Animal Care Professional - Animal Ambassadors (Full-Time)

Association Of Zoos & Aquariums; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

ZooTampa is seeking an Animal Care Professional to join a dynamic team dedicated to animal care and guest engagement. This role involves training, daily husbandry, and participation in educational programs aimed at inspiring conservation. The position requires a passion for wildlife and outreach to create impactful experiences.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

403(b) Pension Plan

Tuition Forgiveness

Free admission to the Zoo, MOSI, and the Florida Aquarium

Free gym membership

Qualifications

• Three or more years paid keeper experience in an AZA accredited institution.
• SCUBA and First-Aid Certification for specific areas.
• Ability to effectively engage with guests during presentations.

Responsibilities

• Daily care and feeding of assigned animals.
• Manage animal training and public presentations.
• Maintain detailed records on assigned animals.

Skills

Animal Behavior

Guest Engagement

Emergency Response

Positive Reinforcement Training

Education

High school diploma or GED

AA degree or higher (preferred)

Job description

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, Related Facilities, Commercial Members, Conservation Partners and Society Partners may post free unlimited online job listings as a member benefit. Non-members can purchase job listings.How to post a job

Interested in a career in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums? Learn more about types of zoo and aquarium jobs and relevant education programs in our career center .

ZooTampa at Lowry Park in Tampa, Florida

Do you dream of training Clouded Leopards, engaging guests with vibrant Macaws, and creating unforgettable animal moments? Join ZooTampa’s Animal Ambassador team—a high-energy crew dedicated to the care and training of a diverse ambassador animal collection, including birds of prey, reptiles, and charismatic mammals. Our work goes beyond daily husbandry; we connect people with wildlife through interactive encounters, dynamic shows, and media appearances that inspire conservation action.

If you're passionate about animal behavior, guest education, and making a real impact in conservation through immersive storytelling and training, we want to hear from you! Apply now and become a key part of a team that’s redefining wildlife connections—one unforgettable encounter at a time.

The Animal Ambassador team at Zoo Tampa is a group of energetic individuals caring for a variety of animals such as parrots, clouded leopards, bird of prey, reptiles, and other small mammals. We are currently seeking an

Do you dream of training Clouded Leopards, engaging guests with vibrant Macaws, and creating unforgettable animal moments? Join ZooTampa’s Animal Ambassador team—a high-energy crew dedicated to the care and training of a diverse ambassador animal collection, including birds of prey, reptiles, and charismatic mammals. Our work goes beyond daily husbandry; we connect people with wildlife through interactive encounters, dynamic shows, and media appearances that inspire conservation action.

If you're passionate about animal behavior, guest education, and making a real impact in conservation through immersive storytelling and training, we want to hear from you! Apply now and become a key part of a team that’s redefining wildlife connections—one unforgettable encounter at a time.

The Animal Ambassador team at Zoo Tampa is a group of energetic individuals caring for a variety of animals such as parrots, clouded leopards, bird of prey, reptiles, and other small mammals. We are currently seeking anAnimal Care Professionalto join our team. Our team and the animal ambassadors offer unique, immersive experiences for our guests including animal mingles, presentations, themed shows, and media appearances. We promote positive reinforcement, choice-based training and focus on relationship building with all of our animals. We are looking for motivated individuals who are passionate about inspiring others to develop a greater appreciation of animals in the wild and can support the Zoo’s mission and goals.

Duties include, but are not limited to, daily care and feeding of assigned animals in collection, maintenance of animal exhibits and night-houses, behavioral observations, record keeping, animal enrichment and training, assisting veterinary staff, operation of utility vehicles, and daily public presentations.

Who We Are

ZooTampa at Lowry Parkis one of the most popular zoos in the southeastern U.S., with over 1 million visitors annually. We have grown to what now encompasses 56 acres of naturalistic wildlife habitats in a lush, tropical garden setting with wide-ranging activities. The Zoo, accredited by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), offers popular educational programming, fun recreational amenities, up-close animal encounters and engaging seasonal events for which it has won awards as one of the country’s most family-friendly zoos.

Our missionis to rescue, rehabilitate and care for animals; create exceptional personalized experiences that connect people with wildlife and each other in fun, immersive ways.

Our visionis that everyone we touch is motivated to join us in taking action to protect and preserve wildlife.

Join us and become a part of creating unforgettable natural connections!

