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Zoo Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

$89 - $100/hr

Milwaukee County Zoo Salary Range:$89,107.20 -$100,000 Job Posting will close on 09/11/2026 Job Summary: Assists in the management of the Zoo Animal Health subdivision and associated programs.

$55 - $75/hr

As the Zoo's key visual storyteller, you will produce compelling photo and video content that captures the Zoo's most amazing animal stories while driving general admission ticket sales, membership ...

New

$130 - $210/hr

Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. Our Vision: Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife. Job Duties and Responsibilities

$67 - $72/hr

At Lincoln Children's Zoo, our mission is to enrich lives through interaction with living things.We provide hands‑on experiences for more than 250,000 guests per year and care for over 400 ...

New

$125.55 - $144.15/hr

Please apply on the Denver Zoo Careers page: Director of Clinical Medicine | Current Job Openings Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and ...

New

$209 - $271/hr

Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, "To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives."\ WHO YOU ARE As our Chief People Officer , you will be ...

$130.42 - $146.72/hr

Informs protocols and practices to improve care and management of animals across the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and SDZWA's field programs. Collaborates with scientific colleagues within and outside ...

$75 - $131/hr

It features two of the largest and busiest ports in the nation - Port Miami and Miami International Airport - as well as Zoo Miami, the only tropical zoo in the continental United States. Its borders ...

New

$65 - $90/hr

It features two of the largest and busiest ports in the nation - Port Miami and Miami International Airport - as well as Zoo Miami, the only tropical zoo in the continental United States.Its borders ...

New

$71 - $120/hr

It features two of the largest and busiest ports in the nation - Port Miami and Miami International Airport - as well as Zoo Miami, the only tropical zoo in the continental United States.Its borders ...

New

$78 - $136/hr

It features two of the largest and busiest ports in the nation - Port Miami and Miami International Airport - as well as Zoo Miami, the only tropical zoo in the continental United States.Its borders ...

New

$61 - $108/hr

It features two of the largest and busiest ports in the nation - Port Miami and Miami International Airport - as well as Zoo Miami, the only tropical zoo in the continental United States.Its borders ...

New

$187 - $207/hr

Production experience building and maintaining Apache Solr clusters with Zookeeper * Strong Windows Server administration and infrastructure upgrade orchestration * AWS cloud servicesexpertise: EC2 ...

$58 - $103/hr

It features two of the largest and busiest ports in the nation - Port Miami and Miami International Airport - as well as Zoo Miami, the only tropical zoo in the continental United States.Its borders ...

New

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Zoo information

See Kentucky salary details

$5

$14

$27

How much do zoo jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for zoo in Kentucky is $14.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $9.42 and $15.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a zoo worker?

Zoo workers are professionals who care for animals in zoos and ensure their well-being. Their duties can include feeding animals, cleaning enclosures, monitoring animal health, and providing enrichment activities. Some zoo workers, like zookeepers, may specialize in certain species, while others assist with education programs or maintenance. They also help educate the public about wildlife conservation and animal behavior. Working at a zoo requires a passion for animals, attention to detail, and strong communication skills.

What are the qualifications to work in a zoo?

The qualifications to work in a zoo vary greatly. As a zoologist, you need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology, or a closely related degree. Some zookeepers have zoology degrees as well, but that is not always a strict requirement for becoming a zookeeper. To work on the administrative side, you need a strong grasp of business administration, animal science, and community planning and engagement. Tour guides may be volunteers that lead tours or full-time employees with a high school diploma or GED certificate. Strong research skills and good interpersonal communication skills are essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a zookeeper, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Zookeeper, you need a background in animal science or biology, experience with animal care, and often a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with animal husbandry tools, record-keeping software, and safety protocols is typically required. Strong observation skills, patience, and effective communication help zookeepers manage animals and interact with the public and colleagues. These skills ensure the health and welfare of animals while promoting education and safety within the zoo environment.

What are some of the common challenges faced by zookeepers in their daily work?

Zookeepers often encounter challenges such as ensuring animal welfare while managing a variety of species with different needs, maintaining strict safety protocols, and handling physically demanding tasks in all weather conditions. They also need to adapt to rapidly changing situations, such as animal health emergencies or behavioral issues, and frequently collaborate closely with veterinarians, educators, and maintenance staff. Building trust with the animals and staying updated on best practices in animal care are ongoing aspects of the role.

What is the difference between Zoo vs Zookeeper?

AspectZooZookeeper
CredentialsTypically none required, but education in biology or animal science helpsOften requires a degree in biology, zoology, or related field
Work EnvironmentPublic, educational, and conservation-focused settingsHands-on animal care in zoo habitats
Employer & IndustryZoos, wildlife parks, conservation organizationsZoos, aquariums, wildlife reserves

While 'Zoo' refers to the facility or organization, a 'Zookeeper' is the professional responsible for animal care within a zoo. Zookeepers work directly with animals, ensuring their health and well-being, whereas 'Zoo' describes the environment or institution where these activities occur.

