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Zoos Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Houston Zoo

Zookeeper, Primates

Houston, TX · On-site

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild. * Actively pursues feedback and other resources to develop leadership skills.

Houston Zoo

Zookeeper, Primates

Houston, TX

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild. * Actively pursues feedback and other resources to develop leadership skills.

Houston Zoo

Zookeeper II, Birds

Houston, TX · On-site

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild. * Actively pursues feedback and other resources to develop leadership skills.

Houston Zoo

Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston, TX · On-site

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild. * Actively pursues feedback and other resources to improve leadership skills and helps to ...

Tulsa Zoo

Zookeeper - Elephants/Hoofstock

Tulsa, OK · On-site

Zookeeper - Elephants/Hoofstock Your Manager: Zoological Supervisor/Manager Your Pay Structure ( FLSA Status): Full-time, hourly/nonexempt Safety Sensitive: This is a safety-sensitive position.

John Ball Zoo

Zookeeper - Area 3

Grand Rapids, MI

$17.11/hr

... Zoos and Aquariums since 1983 which assures excellent animal care and a dedication to conservation. As one of the top attractions in Grand Rapids, we welcome over 700,000 guests each year who are ...

houstonzoo

Zookeeper II, Birds

Houston, TX · On-site

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild. * Actively pursues feedback and other resources to develop leadership skills.

Oakland Zoo

Oakland Zoo - Zoo Ambassador

Oakland, CA

Want to help Oakland Zoo in our mission to deepen connections with animals, save wildlife, and inspire champions for the natural world? Join us as a Zoo Ambassador! Zoo Ambassadors assist and enhance ...

Sedgwick County

Zookeeper - Mammals - ZOO

Wichita, KS

$20.72/hr

Zoo Job ID: 12867 Pay: $20.72 per hour Work Schedule: Sedgwick County offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes health coverages, paid leave, regular compensation ...

houstonzoo

Zookeeper II, Birds

Houston, TX

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild. * Actively pursues feedback and other resources to develop leadership skills.

houstonzoo

Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston, TX

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild. * Actively pursues feedback and other resources to improve leadership skills and helps to ...

Sedgwick County

Zookeeper - Mammals - ZOO

Wichita, KS

$20.72/hr

Zoo Job ID: 12867 Pay: $20.72 per hour Work Schedule: Sedgwick County offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes health coverages, paid leave, regular compensation ...

houstonzoo

Zookeeper II Elephant

Houston, TX

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

houstonzoo

Zookeeper II Elephant

Houston, TX · On-site

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

Sedgwick County

Zookeeper - Mammals - ZOO

Wichita, KS · On-site

$20.72/hr

Zoo Job ID: 12867 Pay: $20.72 per hour Work Schedule: Sedgwick County offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes health coverages, paid leave, regular compensation ...

houstonzoo

Zookeeper, Primates

Houston, TX

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild. * Actively pursues feedback and other resources to develop leadership skills.

houstonzoo

Zookeeper, Primates

Houston, TX

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild. * Actively pursues feedback and other resources to develop leadership skills.

houstonzoo

Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston, TX

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild. * Actively pursues feedback and other resources to improve leadership skills and helps to ...

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How much do zoos jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for zoos in the United States is $15.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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, biology, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree or certification. Experience with animal care protocols, husbandry tools, and recordkeeping systems is typically expected. Strong observation skills, communication, and a passion for animal welfare set outstanding zookeepers apart. These skills are essential for ensuring the health, safety, and enrichment of animals while educating the public and supporting conservation efforts.

What are some common challenges faced by zookeepers in daily animal care?

Zookeepers often face challenges such as managing the diverse needs of different species, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols, and maintaining enrichment activities to keep animals mentally stimulated. Additionally, they must monitor animal health closely and respond quickly to any signs of illness or distress. Collaboration with veterinarians, nutritionists, and other staff is essential to provide the highest standard of care and to manage the physical demands of the job, such as cleaning enclosures and preparing specialized diets.

What are zoos and what purpose do they serve?

Zoos are facilities where animals are housed, cared for, and displayed to the public. They play important roles in wildlife conservation, education, and scientific research. Modern zoos aim to protect endangered species, support breeding programs, and teach visitors about biodiversity and animal behavior. Many also contribute to habitat preservation and collaborate with conservation organizations worldwide.

What is the difference between Zoos vs Animal Care Technicians?

