Animal Keeper - Carnivores

Lincoln Park Zoo; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free admission to many institutions

On-site parking

Job summary

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago offers a hands-on wildlife care role. You will participate in daily animal care, enrichment planning, and welfare assessments, working with a team to meet high standards of animal health and safety. The position involves training, record-keeping, and collaboration across departments.

The role supports guest experiences and education programs, with opportunities to contribute to welfare discussions and exhibit maintenance. This is a full-time, on-site position.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of current industry standard husbandry practices.
• Knowledge of animal behavior and enrichment techniques.
• Ability to observe health and welfare indicators and document them.

Responsibilities

• Provides daily care to animals and their enclosures, including cleaning, feeding, watering, and observation.
• Participates in operant conditioning training and records progress.
• Develops enrichment activities and assesses their effectiveness.
• Maintains exhibit displays and safety guidelines; assists with education programs as needed.
• Maintains accurate daily written reports in TRACKS system.

Skills

Animal care

Observation skills

Record keeping

Operant conditioning

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma / GED

Biological Sciences degree preferred

Tools

TRACKS system

Word

Excel

Internet navigation

Job description

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under general supervision, participates in all aspects of daily animal care and enclosure maintenance. This position works in a team atmosphere that strives to continuously provide progressive, high standards of care to ensure animal health, safety, and well‑being. Animal species include African lions, snow leopards, red pandas, Canada lynx, harbor seals, grey seals, brown bears, and polar bear.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides daily care to animals and their enclosures. Including, but not limited to cleaning, feeding, watering, securing, observing, animal training and enrichment, record keeping and maintaining exhibits
• Participates in daily operant conditioning training sessions, working with teams to advance program in alignment with established goals for species behavior and wellbeing. This includes developing training plans and completing training records
• Advances behavioral enrichment program by planning, implementing and evaluating enrichment activities
• Participates in welfare discussions and assessments as assigned, implementing welfare action items as needed
• Promotes and contributes to a positive and productive work environment
• Collects ZooMonitor data as assigned
• Tasks may include heavy manual and skilled work such as moving and manipulating heavy food items, hoses, bales of hay, equipment and crated animals
• Advances zoo mission through collaboration with horticulture, conservation & science, development, learning and community engagement programs as assigned.
• Assist in delivery of education programs formally through Learning Department, and informally through interaction with zoo guests; conducting tours and participating in research projects as needed
• Cleans and maintains animal exhibits including use of chemical agents and special tools which are used to ensure the health and safety of the animals
• Under supervision, maintains excellence in exhibit display including furnishing, landscape maintenance, modifying and performing minor repairs and upkeep as appropriate
• Prepares and distributes prescribed animal diets as determined by senior animal management staff
• Under supervision, administers therapeutics as prescribed by the veterinarian
• Monitors health of animals on a daily basis, and reports anything abnormal or problematic to the management team without delay
• Makes recommendations regarding diet change, habitat redesign and related matters and taking steps to accomplish the same
• Prepares detailed written daily reports and completes all assigned record keeping in TRACKS record keeping system
• Monitors the condition of habitats, equipment and facilities and communicates work order requests and emergency repairs as needed
• Maintains clean and safe work environment
• Maintains an inventory of tools and supplies
• Adheres to established animal handling and related safety guidelines
• Participates in established animal escape drills and procedures. Under supervision, captures, restrains, and transports animals
• Jobs may require coordination with other zoo departments
• Promotes a positive guest experience
• Support lead/assistant lead during the training of new staff, temporary keepers, etc

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Keepers assigned to evening or night shift will devote their time for animal observations and other assigned duties
• May have direct responsibility for a specialized aspect of assigned animals
• Other duties as assigned to maintain efficient and quality zoo operations
• Work necessary hours as requested including all shifts, weekends, holidays, and special events

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of current industry standard husbandry practices and methods
• Knowledge of animal behavior and natural history; common environmental enrichment and animal training practices; biology and related subjects
• Knowledge of animal behavior as an indication of general health, reproductive potential and wellbeing
• Knowledge of occupational hazards involved and the safe work practices to employ while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals
• Knowledge of materials, methods, tools and equipment used in cleaning operations
• Skill in making thorough observations and documenting observations
• Ability to keep comprehensive and accurate records according to established procedures
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Ability to both give and follow oral and written directions effectively
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• Ability to organize tasks and time to ensure timely completion of all projects
• Ability to work in any of the assigned animal areas fulfilling all requirements of the title
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in analyzing animal behavior problems or emergency situations, and to respond with appropriate action
• Ability to work with and be comfortable around potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species
• Ability to work with potentially dangerous machinery, animal handling tools, squeeze cages, chemicals, and/or medications
• Ability to interact courteously, respectfully and productively with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, zoo visitors, and general public
• Knowledge of basic computer programs/software (Word, Excel, and Internet/Intranet navigation)

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from a high school or the equivalent (GED) is required.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Biological Sciences (i.e. Biology, Zoology, Ecology) or a closely related discipline is preferred.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Previous experience performing animal care activities in a zoo, aquarium or like institutions is highly desirable.
• Experience in designated taxonomic area preferred.
• Experience and proficiency in animal training using operant conditioning techniques and goal-based enrichment is preferred

Note: A comparable combination of education, experience or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skills, and ability required may qualify an individual.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to remain on feet for long periods of time
• Ability to regularly perform a variety of physical tasks that include but are not limited to climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, reaching, crawling
• Physical strength, including ability to frequently move up to fifty (50) pounds
• Ability to work in small, confined spaces
• Ability to work in all weather conditions
• Ability to wear requisite Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that may include rubber/latex gloves, steel-toed boots/shoes, face shields, eye goggles
• No allergy related to plants or animals that may interfere with the ability to work
• No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch balance and ability of movement that might interfere with ability to work
• Ability to maintain immune response to exposure to infectious and parasitic diseases
• Ability to swim may be required for some positions

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Available to work all necessary hours, including weekends, holidays, special events and all shifts.
• Available to attend on-ground training sessions as needed
• A valid driver’s license with a good driving record is preferred
• Proof of negative TB test

OUR COMMITMENT

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values, and experiences of all people. For Wildlife. For All.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO BENEFITS

• Free admission to many other Chicago cultural institutions
• Free on-site parking anytime with access to Lincoln Park, Lakeshore Trail, and North Avenue Beach
• Discounts on event tickets (free admission to select events), attractions, dining, and retail at the zoo
• Quarterly staff mingle events and LPZooU training and educational sessions about the zoo, wildlife, ecology, and related subjects
• Company contribution to Health Savings Account (Medical PPO only)
• A working environment with green spaces and regularly available visits with wildlife!

Salary: $31.06/hr