Birds Animal Food Preparer - Part Time - San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at a renowned conservation leader where your role as a Wildlife Food Preparer/Hatchery Attendant directly supports the mission of saving species worldwide. This part-time position involves preparing various diets for wildlife, maintaining prey cultures, and engaging with guests, all while working in a vibrant environment that celebrates nature and conservation. With a commitment to inspiring passion for wildlife, this role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful conservation efforts and enjoy perks like free admission to the zoo and discounts. If you’re passionate about wildlife and looking for a rewarding experience, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Free admission to the San Diego Zoo

Family Passes

Complimentary Tickets

Local and In-House Discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Program

Qualifications

• Experience in food preparation and animal care is essential.
• Knowledge of safe food handling and nutrition practices required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare diets and food for wildlife collections.
• Maintain forage items and assist in storekeeping tasks.
• Interact with guests and represent the organization's mission.

Skills

Animal nutrition and feeding

Safe food preparation and handling techniques

Safe driving practices

Arithmetic calculations

Effective communication

Education

Food safety training and certification

Valid California driver license

Job description

Job Description

Posted Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Expired Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 9:59 AM

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Wildlife Food Preparer/Hatchery Attendant performs all job assignments with a positive attitude that supports San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's mission and vision of saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in wildlife care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature and leading the fight against extinction. Under general supervision, prepares a wide variety of foods, primary food mixes, live wildlife prey and completed diets as determined by the organization's Nutrition staff. This position reports to the Wildlife Care Supervisor & Wildlife Care Manager.

A Wildlife Food Preparer/Hatchery Attendant performs general wildlife food preparation functions, at either the Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park; performs a variety of general warehousing, stores, grounds keeping and custodial work.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Responsible for preparation of food and diets for the wildlife collections
• Maintains forage items such as mice, lizards and insects
• Maintains vertebrate and invertebrate prey cultures
• Assists in general storekeeping and warehouse activities
• Determine measurement (weight, volume) for diet preparation
• Assists with physical inventories
• Moderate to heavy lifting including supplies and equipment
• Interacts with guests, as required
• Represents the mission and goals of the department and organization

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR

JOB EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Education, training and/or experience which would clearly demonstrate the essential functions, knowledge and skills outlined above is required
• Food safety training and certification is required
• valid California driver license is required.
  
  

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of:
• Safe driving practices and California motor vehicle laws
• Animal nutrition and feeding
• Safe food preparation and handling techniques
• Food processing equipment maintenance
• Ability to:
• Make arithmetic calculations
• Keep detailed records
• Use kitchen utensils and appliances
• Properly maintain equipment and supplies
• Operate motorized equipment
• Effectively communicate (verbal and written)
• Deal tactfully and courteously with others in a diverse environment
• Understand and follow directions effectively

SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
  
  

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Position Type: Hourly Part-Time Non-Exempt Union Position - If selected, there will be fees and dues to be paid to the union
• Hourly Rate: $17.25

Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.

If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail [e-mail] . If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.

Be an ally for wildlife by joining our team!

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences. Diversity is vital for the benefit of our team members, our guests, our community, and our wildlife.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to [e-mail] and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.

As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.