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Mammal Care Specialist I, II, or Senior

Mammal Division
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens | Jacksonville, Florida

Help Shape the Future of Wildlife Conservation

At Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, our Animal Care Specialists do more than care for animals—they advance conservation, inspire guests, support scientific management, and help create exceptional animal wellbeing every day.

We're seeking passionate, collaborative professionals to join our Mammal Division. Whether you're beginning your career or bringing years of experience, you'll become part of a team committed to safety, excellence, continuous learning, and meaningful conservation impact.

What You'll Do

As an Animal Care Specialist, you'll play an essential role in the daily management and wellbeing of a diverse collection of mammals while helping deliver an outstanding guest experience.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing exceptional daily animal care, including feeding, habitat cleaning, enrichment, behavioral observations, training, and medication administration.
• Monitoring animal health and behavior and maintaining accurate records.
• Maintaining safe, clean, attractive habitats while supporting ongoing facility improvements.
• Assisting with veterinary procedures, animal introductions, breeding programs, research projects, and animal transfers.
• Developing and updating husbandry protocols, standard operating procedures, and management plans.
• Supporting Species Survival Plans (SSPs) and Managed Animal Plan (MAP) recommendations.
• Ensuring compliance with AZA, USDA, FWC, OSHA, and institutional standards.
• Maintaining the highest standards of safety, biosecurity, and animal containment.
• Educating and engaging guests about wildlife conservation and responsible stewardship.
• Mentoring new team members, interns, and volunteers while fostering a collaborative workplace culture.
• Supporting conservation initiatives, Behind-the-Scenes experiences, and other special programs.

We're Looking For Someone Who Is

• Passionate about wildlife conservation and animal wellbeing.
• Committed to safety as a core professional value.
• A collaborative teammate who communicates with professionalism and respect.
• Organized, dependable, and able to prioritize work in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable speaking with guests and representing the Zoo professionally.
• Adaptable, resilient, and eager to continue learning and growing.

Minimum QualificationsAnimal Care Specialist I

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 6 months (approximately 960 hours) of paid or volunteer experience working with wildlife in professionally managed care

Animal Care Specialist II

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years (approximately 3,840 hours) of full-time equivalent professional wildlife care experience

Senior Animal Care Specialist

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 5 years (approximately 9,600 hours) of full-time equivalent professional wildlife care experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Animal Science or a related field
• Experience with animal training and enrichment programs

Physical amp; Schedule Requirements

This position requires work outdoors in all weather conditions and includes weekends, holidays, and occasional extended hours. Team members must be able to safely lift up to 50 pounds, work around wildlife and associated hazards, operate vehicles and equipment, and respond to emergency or disaster situations when needed.

A valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record is required.

Why Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens?

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is home to a dedicated team committed to connecting communities with wildlife and wild places. We believe exceptional animal care begins with exceptional people.

We foster a workplace built on:

• Safety as the foundation of everything we do
• Collaboration and mutual respect
• Conservation through meaningful action
• Education that inspires lasting connections
• Innovation and continuous improvement

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where every team member feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute to our mission. We offer competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and the chance to work alongside passionate colleagues making a difference for wildlife every day.

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer, a Drug-Free Workplace, and participates in E-Verify. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Join us in connecting communities with wildlife and wild places—and help inspire the next generation of conservationists.