Your day to day

• General husbandry and care of assigned animals, including preparing and distributing approved animal diets.
• Possess strong understanding of operant conditioning and behavior modification with emphasis on positive reinforcement and least reinforcing stimuli.
• Experience shaping behaviors and troubleshooting challenging behavior scenarios including aggression. Engage with Zoo guests at exhibits, conservation stations, keeper talks, training demonstrations, and/or shows.
• Strong stage presence and comfortability on microphone in front of large crowds.
• Preferably some experience with training and handling birds of prey.
• Close observation of animal behaviors with a particular focus on appropriate appetite, mobility and waste production to monitor health of animals; notification of appropriate animal care staff of any concerns.
• Shift animals according to area’s standard operating procedures (SOP).
• Animal capture, restraint and handling techniques.
• Engage with the Zoo guests at exhibits, conservation stations, keeper talks, training demonstrations and/or shows.
• Maintain detailed daily records on assigned animals.
• Assist in animal procedures including, but not limited to, translocations, veterinary procedures and crating.
• Strong knowledge of Zoo layout and general animal collection to respond quickly during animal emergencies and also assist guests on a daily basis with exhibit location.
• Initiates and completes area projects with supervisor’s approval.
• Adherence to area’s standard operating procedures (SOP).
• Knowledge of safety SOP, safety concerns and reporting protocols.
• Knowledge of husbandry requirements and the prevention of zoonotic diseases.
• Knowledge of basic nutrition requirements for assigned area(s).
• Assist registrar in area’s record keeping.
• Inspect, clean and maintain both exhibit and off-exhibit areas.
• Propose and perform species-specific enrichment.
• Promote active guest engagement through interaction with guests during both formal and informal discussions, during events and as otherwise assigned.
• Report animal illness, maintenance, safety, horticulture or other needs to appropriate staff.
• Assist in animal procedures including, but not limited to, translocations, veterinary procedures and crating.
• Respond to and assist supervisor in guiding the resolution of emergency situations (e.g., Code I, II, III) within the Zoo.
• Guide subordinate co-workers on intermediate procedures.
• Observe safety policies and procedures in regard to the use of Zoo equipment, materials, chemicals and vehicles.

Experience Required

What are we looking for?High school diploma or general education degree (GED); AA degree or higher preferred.Three or more years paid keeper experience in an AZA accredited institution.SCUBA and First-Aid Certification for specific areas.Knowledge of Word Processing software and Spreadsheet software.Must have good written and oral communication skills and ability to effectively participate in guest engagement activities.Must be self-motivated and goal oriented.Must be able to maintain discretion with confidential information.Ability to appropriately apply animal training through the use of operant and classical conditioning.Thorough knowledge of zoonotic diseases and prevention.Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with members of all departments and to work effectively alone and in group settings.Ability to complete projects in a reasonable time frame to the satisfaction of management.Deal courteously and tactfully with employees, peers, superiors and the general public.Knowledge of occupational hazards and appropriate safety precautions.Must have the ability to follow specific instructions and also be comfortable self-directing.Must be flexible and have the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a positive attitude with the public.Knowledge of occupational hazards and appropriate safety precautions.Capacity to anticipate ability to think ahead and plan.Capacity to change: ability to identify and correct operational problems quickly.Must be able to think logically and solve problems with minimal guidance.Other RequirementsConducts all activities in alignment with AZA standards and guidelines, all relevant laws and regulations, safety standards and standards that ensure animal welfare.Ability to work in extreme weather conditions typical to west central Florida (i.e., heat, rain or cold).Possess visual, hearing and other sensory and cognitive capacity appropriate for animal care and general safety practices.Ability to use radio, telephone and computer to communicate and follow written and verbal instructions.Must be able to work in a variety of physical positions (including sitting, bending, standing, and walking) and to engage in physical labor (raking, sweeping, and shoveling).Must have ability to navigate paved as well as rough terrain on foot and by vehicle.Must be able to safely and effectively engage in heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds).Ability to work long hours and varying shifts, including nights and weekend, to support special events and the needs of the collection.

Our Perks at ZooTampa Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet, Life Insurance, 403(b) Pension Plan Vacation and sick time Employee Assistance Program Tuition Forgiveness Free gym membership Free admission to the Zoo, MOSI, and the Florida Aquarium Free or discounted admission to many attractions in Florida And so much more! Equal Opportunity Employer & Drug-Free Workplace

Please visit www.ZooTampa.org/careers to see all job opportunities and internships.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park in Tampa, Florida
1101 W. Sligh Ave
Tampa, FL 33604
Phone: [phone]