Perform routine exhibit maintenance, including mowing, trimming, and other routine maintenance ... Design, construct, and provide enrichment devices to animals * Coordinate animal health and other ...
Perform routine exhibit maintenance, including mowing, trimming, and other routine maintenance ... Design, construct, and provide enrichment devices to animals * Coordinate animal health and other ...
... Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center. Principal Duties and Responsibilities * Provide direction and oversight for all animal care team operations, including animal care, exhibit design, species planning ...
... Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center. Principal Duties and Responsibilities * Provide direction and oversight for all animal care team operations, including animal care, exhibit design, species planning ...
Zoo Exhibit Design information
See Michigan salary details
$12.36 - $14.74
2% of jobs
$14.74 - $17.12
11% of jobs
$19.28 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$17.12 - $19.50
14% of jobs
$19.50 - $21.88
18% of jobs
The median wage is $22.82 / hr.
$21.88 - $24.27
15% of jobs
$24.27 - $26.65
15% of jobs
$26.94 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$26.65 - $29.03
11% of jobs
$29.03 - $31.41
7% of jobs
$31.41 - $33.79
4% of jobs
$33.79 - $36.17
3% of jobs
$36.17 - $38.55
1% of jobs
$12
$24
$38
How much do zoo exhibit design jobs pay per hour?
As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for zoo exhibit design in Michigan is $24.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.09 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What is a zoo exhibit design?
A Zoo Exhibit Design job involves creating engaging, safe, and naturalistic habitats for animals in zoos and wildlife parks. Designers must balance animal welfare, visitor experience, and educational goals while considering environmental and sustainability factors. This role requires collaboration with zoologists, architects, and engineers to ensure the habitat meets the physical and behavioral needs of the animals. Tasks may include research, sketching concepts, overseeing construction, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The goal is to design exhibits that foster conservation awareness while providing enriching environments for both animals and visitors.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in zoo exhibit design?
To thrive in Zoo Exhibit Design, you need a background in architecture, landscape design, or a related field, along with knowledge of animal welfare and habitat requirements. Proficiency with CAD software, 3D modeling tools, and an understanding of industry standards like AZA accreditation guidelines are typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and strong problem-solving skills are vital for balancing animal needs with visitor experience and operational constraints. These skills ensure that exhibits are safe, engaging, sustainable, and compliant with professional standards.
What are some of the main challenges faced by professionals in zoo exhibit design?
Zoo exhibit designers commonly face the challenge of creating environments that meet the complex physical and psychological needs of diverse animal species while also engaging and educating the public. Balancing budget constraints, regulatory requirements, and the integration of evolving animal welfare standards into the design process can be demanding. Designers often collaborate with veterinarians, animal keepers, engineers, and educators to ensure the exhibits are functional, safe, and enriching for both animals and visitors. This multidisciplinary nature requires adaptability and continuous learning to keep up with best practices in both design and animal care.
What are the most commonly searched types of Zoo Exhibit Design jobs in Michigan?
The most popular types of Zoo Exhibit Design jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Zoo Exhibit Design jobs in Michigan?
For Zoo Exhibit Design jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Zoo Exhibit Design jobs in Michigan look for?
The top searched job categories for Zoo Exhibit Design jobs in Michigan are:
Full-time
Re-posted 18 days ago
Job description
Mammal Department Zookeeper - Primates General Description
The Mammal Department Zookeeper - Primates provides care, feeding, enrichment and training for primates to ensure their well-being and contributes to outstanding guest experiences by ensuring that primates exhibits are properly maintained.
The Mammal Department Zookeeper - Primates will support, both publicly and privately, the principles of the Detroit Zoological Society. The Mammal Department Zookeeper - Primates will maintain a professional manner when dealing with all constituencies and always preserve a high level of confidentiality.
This job description is by no means all inclusive and may be subject to change during a performance period due to the needs of the Detroit Zoological Society and its leadership. This document will be reviewed on a continual basis and will be modified as needed.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in zoology or a closely related discipline and two years’ experience in the care and management of mammals
OR: An associate degree in a related discipline and four years experiences in the care of captive wildlife, two of which include the care and management of mammals.
Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors and outdoors with exposure to all seasonal weather conditions, with frequent exposure to and contact with dangerous animals, with risk of zoonotic disease transmission (Hepatitis B, Herpes B, Tuberculosis, Salmonella and others), and with exposure to computer monitors. Evening work will be required as necessary.
Physical Requirements
This position requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, and stooping for extended periods, the ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds and the use of standard office equipment and the computer.
The individual must have the ability to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily with or without accommodations. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
Just as we value and celebrate biodiversity, the DZS celebrates the diversity of our human community. We are committed to ensuring that our programs and facilities are fully accessible to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all.
The Mammal Department Zookeeper - Primates provides care, feeding, enrichment and training for primates to ensure their well-being and contributes to outstanding guest experiences by ensuring that primates exhibits are properly maintained.
The Mammal Department Zookeeper - Primates will support, both publicly and privately, the principles of the Detroit Zoological Society. The Mammal Department Zookeeper - Primates will maintain a professional manner when dealing with all constituencies and always preserve a high level of confidentiality.
This job description is by no means all inclusive and may be subject to change during a performance period due to the needs of the Detroit Zoological Society and its leadership. This document will be reviewed on a continual basis and will be modified as needed.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide daily care, including but not limited to, feeding, enrichment, and operant conditioning training for mammals
- Clean animal enclosures and other exhibit areas
- Perform routine exhibit maintenance, including mowing, trimming, and other routine maintenance activities
- Observe and document physical condition and behavior of animals
- Inspect facilities to ensure safety and security
- Capture and restrain animals as needed
- Monitor animal social conditions and situations
- Develop and submit enrichment practices to Coordinator of Enrichment and Research
- Design, construct, and provide enrichment devices to animals
- Coordinate animal health and other medical procedures with veterinary staff
- Provide medical treatments as prescribed by the veterinarians
- Perform routine maintenance and make minor repairs to equipment and facilities
- Communicate needs for maintenance department work requests to supervisor
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations
- Maintain records, inventories and other information and provide written and verbal reports as required
- Train new staff as required
- Train and supervise interns
- Conduct educational presentations in both formal and informal settings.
- Perform other duties as required.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in zoology or a closely related discipline and two years’ experience in the care and management of mammals
OR: An associate degree in a related discipline and four years experiences in the care of captive wildlife, two of which include the care and management of mammals.
Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors and outdoors with exposure to all seasonal weather conditions, with frequent exposure to and contact with dangerous animals, with risk of zoonotic disease transmission (Hepatitis B, Herpes B, Tuberculosis, Salmonella and others), and with exposure to computer monitors. Evening work will be required as necessary.
Physical Requirements
This position requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, and stooping for extended periods, the ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds and the use of standard office equipment and the computer.
The individual must have the ability to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily with or without accommodations. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
Just as we value and celebrate biodiversity, the DZS celebrates the diversity of our human community. We are committed to ensuring that our programs and facilities are fully accessible to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all.
About Detroit Zoological Society
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Museums and historical sites
Company size
201 - 500 Employees
Headquarters location
Royal Oak, MI, US
Year founded
1928