AspectZoosAnimal Care Technicians
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, specialized training, certifications in animal handlingHigh school diploma, certifications in animal care, CPR, first aid
Work EnvironmentZoo facilities, outdoor and indoor enclosures, public interactionAnimal habitats, veterinary clinics, research labs
Employer & Industry UsageZoos, wildlife parks, conservation centersZoos, animal shelters, research institutions

Zoos are large facilities that house diverse animal species and focus on conservation, education, and public engagement. Animal Care Technicians work closely with animals in various settings, providing daily care, feeding, and health monitoring. While both roles involve animal handling and care, zoos typically require broader knowledge of multiple species and public interaction, whereas Animal Care Technicians focus on hands-on animal maintenance and health in more specialized environments.

More about Zoos jobs
What cities are hiring for Zoos jobs? Cities with the most Zoos job openings:
What states have the most Zoos jobs? States with the most job openings for Zoos jobs include:
Zoos jobs near you
Infographic showing various Zoos job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,239 per year, or $15.5 per hour.
Zookeeper, Primates

Zookeeper, Primates

Houston Zoo

Houston, TX • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago

Houston Zoo rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 32 rated wildlife parks and zoos

Job description

Position Summary
Under the direction of a Zoo Supervisor, the Zookeeper is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations associated with the husbandry of the animals and the maintenance of animal enclosures within a specified Houston Zoo animal program. This position will coordinate all program objectives in addition to day-to-day husbandry and enclosure maintenance.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
  • Carries out all aspects of the daily care of assigned animals including cleaning, feeding, exhibit maintenance, general upkeep of support facilities.
  • Maintains clean and organized exhibits, holding areas, service areas and equipment.
  • Prepares and feeds appropriate diets as per established feeding practices and diet sheets.
  • Administers prescribed medications, supplements, or treatments under the guidance of the veterinary and supervisory staff.
  • Records and reports any abnormal animal health or behavioral issues to the Zoo Supervisor.
  • Maintains daily reports, logs, training and enrichment records, research or veterinary records, as appropriate and according to established guidelines; requires basic skills with TRACKS and Microsoft Office software applications.
  • Understands and applies a practical understanding of operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under his/her care.
  • Understands and applies the basic principles of animal enrichment as part of the daily management of species under his/her care.
  • Maintains clean and organized exhibits, equipment, and keeper areas.
  • As appropriate, maintains water quality through filtration, balance of chemical elements, and sanitation methods for aquatic or semi-aquatic animal species.
  • As appropriate, maintains live exhibit plantings to enhance exhibit aesthetics; eliminates weeds and toxic plants from animal enclosures.
  • In conjunction with the Zoo's pest control officer, may assist in pest control through the use of exclusion or traps.
  • Identifies potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to the Zoo Supervisor.
  • Participates in keeper chats, tours, animal presentations or demonstrations, and/or other public interactions as requested by the Zoo Supervisor.
  • May assist with departmental research projects, conservation, AZA, or other industry activities as directed/approve by the Zoo Supervisor or Curator; provides support for Zoo projects
  • Exhibits good teamwork and communication skills both within the home team and when working with other teams or departments.
  • May be required to safely operate a motor vehicle.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in all duties and all assigned work areas within a specified timeframe.
  • Assists with training, mentoring, and may oversee and direct activities of teenage volunteers, Zoo Crew.
  • May assist Zoo Supervisors in the oversight of team projects.
  • Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild.
  • Actively pursues feedback and other resources to develop leadership skills.
  • Contributes to saving animals in the wild through: reduction of waste, water and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife protecting actions
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from four-year college or university in zoology, biology, animal husbandry or a related field.
    • Experience and education may be considered equivalent at the rate of six months of experience per 15 hours of college level credit, up to 60 hours.
    • A certificate of completion from an acceptable animal care program may be substituted for a Bachelor's degree.
  • Three years of experience in animal care at an AZA or equivalent facility, gained through employment or internships.
  • Experience with basic carpentry and mechanical skills.
  • Must have or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver's license.

