Aquatic Ectotherms Keeper

Fort Worth Zoo; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 34,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vision

Dental

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k

Paid time off

Free zoo membership

Free guest passes

Discounts on food, merchandise, and at

Job summary

Fort Worth Zoo is seeking a dedicated keeper to care for animals in the Bait Shack and Mountains & Desert areas. You will support veterinary staff, maintain enclosures, and ensure accurate records while following all safety and operational protocols.

Responsibilities include cleaning habitats, monitoring water chemistries, and daily animal observations. The role requires citizen-level reliability, good communication, and ability to work flexible hours in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must have one year of zoo keeping experience.
• Scuba certified for Aquarist position.
• Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain zoo standards of insurability.

Responsibilities

• Maintain animal enclosures and environments as directed.
• Assist veterinary staff as needed and monitor animal health.
• Follow all safety and biosecurity protocols as required by the zoo.

Skills

Zoo keeping experience

Scuba certification

Driver's license

Communication skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management or related field

Job description

Summary:

The responsibility of this position is to maintain and care for a variety of animals within the Bait Shack and Mountains & Desert as directed; to assist veterinary staff as needed; and to perform a variety of activities relative to the assigned area of responsibility.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide necessary husbandry parameters and appropriate environments for species in assigned areas
• All animal enclosures should be kept clean (i.e., interior/exterior glass, regular substrate siphoning and water changes, uneaten food removed, etc.)
• Animal enclosures should be completely stripped and cleaned as needed (i.e., disease or parasite problem, if the animal dies, if a new species is moved into the enclosure, if the substrate and props are dirty, etc.). Some systems will require more frequent tear-downs dependent upon treatment regimens, number of specimens, and bio load
• Water chemistries are to be conducted on a regular basis following all protocols
• All dangerous animal enclosures and locks are to be checked for security purposes daily and any problems relayed immediately to supervisor
• All animals and life support systems (LSS) should be checked daily and observations should be noted in TRACKS. Health Alerts should be submitted as needed and all major findings should be reported to a supervisor immediately
• Provide appropriate back-up coverage as relief keeper (use check sheet, record observations, accurate communication, clean and feed, etc.)
• Abnormal feeding patterns should be noted in TRACKS and reported to supervisor (i.e., if animal misses three feedings in a row, regurgitation, has trouble catching or eating prey, etc.), as well as discussed at weekly staff meetings
• Carry out animal diet directives from management. Discuss any diet, supplementation, or feeding change requests with supervisor
• Check out with supervisor before leaving at the end of the day and relay any pertinent information/updates verbally
• Maintain all animal records. Each animal must have an updated cage card (if applicable) and records in TRACKS
• Animal training and enrichment directives assigned by management are to be implemented within instructed time frame and recorded in TRACKS
• All venomous animal protocols are to be strictly followed
• All diving protocols are to be strictly followed. All diving equipment must be properly used, maintained, cleaned and stored. Each dive is to be recorded in Dive Log and TRACKS
• Maintain safe and clutter-free work environment
• Keep all work areas and building parameter clean and free of debris
• Monitor building temperatures and equipment. Report malfunctions to supervisor
• Conduct routine filter changes and backwashes as scheduled or indicated by water chemistries. Check flow meters daily and replace as needed
• Act in a professional and courteous manner with coworkers and zoo visitors Present keeper talks as scheduled
• Be respectful of coworkers, maintain a positive work environment and team atmosphere
• Manage time appropriately to complete daily routine and work on extra projects
• Live prey and food cultures are to be properly maintained and in adequate supply
• Public and keeper work areas are to be kept organized and clean (i.e., floors swept and mopped daily, cobwebs removed, shelves, exhibits, light fixtures dusted, etc.)
• Specialty bulbs should be hung at an appropriate distance from the tank (varies for bulb type). Bulbs should be replaced as needed (indicated by using the light meter). Readings should be recorded after installation and 6 months thereafter using the light meter. All readings should be written in TRACKS
• Animal equipment should be cleaned properly after use to prevent disease transmission and stored properly. Footbaths are to be used when requested by management and should be maintained daily and used properly
• When animal sections are redistributed, the current keeper is to: conduct visual inspection of animal with supervisor and new keeper, discuss current husbandry procedures and any pertinent behaviors or other relative information. All records are to be complete and updated prior to transfer
• A target species list is to be submitted to supervisor as requested each year. This list should include detailed environment manipulation information, physical description of enclosure, substrate and props, timeline and any desired changes to husbandry and feeding regimens
• Fulfill other duties as assigned in Animal Programs Keeper job description

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must have one year of zoo keeping experience
• Scuba certified for Aquarist position
• Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain zoo standards of insurability

Must possess ability to:

• Work independently in the absence of immediate supervision
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities

Education and/or Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, zoology, animal behavior, biology, ecology, psychology or related field preferred
• Specialized training in zoology or a related field desirable but not required

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or or move up to 75 pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Team oriented environment
• Ability to work irregular hours (holidays and weekends)
• Exposure to a variety of domestic and wild or potentially dangerous animals; animal odors and animal body fluids
• Exposure to all types of inclement weather conditions
• Exposure to chemicals (cleaning, water chemicals, additives, etc.)
• Ability to work special events and functions as required
• This position may be safety sensitive
• This position may work around animals susceptible to specific diseases, thus may be subject to regular tuberculosis and rabies titer testing, and the routine use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, face masks

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

This is a full-time position and offers the following benefits:

• Medical and Prescription Drug (Employee Coverage 90% Employer Paid, Dependent Coverage 55% Employer Paid)
• 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
• 401k
• Paid Time Off (Accrual Equivalent to 5 Weeks Per Year)
• PTO Rollover
• PTO Sell Back
• Free Zoo Membership
• Free Guest Passes
• Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission and Programs