Keeper, River's Edge

Saint-Louis-Zoo; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks a positive, collaborative animal care professional to join our River’s Edge Team in caring for Asian elephants, black rhinos, Nile hippos, capybara, and more. The role may assist in the Antelope Area as needed and emphasizes welfare, enrichment, and safety.

You will work in a naturalistic River’s Edge environment, focusing on welfare, training, monitoring, and guest engagement, while upholding AZA and USDA standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; preference for four-year degree in an animal-related field.
• Experience with elephants and/or ungulates desired.
• PADI Open Water Diver Certification is helpful but not required; optional for Dive Program to service Hippo Harbor.
• Must be a team player with ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Effective communication with supervisory staff and other departments.
• Must have good observation and record-keeping skills regarding animal well-being.
• Ability to follow safety protocols, demonstrate focus, follow instructions, manage time, and apply critical thinking.
• Must be able to operate Bobcat skid steer, ATV after training; computer proficiency required.
• Comfortable with public speaking preferred.
• Physically able to perform duties; outdoor work in all weather; may lift up to 50 lbs.
• Background check and drug test required.

Responsibilities

• Ensuring safety, well-being, and care of animals in River’s Edge; focus on welfare assessments and enrichment.
• Maintain and enhance habitats, service areas, and public spaces; custodial and horticulture tasks.
• Engage in enrichment and operant conditioning; support research and education.
• Observe animals for behavioral and medical needs; document findings.
• Participate in guest engagement and public speaking when needed.
• Support AZA Species Survival Plans and USDA standards.

Skills

Team player

Public speaking

Observation and record keeping

Time management

Critical thinking

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Four-year college degree in an animal-related field

Tools

Bobcat skid steer

ATV

Light power tools

Computer proficiency

Job description

Organization: Saint Louis Zoolocatedin St. Louis, Missouri

Directly Reports to: Zoological Manager/River’s Edge and the Curator of Mammals/Ungulates & River’s Edge

Position Summary: The Saint Louis Zoo is looking for a positive and collaborative animal care professional to join ourRiver’s EdgeTeam to care for a diverse group of animals includingAsian elephants, black rhinos, Nile hippos,Chacoanpeccary,capybaraanda variety of African cichlids.This position may alsoassistin our Antelope Area as needed.

Responsibilities: Thesafety,well-being and care of our animals and our team is our highest priority at the Saint Louis Zoo.The keeper candidate chosen will work in River’s Edge, a lushly planted naturalistic environmentshowcasingmultiple species from around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Achieving the highest standards of animal wellbeing throughexemplary animal care to all animals inRiver’s Edgewith a focus on animal welfare assessments, environmentalenrichmentand operant conditioning.
• Performing all aspects of this position with safety as a priority and maximizing occupational safety through adherence toestablishedZoo and AZA protocols.
• Maintainingand enhancing animalhabitatsand indoor living spaces, service areas and public areas as assignedincluding custodial and horticulture needs.SCUBA diving to service outdoor hippo pool is optional.
• Observing and monitoring animals for behavioral and medical needsand proactive training for voluntary participation in animal health care and research whenappropriate.
• Contributing to open team discussions and sharing ideas inpositiveand professional manner.
• Enhancing guest experiences which may include public speaking and engagement with guests, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Participating in and supporting collaborative effortspertaining tothe care of the animals including training, enrichment, conservation, research, and education.This includes AZA Species Survival Plans, the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute, AZA SAFEprogramsand more.
• Aiding the Zoo’s efforts to meet and exceed AZA and USDA standards.
• Recognizing the needs of others and treating others with respect and dignity.
• Maintaininggood workhabits and adhering to the employee handbook and all policies and procedures.
• Demonstrating a commitment tomaintaininga work environment free from discrimination and sexual harassment and supporting the Zoo’s commitment to equal employment opportunities.
• All team members must be dedicated to growing and improving our Zoo’s commitment to Diversity, Equity,Accessibilityand Inclusion (DEAI).
• Must be dependable and reliable: betimely, responsive, and organized; meet deadlines, take responsibility, and help other zoo staff as needed.
• Employees must strive to decrease our environmental footprint to serve as models to our community to do the same through education and example.
• Responsible for special projects, procedures, and goals set forth by the area managers.
• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; therefore, the employee maybe requiredto perform otherreasonably relatedduties as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalentrequiredwith preference given to applicants with a four-year college degree in an animal-related field and a strong background in animal care, welfare, management, and operant conditioning.
• Experience working withelephants and/orungulates is desired.
• PADI Open Water Diver Certification ishelpful, butnot required.It is optional to join the Saint Louis Zoo Dive Program to service the outdoor pool at Hippo Harbor.
• Must be a team player with the ability to work both independently and contribute to a friendly, creative,progressiveand collaborative workenvironment.
• Communicates effectively with supervisory staff, co-workers and other departments, both written and orally.
• Must have good observation and record keeping skillsregardinganimal well-being.
• Must have the ability to: follow safety protocols,demonstratefocus, follow written and verbal instructions, manage time effectively, and apply critical thinking techniques.
• Must be able to use a Bobcatskid steer, ATV, and light power tools after suitable training.
• Demonstrate computerproficiencyto complete the functions of this position.
• Comfortablewith andexperience in public speaking preferred.
• Candidates must have the physical ability to perform required duties as assigned, some strenuous,including:standing,sittingand walking forlong periodsof time, kneeling, bending, squatting, lifting (which may include up to 50 lbs.). Working outdoors in all types of weather conditions, including extreme heat and extreme cold, etc.
• All successful candidates for this position willbe requiredto undergo a criminal background check and a drug test. As this is a safety-sensitive role, a negative drug test result is mandatory. The drug testscreens forfive substances, including marijuana.AcurrentTB test is alsorequired.

Additional Job Details:

• Must be able and willing to work flexible hours, weekends, and holidays to cover animal care and Zoo event needs.In the case of inclement weatheror other zoo closures, this position is considered an essentialanimalcare position and will berequiredto follow the policies in place for completing necessary and essential animal care responsibilitiesas needed.

We are seeking a team member who aligns with the values of the Saint Louis Zoo (creativity, community, openness,integrityand life-work balance). A competitive applicant for this positionisalsoan individual whoisinnovative and dedicated to advancing the field of animal care and welfare. A successful applicant will be a leader and must have a positive, can-do attitude. They should be self-motivated, resourceful,proactiveand forward thinking. Must be a team player and be able to work in line with the River’s Edge Team Values of Teamwork, Dedication, Integrity, Welfare and Excellencein order toprovide the animals in our care with the highest level of welfare.Please provide a cover letterinyour application materials.

Position Closes: 8/31/26

About the Saint Louis Zoo: The world-renowned Saint Louis Zoo is dedicated to saving species and bringing people and wildlife together. Home to over 16,000 animals, many of which are endangered. Entry is free every day for everyone, an important part of our commitment to people and animals – always. Learn more at: https://stlzoo.org/

About St. Louis, Mo: From Explore St. Louis: “Urban explorer, outdoor adventurer, aficionado of family fun – no matter your travel persona,you’llfind plenty to do in St. Louis. The city is brimming with free, world-class attractions and boasts an arts-and-culture scenethat’ssecond to none. Plus, fans of fresh air will be surprised and delighted by our flourishing public parks, miles oftrailsand exhilarating waterways. Sprinkle in a bit of our secret sauce – the warmth and hospitality of the residents – andyou’lldiscover that St. Louis dishes up undeniably epic travel experiences.Don’ttake our word for it, though.Come and seefor yourself.” Learn more at https://explorestlouis.com/

Education

Required

High School or better.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.