Language/Reasoning Ability
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, professional journals and SOPs. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively and present information and respond to groups of managers, guests and the general public.
  • Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of money, weight measurement, volume, and distance.
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

Computer Skills
  • Proficient computer skills including electronic mail, record keeping, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, etc.
  • Experience in Microsoft Office applications

Competencies
  • Job Knowledge/Technical Knowledge: Demonstrates a sound working knowledge of current role and the technical systems and applications used in performing this role, and understands the impact this role has on other business functions within the organization
  • Interpersonal Communication: Writes and speaks effectively based on the psychological, relational, situation, environmental and cultural dynamics within the situation
  • Manages Change: Demonstrates effectiveness and flexibility with changing environments, responsibilities, tasks, and people.
  • Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves issues timely by gathering and analyzing information skillfully.
  • Attention to Detail: Follows detailed procedures to ensure accuracy in the entry and reporting of data/information
  • Organization: Uses time efficiently by prioritizing and planning work activities. Methodical and efficient in structuring tasks to be accomplished.
  • Professional maturity: The ability to separate emotional feelings from the real issues at hand. The ability to legitimately and objectively challenge the substance of our beliefs and biases of our observations.
  • Initiative: Takes a responsible, proactive approach and willingness to get things done independently; readiness to take the lead on new projects, ideas, tasks or assignments.
  • Responsibility: The ability to meet commitments made to yourself and others, keeping the promises you make, and acknowledging and accepting the choices you have made, the actions you have taken, and the results they have led to.
  • Communication: The ability to write and speak effectively using appropriate convention based on the situation; actively listens to others, asks questions to verify understanding, and uses tact and consideration when delivering feedback to others.
  • Flexibility: Demonstrate responsiveness and adaptability following change initiatives, and demonstrates ongoing support for change efforts.
  • Intelligence: Understand and comprehend information, as well as find application and value from new knowledge.
  • Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates upmost level of integrity in all instances, and shows respect towards others and towards company principles.
  • Judgment: Demonstrates ability to make independent and sound decisions in all situations.
  • Guest Focus: The ability to demonstrate a series of activities designed to enhance the level of guest satisfaction
  • Teamwork: Shares key information with others involved in a project or effort, works in harmony to accomplish objectives, responds with enthusiasm to directives, and shows support for departmental and organizational decisions.
  • Energetic: Exhibits high levels of energy and enthusiasm
  • Quality: Sets high standards and measures of excellence to ensure quality assurance in every aspect of work performed.
  • Computer Savvy: The knowledge and ability to use computers and technology efficiently and effectively.
  • Collaboration and Partnership: Encourages and embraces dialogue from team members, while anticipating and resolving conflicting differences by exploring mutually agreeable solutions.
  • Accountability: Takes personal responsibility and ownership for adhering to all company policies and procedures while also completing work timely and in accordance with performance expectations.

Physical Demands
  • Ascending or descending stairs, ramps, ladders and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms
  • Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow or slippery surfaces.
  • Bending legs downward and forward by bending leg and spine
  • Standing or moving about on foot to accomplish task, particularly for long distances or sustained periods of time
  • Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force
  • Using upper extremities to exert force. Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally
  • Ability to swiftly respond or move quickly and demonstrate good hand eye coordination in time sensitive situations.
  • Perceiving size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly the fingertips
  • Activities in which you must convey by spoken word or instruction to other workers accurately, loudly or quickly
  • Perceiving the nature of sounds with or without correction
  • Substantial movements (motion) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers
  • Visual acuity including color, close/distance vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision
  • Ability to adjust focus
  • Moderate physical activity performing somewhat strenuous daily activities
  • Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, pull, or otherwise move objects
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to reach/handle items, works with the fingers, and perceives attributes of objects and materials
  • Produce negative test results for annual tuberculosis testing and vaccination for rabies or other zoonotic diseases

Work Environment
  • Outdoors and indoor environment with adequate ventilation
  • Moderate to loud noise
  • Exposure to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture and/or air pollution
  • Exposure to potentially dangerous animals and zoonotic diseases, chemical substances and physical trauma of a minor nature such as cuts, bruises and minor burns

Public Contact
  • Requires heavy public contact requiring considerable interpersonal skill, extensive interaction with the public, donors, and members requiring a high degree of guest services skills.

Work Hours
  • Hours include normal zoo operating hours, weekends, evenings, holidays, special events and extended hours
  • Minimal overnight travel (up to 10%) by land and/or air

Disclaimer
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as a complete inventory of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.
Benefits
Full-time, regular positions are offered the following benefits.
  • Medical and Prescription Drug
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Basic Life AD&D (100% Employer Paid)
  • Short Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
  • Long Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
  • Supplemental Life
  • Flexible Spending Account / Health Savings Account
  • 401k, with employer match

Full-time and Part-Time, regular positions are offered the following additional benefits.
  • Free Zoo Membership
  • Free Guest Passes
  • Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission and Programs
  • Free parking

Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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