Float Temporary Keeper, Children's Zoo

Paylocity; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 77,146,000 - 79,901,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Zoo Membership

Job summary

Oakland Zoo is seeking a dedicated Float Animal Keeper to support ACCR across multiple species, performing feeding, maintenance and planning tasks. The role emphasizes comprehensive species knowledge and proactive care in a dynamic environment.

The position requires strong collaboration, safety awareness, and the ability to work weekends/evenings/holidays. It offers full-time, temporary employment with competitive hourly pay of $27.05.

Qualifications

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders across the organization.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate a culture of mutual respect, transparency and belonging.

Responsibilities

• Use observation, enrichment and training methods to promote animal well-being.
• Assess and address physical and psycho-social needs of animals.
• Design steps to meet needs and improve departmental priorities.
• Guide and support junior staff and volunteers as appropriate.
• Represent the Zoo in public settings including press interviews and classes.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Inclusive Culture

Organization

Time management

Sustainability

Passion

Wildlife Aware

Education

Bachelor’s degree in zoology

Specialized Associate's degree

Job description

Description

This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The application deadline is October 4 2026.

Note: This is a full-time, temporary position that is starting ASAP and anticipated to end on November 30 2026, with potential to extend depending on the needs of the organization.

Payrate: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the payrate for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $27.05 per hour. An offer at this rate will be our best and final compensation offer, in alignment with the 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 animal strings and has the opportunity to care for a variety of species: lemurs, otters, bats, pigs, petting yard, tortoises, alligators, various herpetofauna, invertebrates, and ambassador animals. Work ranges from the physical tasks associated with feeding and maintenance of the animal living areas to more analytical tasks of planning, record keeping, and communication. Animal Keepers are expected to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the natural history of the species to support them in providing appropriate care for our animals. Most of the time is spent in basic String coverage, making time available for Supervising Primaries and Primaries to complete other projects and administrative responsibilities.

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 6 months full time or 1040 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 with a clean driving record that meets our insurance carrier requirements
• 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 – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• 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 – May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.

• 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.