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Manatee Care Specialist

Jacksonville Zoo amp; Botanical Gardens | Manatee Conservation Department | On-Site

We're looking for passionate animal care professionals to join the team making it all possible. The work you will do here is visible, celebrated, and directly connected to the recovery of wild manatee populations in Florida.

What You'll Do

You'll provide expert daily care for rescued manatees in one of the most advanced rehabilitation facilities in the Southeast — and help tell their story to thousands of guests every year.

Animal Care amp; Husbandry

• Perform daily feeding, medication administration, habitat cleaning, and enrichment
• Monitor and document manatee health, behavior, buoyancy, appetite, and reproductive activity
• Assist with veterinary procedures, rescue response, and approved research
• Conduct underwater exhibit inspections and behavioral monitoring using SCUBA equipment

Conservation amp; Compliance

• Uphold AZA, FWC, USDA, and OSHA standards at all times
• Contribute to Species Survival Plans and habitat planning
• Follow biosecurity and zoonotic disease prevention protocols

Guest Engagement

• Deliver keeper chats, tours, and conservation education that connect guests to manatee conservation
• Practice responsible messaging that promotes habitat protection and discourages wildlife trafficking

Team Engagement

• Higher level care specialist will have team leading and additional responsibilities.

What Makes You a Fit

You are SCUBA certified. You're observant and calm under pressure. You notice when something's off with an animal before anyone else does. You communicate clearly, document accurately, and show up for your team. You care deeply about manatee conservation — and you know how to share that passion with the public.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Associate or bachelor's degree in biology, marine biology, zoology, wildlife management, environmental science, animal behavior, fisheries/marine science, or a closely related field, preferred.

Experience

We're hiring at three levels — you will be placed in the level that fits your background.

• Specialist I - 6 months paid or unpaid wildlife care. SCUBA certification, preferred.
• Specialist II - 2 years paid wildlife care + SCUBA certification
• Senior Specialist - 5–6 years paid wildlife care + SCUBA certification

Some required experience may be substituted by a degree in life science related field.

• Associate degree equivalent to six months.
• Bachelor’s degree equivalent to one year.
• Master’s degree equivalent to 1.5 years.

Preferred Qualifications

• SCUBA certification.
• Experience with marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, or husbandry
• Familiarity with ZIMS, Tracks, or similar animal record systems
• Internship or volunteer experience with FWC, NOAA partners, or AZA-accredited institutions

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Availability to accommodate a flexible schedule, including extended hours, holidays, and weekends, and willingness to work overtime as needed.
• Ability to participate in the response team for stranding or medical emergencies involving marine mammals.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Exposure to various weather conditions, including extreme heat, sunlight, cold, rain, and wind.
• Exposure to hazards such as wildlife, waste, equipment, loud noises, chemicals, and heights.
• Potential exposure to allergens (dust, animal dander, pollen, etc.), bloodborne pathogens, zoonotic diseases, and injuries from animals.
• Periodic work in small, enclosed, or underwater areas.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing and crouching.
• Lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs
• Operating hand and power tools
• Operating motorized vehicles
• Frequent underwater work using SCUBA equipment
• Verbal communication and visual and auditory awareness to monitor animal behavior, respond to safety alerts and communicate with colleagues and guests.

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and clear driving record and be over age 18 to operate organizational vehicles.
• May require local or national travel.
• Ability to travel locally to deliver educational programs at off-site community locations.

About the Manatee Habitat

In March 2026, Jacksonville Zoo amp; Botanical Gardens opened the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat — a 330,000-gallon rescue and rehabilitation facility capable of caring for up to 20 manatees at once, triple our previous capacity. This is one of Florida's most significant new conservation facilities. Guests can view rehabilitating manatees directly from the new VyStar SkyScape entrance.

JZBG is an equal opportunity, drug-free employer.