Keeper I, II - Primates

The Phoenix Zoo; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Phoenix Zoo is seeking Keeper I and Keeper II professionals to safeguard animal welfare and deliver engaging guest experiences in the Living Collections department. Responsibilities include daily husbandry, enrichment, training, and participation in health and safety protocols with a focus on primates.

Keeper I emphasizes introductory care, SOPs, and guest interaction, while Keeper II adds expanded diet oversight, health monitoring, reproduction program components, and staff training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Science or equivalent experience preferred.
• High school diploma required.
• Behavioral enrichment experience preferred.
• Minimum six months paid or one-year volunteer experience in work relevant to exotic animal husbandry.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Able to bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven surfaces.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test and TB test.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality guest service with a professional attitude.
• Perform routine husbandry by feeding prescribed diets; report health or behavioral abnormalities.
• Assist in developing protocols for restraint, introduction/breeding, and husbandry care.
• Perform enrichment activities and animal training procedures.
• Participate in non-routine health and husbandry activities; transports and medication of specimens.
• Respond to animal emergencies following approved protocols.
• Perform minor exhibit repairs and coordinate with maintenance.
• Collaborate with staff to support public experiences and events.
• Keeper II: advise on nutrition, assist veterinary staff, manage reproduction program components.
• Keeper II: monitor health, supervise SOPs, train new staff, maintain facilities, aging & safety tasks.
• Monitor the public for safety; initiate interactive guest programs.
• Support facility planning and cross-department communications for events.

Skills

Behavioral enrichment

Exotic animal husbandry

Lift up to 50 pounds

Driver's license

Background check / drug test

Team collaboration

Public guest engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Life Science

High school diploma

Volunteer / work experience in animal care

Job description

Job Title: Keeper I, II - Primates

Department: Living Collections

Supervisor: Collection Manager of assigned area

Supervises: None

FLSA Status: Full Time, Regular, Non-exempt

Starting Pay Rate:

• Keeper I: $23.70
• Keeper II: $24.89

General Statement:

Keeper I: The Keeper in this position is responsible for the safety, health and well-being of all assigned animals through the performance of documented husbandry practices. This position supports designated public experiences, by training and mentoring internal guests (staff and volunteers), developing and maintaining animal cued behaviors, and animal programs. A Phoenix Zoo Keeper also actively collaborates in the development and presentation of guest experiences that support the Phoenix Zoo’s mission.

Keeper II: The Keeper II is responsible for the safety, health and well-being of all assigned animals through the performance of documented husbandry practices. This position supports designated public experiences, by training and mentoring internal guests (staff and volunteers), developing and maintaining animal cued behaviors and animal programs. In addition to performing Keeper II duties, this position actively collaborates in the presentation of guest experiences that support the Phoenix Zoo’s mission.

Essential Duties:

Keeper I:

1. Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance.
2. Perform routine husbandry by feeding prescribed diets, monitoring and reporting diet consumption consistent with documented Standard Operating Procedures; report any observed health or behavioral abnormalities of all assigned specimens to immediate supervisor on a daily basis.
3. Assist in the development of protocols for the restraint, introduction/breeding, and husbandry care of assigned animals; amend and update Standard Operating Procedures as assigned.
4. Perform assigned and approved behavioral enrichment activities and animal training procedures of assigned specimens in a timely manner and consistent with documented Standard Operating Procedures.
5. Participate as assigned in non-routine health and husbandry activities such as animal transports, animal introductions/breeding, restraint and treatment of animals, and the medication of specimens.
6. Respond to animal emergency circumstances according to approved protocols, ensuring the safety of guests and animals.
7. Perform minor repairs to exhibits; interact with maintenance staff as needed and as assigned. Document and report any structural or mechanical problems.
8. Work collaboratively with other staff and departments to support designated public experiences and other communication activities and goals that include participating as necessary with Special Events, Group Services, Marketing and PR events.

Keeper II:

1. 1. Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance.
2. 2. Perform routine husbandry by feeding prescribed diets, monitoring and reporting diet consumption consistent with documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s); observe and report any health or behavioral abnormalities of all assigned specimens to immediate supervisor on a daily basis; advise staff on nutritional concern or seasonal adjustments; assist veterinary staff in carrying out health monitoring and assessment; perform Standard Operating Procedures associated with specialty areas or programs (e.g., venomous animal and large reptiles handling); and manage captive reproduction program components as assigned.
3. 3. Perform assigned and approved behavioral enrichment activities and animal training procedures of assigned specimens in a timely manner and consistent with documented Standard Operation Procedures; assist in the development and implementation of SOP’s within assigned area; assist in the training of new staff in assigned SOP’s.
4. 4. Perform routine maintenance of facilities by maintaining and reporting any structural or mechanical problems; provide support in the development of facility plans and assessments; Interact with maintenance staff as needed.
5. 5. Respond to animal emergency circumstances according to approved protocols.
6. 6. Participate as assigned in non-routine health and husbandry activities such as animal transports, animal introductions/breeding, restraint and treatment of animals, and the medication of specimens.
7. 7. Monitor the public ensuring the safety of visitors and animals.
8. 8. Work collaboratively with other staff and departments to support designated public experiences and other communication activities that include participating as necessary with Special Events, Group Services, Marketing and PR events.
9. 9. Initiate engagement and interaction with guests in support of the Zoo’s mission by developing and conducting interactive animal programs.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments.)

Qualifications:

Keeper I:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Life Science or equivalent experience preferred.
2. High school diploma required.
3. Behavioral enrichment experience preferred.
4. Minimum six months paid or one-year volunteer experience in work relevant to exotic animal husbandry.
5. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
6. Able to bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven surfaces.
7. Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.
8. Possession of a valid driver’s license.
9. Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check and clear annual TB test.

Keeper II:

1. 1. Bachelor’s degree in Life Science or equivalent experience preferred.
2. 2. High school diploma required.
3. 3. Behavioral enrichment and operant conditioning experience preferred.
4. 4. Minimum 2 years paid experience relevant to animal husbandry in an AZA accredited institution or related facility.
5. 5. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
6. 6. Able to bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven surfaces.
7. 7. Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.
8. 8. Possession of a valid driver’s license.
9. 9. Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check and clear annual TB test.