What are different jobs at a zoo?

Zoo jobs include zookeepers, who care for animals and maintain enclosures; educators, who provide public programs and interpretive services; veterinarians, who diagnose and treat animal health; and administrative staff, who handle management and operations. Other roles include security personnel, maintenance workers, and research scientists, often requiring specific skills, certifications, or training related to animal care and facility management.

What are the most commonly searched types of Zoo jobs in Kentucky?

The most popular types of Zoo jobs in Kentucky are:

What are popular job titles related to Zoo jobs in Kentucky?

For Zoo jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Zoo jobs in Kentucky look for?

The top searched job categories for Zoo jobs in Kentucky are:

What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Zoo jobs?

Cities in Kentucky with the most Zoo job openings:

Infographic showing various Zoo job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $29,157 per year, or $14 per hour.

$89 - $100/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Assist in developing and implementing clinical and preventative veterinary programs.

  • Provide direct clinical care including examinations, surgery, diagnostic tests, treatments, and lab work interpretation.

  • Manage the Commissary and Commissary Animal Nutrition Coordinator, including diet development, inventory, and budget monitoring.


Milwaukee County rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

249th of 855 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Zoological Department, 10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America

10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA

Job Description

Posted Friday, August 28, 2026 at 6:00 AM | Expires Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 5:59 AM

Interested in joining Milwaukee County? Milwaukee County is searching for authentic people who are out to change the game and bring their whole selves to work every day.

Milwaukee County oversees operations from our Airport, Behavioral Health, Child Support, Combined Court Operations, Sheriff's Department, Community Reintegration Center, Human Services, Parks, Public Safety, Public Works, Fleet Operations, Transportation, and at the Zoo. Our departments are also dedicated to our Seniors and those with Disabilities in Aging and Disability Services, and Veterans in Veterans Services. Our employees also remain committed to serving the cultural, human, recreational, and social needs of the entire community.

Milwaukee County offers a wide variety of interesting jobs for people who want to make a difference in our community. Milwaukee County provides a competitive benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are searching for Changemakers to come and join our team and discover our diverse and versatile community of independent spirits and unique talents, we are redefining the way you think about Milwaukee County!

Milwaukee County Zoo

Salary Range:$89,107.20 -$100,000

Job Posting will close on 09/11/2026

Job Summary: Assists in the management of the Zoo Animal Health subdivision and associated programs. Participates in the development and implementation of clinical and preventative veterinary programs. As a member of the Animal Management Team, develops and implements Animal Division programs, and , procedures. Provides mentorship and oversight for the Zoological Medicine and Surgery resident as well as veterinary students. Manages the Commissary and Commissary Animal Nutrition Coordinator. Participates in zoo conservation and research programs. Oversee hospital operations in the absence of the Senior Staff Veterinarian.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Clinical Duties - Assists in developing and implementing the preventive and clinical medicine programs. Provides direct clinical care including, but not limited to, examinations, surgery, diagnostic and regulatory tests, treatments, and lab work interpretation. Coordinates the veterinary medical aspects of animal shipments to and from the zoo. Maintains medical records.
  • Commissary Management - Manage the Commissary and Commissary Animal Nutrition Coordinator. Assist in diet development and evaluate diets within the park for diet drift and modify them as needed. Monitor Commissary inventory and budget. Identify and prioritize requests for facility maintenance and write purchase specifications for high volume and diverse dietary items in collaboration with the Commissary Animal Nutrition Coordinator. Assess food quality.
  • General Animal Division Management - As a member of Animal Management Team, participate in establishing animal department procedures, work rules,, and protocols, communicate related activities to zoo staff, research review, facility design and collection planning and management.
  • Conservation and Research - Manage or participate in zoological conservation, research or breeding programs. Prepare reports and articles for presentation or publication; participate in zoological-related conferences, workshops, seminars and professional development activities.
  • Staff Leadership - Supervise the work and performance of the hospital staff in the absence of the Senior Staff Veterinarian, providing leadership through motivation, engagement, feedback, support and development. Maximize employee and team effectiveness. Coordinate the recruitment, hiring, orientation, training, and evaluation of the team in conjunction with the Senior Staff Veterinarian. Maintain a positive culture of collaboration, accountability, and respectful behavior
  • Doctor Veterinary Medicine (DVM) - or a VMD degree from an AVMA accredited college or university
  • At least two (2) years or more experience working as aveterinarianin a zoo or wildlife park required
  • WI veterinary license or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire
  • USDA category II accreditation or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire
  • DEA and WI driver’s license or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
  • Cervid and Elephant TB testing certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire

Preferred Qualifications

  • ACZM board certification or eligibility
  • Completion of an approved residency in Zoo Veterinary Medicine

NOTE: This position is unclassified and not subject to Civil Service Rules and Regulations. This original application is open to qualified candidates authorized to work in the United States. Appointee must establish Wisconsin State residency within six (6) months of appointment and maintain such residency during incumbency.

Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements.

Zoological Department, 10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America,

10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA,

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