Lead Zoo Specialist

Wpraweb; Oshkosh (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Oshkosh is seeking a knowledgeable Lead Zoo Specialist to help run daily operations at Menominee Park Zoo. You’ll lead animal care staff, supervise volunteers, and contribute to exhibits, grounds, and educational programming.

The role emphasizes advanced husbandry, staff leadership, and operational support under the Park Services and Events Manager, shaping a high‑quality visitor experience for the Oshkosh community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, wildlife management, environmental science, or related field.
• Three to five years of professional animal husbandry experience, preferably with North American species.
• Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Preferred background includes exhibit construction, basic carpentry, facility repairs, or grounds maintenance; familiarity with USDA/DNR/AZA standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership to Zoo Specialists, seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Assist with scheduling, workflow coordination, staff training, and performance feedback.
• Support budgeting, procurement, inventory management, and operational planning.
• Perform and oversee routine husbandry for captive wild and domesticated animals.
• Prepare diets and feed animals according to established schedules.
• Monitor animal health, behavior, enrichment, and breeding activity.
• Maintain records related to animal care, health, and compliance.
• Assist with veterinary care, animal restraint and transfer, and exhibit inspections.
• Educate the public on animals, conservation, and zoo policies.
• Maintain facilities and grounds, landscape, clean, snow removal, and upkeep.
• Lead development and delivery of educational and conservation programs.

Skills

Animal husbandry

Leadership

Public engagement

Staff coordination

Operations management

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, wildlife management, environmental science, or related field

Tools

Exhibit construction

Carpentry basics

Facility repairs

Grounds maintenance

Job description

The City of Oshkosh is seeking a knowledgeable, hands‑on, and mission‑driven Lead Zoo Specialist to help lead daily operations at Menominee Park Zoo. This role is ideal for an experienced animal care professional who is passionate about animal welfare, conservation, education, and public service. As the Lead Zoo Specialist, you will provide advanced animal husbandry, daily leadership for animal care staff, and operational support across the zoo. This position plays a key role in maintaining high standards of animal care, supporting exhibits and grounds, and helping deliver meaningful educational and conservation programming for the community. Working under the general direction of the Park Services and Events Manager, this position offers the opportunity to exercise independent judgment, contribute to zoo operations, and help shape the visitor experience at a valued community asset.

What You’ll Do:

Lead Zoo Operations and Staff

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership to Zoo Specialists, seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers
• Assist with scheduling, workflow coordination, staff training, and performance feedback
• Support budgeting, procurement, inventory management, and operational planning

Lead Zoo Specialist
City of Oshkosh

The City of Oshkosh is seeking a knowledgeable, hands‑on, and mission‑driven Lead Zoo Specialist to help lead daily operations at Menominee Park Zoo. This role is ideal for an experienced animal care professional who is passionate about animal welfare, conservation, education, and public service. As the Lead Zoo Specialist, you will provide advanced animal husbandry, daily leadership for animal care staff, and operational support across the zoo. This position plays a key role in maintaining high standards of animal care, supporting exhibits and grounds, and helping deliver meaningful educational and conservation programming for the community. Working under the general direction of the Park Services and Events Manager, this position offers the opportunity to exercise independent judgment, contribute to zoo operations, and help shape the visitor experience at a valued community asset.

What You’ll Do:

Lead Zoo Operations and Staff

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership to Zoo Specialists, seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers
• Assist with scheduling, workflow coordination, staff training, and performance feedback
• Support budgeting, procurement, inventory management, and operational planning

Support Animal Care and Welfare

• Perform and oversee routine husbandry for captive wild and domesticated animals
• Prepare diets and feed animals according to established schedules
• Monitor animal health, behavior, enrichment, and breeding activity
• Maintain accurate records related to animal care, health, and compliance
• Assist with veterinary care, animal restraint and transfer, and exhibit inspections
• Recommend improvements to animal care practices and daily work processes
• Ensure compliance with animal welfare standards, safety procedures, USDA/DNR regulations, and City policies

Engage Visitors and Advance Programming

• Interact with visitors and represent the Zoo at community events
• Lead the development and delivery of educational and conservation programs
• Educate the public on animals, conservation, and zoo policies
• Support public use supervision, attendance tracking, and visitor survey efforts
• Help train seasonal staff, volunteers, and interns involved in programming
• Maintain Facilities and Grounds

Maintain Facilities and Grounds

Assist with facility and grounds maintenance throughout the zoo

• Perform landscaping, cleaning, snow removal, mowing, trimming, painting, and general upkeep
• Support exhibit construction, repairs, habitat enhancements, and minor construction projects
• Assist with exhibit design, graphics, natural landscaping, and zoo operational procedures

Why Join Menominee Park Zoo? This is an opportunity to make a direct impact on:

• Animal welfare and quality care
• Conservation and public education
• Staff development and daily zoo operations
• A positive visitor experience for the Oshkosh community

If you are an experienced animal care professional who enjoys leadership, public engagement, and hands‑on work in a dynamic zoo environment, we encourage you to apply.

Qualificaitons

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, wildlife management, environmental science, or a related field
• Three to five years of professional animal husbandry experience, preferably with North American species
• Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience
• Valid driver’s license
• Preferred Background
  • Experience with exhibit construction, basic carpentry, facility repairs, or grounds maintenance
  • Experience with animal capture, restraint, and control equipment, including tranquilization equipment
  • Familiarity with USDA, DNR, or AZA standards

Salary/Salary Range
$30.35 – $34.68 based on qualifications

Closing Date
11/22/2026

Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association

6737 W Washington St, Suite 4270, Milwaukee, WI 53214