting, a Full Time Zoo Curator primarily manages collections, oversees staff, and plans exhibits, requiring more advanced education and administrative skills. In contrast, a Full Time Zoo Keeper focuses on daily animal care and habitat maintenance, often with less formal education but more direct animal interaction.

How to become a full time zoo curator?

To become a full-time zoo curator, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, or a related field, along with several years of experience working with animals or in zoo management. Advanced positions often require a master's degree or higher, as well as strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills, and familiarity with animal care standards and conservation practices.
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Full Time Zoo Curator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Full Time Zoo Curator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,627 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

Assistant Zoological Manager - Hoofstock (2 Openings)

Dallas Zoo

Dallas, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Dallas Zoo rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 37 rated wildlife parks and zoos

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Dallas Zoo is seeking two Assistant Zoological Managers to join our Large Mammals Hoofstock Team. Working closely with the Zoological Manager, this position supports the day-to-day operations of the section and assists in ensuring exceptional animal care and welfare. The Large Mammals Hoofstock team currently cares for a diverse collection of species, including Nile hippopotamus, okapi, giraffe, greater kudu, blue duiker, and ostrich.

This role is responsible for covering daily routes as assigned, supporting animal husbandry programs, and maintaining associated facilities. The Assistant Zoological Manager serves as the primary contact for the assigned section in the absence of the Zoological Manager and provides support and mentorship to animal care staff.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist in organizing and coordinating assigned section's daily activities, overseeing animal care staff in all areas, and delegating tasks per leadership team's direction;
Lead by example: maintain familiarity with all aspects of husbandry routines, assisting if needed;
Assist in the hiring of, then train, animal care staff in all aspects of husbandry: diet preparation,
feeding, cleaning and maintenance of exhibits;
Assist in the implementation of protocols and operating procedures to maintain high level of
sanitation, animal care, and safety;
Observe and monitor animals regularly for health and behavioral issues;
Assist with veterinary treatments and procedures, reporting relevant animal health situations to
veterinarians and curator;
Oversee animal propagation, sharing expertise with staff, ensuring that facilities and staff are well
prepared prior to relevant breeding events;
Coordinate safe animal capture and restraint, as well as transfer within the zoo, in compliance with
professional industry standards;
Coordinate, perform, and train staff for safe handling, restraint, translocation of animals within
assigned work section potentially including dangerous and/or venomous species;
Communicate thoroughly and efficiently and ensure accuracy of records in all areas of responsibility;
Actively manage, and participate in, operant conditioning and environmental enrichment programs
for animals within the section;
Ensure exhibits meet high standards of animal welfare and aesthetics: prioritize exhibit enhancement
projects, participate in renovations, and demonstrate effective exhibit maintenance strategies;
Follow all safety protocols, understanding the Assistant Zoological Manager's role in emergency
procedures, and serving as a member of Dallas Zoo's Emergency Response Team;
Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
A Bachelor's degree in biology, animal science, or a related field is preferred, but not required;
Must have knowledge of animal husbandry, with at least seven years preferred of exotic animal careexperience at an AZA-accredited facility (ideally with Hoofstock)
Must be solution-oriented, finding creative solutions for complex challenges;
Demonstrated interest and expertise in management, reproduction of diverse species;
Comprehensive knowledge of reproduction, as well as neonate care preferred;
Comprehensive knowledge of behavioral management, including operant conditioning philosophy,
techniques and terminology, as well as benefits and goals of environmental enrichment;
Ability to remain aware and alert while working around potentially dangerous animals at all times;
Incumbent should have broad interests in research, behavior and conservation;
Excellent facilitation, as well as communication skills, both oral and written;
Comfort with computer software: MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point;
Ability to represent the Zoo in a professional manner at all times;
Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action;
Ability to work with minimal supervision, must be self-directed;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with management, other employees &
zoo guests;
Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull bend, climb stairs
and ladders and carry up to 50 lbs;
Must be able to work holidays and weekends;
Must be able to actively work outdoors in hot or inclement weather;
Successful candidates must pass pre-employment drug screening, background check and TB test;
Must have a valid driver's license to operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this job and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties to be assigned.
Employment Type: Full-Time

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