Float Keeper A or B, Children's Zoo

Oakland Zoo; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible spending account

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Zoo Membership

Job summary

Oakland Zoo is seeking a Float Animal Keeper to care for diverse species across sections, including commissary and night keeper duties. The role involves feeding, enrichment, record keeping, and collaboration with a team to maintain animal health and welfare.

Responsibilities include adapting to variable shifts, potentially night duties, and supporting primary keepers with projects. A valid driver’s license and willingness to work non-standard hours are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year full time or 2080 hours experience in the care of captive wildlife in the zoo field.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Knowledge of the habits and hazards of working with wild, dangerous animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while observing proper safety precautions.
• Medical requirements: negative TB test within the last year, tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years, measles vaccine.

Responsibilities

• Use observation and enrichment methods to maintain animal well-being.
• Conduct ongoing assessment of physical and psycho-social needs.
• Design and implement steps to address needs and improve care.
• Support zoo priorities and seek improvements in daily work.
• Guide and support junior staff and volunteers as needed.
• Represent the Zoo in public settings, including press interviews and instructional classes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Wildlife care

Observation

Communication

Collaboration

Time management

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in zoology/biology or related field

Specialized Associate's degree (e.g., Moorpark)

Job description

Full-time

Description

Note: We will be hiring up to 3 staff. This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The application deadline is October 5, 2026.

Application Process

• Applicants must submit a resume.
• Candidates not meeting minimum requirements may not receive a response.
• Applicants selected for candidacy are required to attend an on-site working interview.

Payrate

To maintain internal equity, we have identified the pay range for this position at the Oakland Zoo to be between $27.81 to $28.45 per hour. An offer within this range will be determined by the experience and qualifications of a candidate and will be our best and final compensation offer, in alignment with Oakland Zoo's compensation philosophy.

Position Summary

Animal Keepers play a vital role on the ACCR team, taking care of the physical health and psychological well-being of the animals directly under their care. The Float Animal Keeper works across several different animal strings and has the opportunity to care for a variety of species, including lemurs, bats, otters, goats, sheep, cats, pigs, rabbits, alligators, tortoises, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and ambassador animals. Work ranges from the physical tasks associated with feeding and maintenance of living areas to more analytical tasks of planning, record keeping, and communication.

The section also includes two support strings: commissary and night keeper. Commissary Keepers are responsible for prepping the majority of the zoo’s animal diets, maintaining diet records, ordering, and supply management. The Night Keeper duties include some commissary support, some diet prep, observation, feeding, and shifting animals throughout the zoo after the day shift leaves. The Night Keeper typically works alone in their duties.

This position is trained to cover the animal areas and support roles (commissary and night keeper) in the section. This position may require some night keeper shifts. Night Keeper shifts are typically 12:30pm - 9pm but will change over the course of the year to as late as 2:30pm - 11pm. This role will cover strings in the absence of the primary Animal Keeper(s) and will assist the primary keeper with duties and special projects as needed.

Essential Job Duties

• Use the tools of animal observation, enrichment, training and other management methods to ensure the best possible psychological well-being of the animals in their care
• Conduct ongoing assessment of their physical and psycho-social needs
• Design and implement steps to address these needs
• Implement Department/Zoo priorities as well as demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements
• Guide and support junior staff and volunteers as appropriate
• Represent the Zoo in a variety of public settings including press interviews, instructional classes and casual communication with Zoo guests
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned

Who You Are

• Minimum of 1 year full time or 2080 hours experience in the care of captive wildlife in the zoo field (preferably at an AZA or GFAS facility). This can include unpaid experience.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Knowledge of the habits and hazards of working with wild, dangerous animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while observing proper safety precautions
• Medical requirements: negative TB test within the last year, tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years, measles vaccine

Bonus if you have...

• Knowledge and experience in behavioral training theory and practical application
• Ability to inspire guests in casual (e.g., one on one) and formal (i.e., programs) venues to take action for conservation
• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology or a related field or a specialized Associate's degree (ex: Moorpark)

Work Environment

• Work in indoor and outdoor environments in various weather conditions, sometimes in or around significant dirt and dust

Physical Considerations

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. (i.e., feed sack) and move a minimum of 120 lbs. (i.e., hay bale)
• Able to walk long distances on uneven terrain in variable environmental conditions (e.g., steep, muddy, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualities

• Collaboration - builds trusting relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across our organization and community-wide and approaches differences of opinion with curiosity and humility.
• Communication - communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing
• Inclusive Culture - fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued.
• Organization - strong attention to details and able to build and/or maintain efficient systems
• Time management - strong capabilities with a demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple commitments
• Sustainability - oriented toward the mission and values of the Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department
• Passion - wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values at all times
• Wildlife Aware - understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at The Zoo, locally and globally. This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to take action for wildlife

Benefits

Oakland Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package, including Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Flexible spending account, Retirement plan, Paid time off, Employee Assistance Program, and Zoo Membership options.

Salary Description

$27.81 - $28.45/hour