Parks Animal Keeper

County of Orange; California; On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The OC Zoo is seeking a Parks Animal Keeper to provide expert daily care for a diverse collection of birds, mammals, and reptiles. You will work under zoo leadership, perform habitat maintenance, and engage guests with educational talks.

The role requires hands-on animal care, adherence to safety and regulatory standards (USDA, Fish and Wildlife), and collaboration with the veterinary team. Experience with enrichment and accurate record-keeping is essential; the position offers a rewarding

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include at least three years of experience caring for exotic animals in zoological settings.
• Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Biology, Natural Sciences, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care, feeding, medicating, and enrichment for assigned animals.
• Observe and report health or behavioral changes to Zoo Curator and Veterinarian.
• Maintain clean habitats and care manuals; assist with training staff or volunteers.

Skills

Animal care

Exotic animals

Observation & reporting

Record keeping

Guest interaction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Zoology/Biology/Natural Sciences or related field

Tools

Hand tools

Rakes/Shovels

Power tools (minor)

Job description

PARKS ANIMAL KEEPER

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Parks Animal Keeper positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PT)

OC ZOO

The County of Orange OC Zoo is part of the OC Parks division within OC Community Resources (OCCR). Located inside Irvine Regional Park in the city of Orange, the zoo focuses on animals and plants native to the southwestern United States. Accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), the zoo opened a new large mammal exhibit in 2022, featuring mountain lions and a jaguar. The zoo is home to a variety of animals, including black bears, raccoons, venomous and non-venomous snakes and lizards, coyotes, ocelots, eagles, owls, foxes, and bobcats, as well as a barnyard area with domestic animals.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The OC Zoo has current vacancies for Parks Animal Keeper. In this role, you’ll work under the general direction of the Zoo Director, Zoo Curator, and Senior Parks Animal Keepers, providing expert care for our diverse animal collection. This position offers a dynamic mix of hands-on animal care, guest interaction, and habitat maintenance, requiring a strong background in exotic animal care and behavior observation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Observing and carrying out all basic aspects of daily animal care
• Reporting any observed health or behavioral abnormalities to the Zoo Curator and Veterinarian
• Following all approved standard operational procedures
• Maintaining behavioral enrichment programs for assigned animals
• Participating in and developing programs that enhance the guest experience
• Giving presentations to the public and engaging visitors with topics like animal natural history, habitats, conservation status, and animal care
• Preparing accurate and detailed records, logs, and maintaining monthly reports
• Cleaning, maintaining, and conducting repairs to assigned animal habitats
• Inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining public paths, zoo grounds, plants, and enclosures
• Maintaining manuals regarding duties and care for assigned animals
• Training employees or volunteers on animal care, and delegating tasks as needed
• Utilizing hand tools, rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, and minor power tools to maintain and improve habitats and enclosures
• Assisting the veterinarian during visits, administering medications, and supporting recovery and wellness for the animals

This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the care and well-being of our animals while providing an unforgettable experience for our guests. You’ll work independently at times but always as part of a team that shares your commitment to top-notch animal care and guest satisfaction.

OC Zoo is open 365 days per year. Incumbents should be prepared to work rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess at least three (3) years of demonstrated experience working in the care and maintenance of exotic animals in a zoological setting, such as a public/private zoo, wildlife sanctuary, or animal breeding facility.

The ideal candidate will also possess the following:

• Strong background in animal care, with experience working with a variety of species, including birds, mammals, and reptiles in a zoological facility.
• Knowledge of best practices in animal husbandry, including providing enrichment, animal training, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring the well-being of animals.
• Familiarity with operant conditioning techniques is desirable.
• A Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Biology, Natural Sciences, or a related field is strongly preferred.

In addition, the ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge

• Consistently provide daily cleaning, feeding, medicating, training, and enrichment for assigned animals, adhering to industry best practices.
• Utilize operations manuals to ensure accurate and up-to-date feeding and medication instructions, while maintaining a deep understanding of relevant regulations, such as those from the USDA and California Fish and Wildlife.
• Actively participate in maintaining clean and safe habitats for animals, including removing debris, replacing bedding, inspecting enclosures, adding appropriate substrates, raking, mowing, changing perches, seeding lawns, maintaining pump systems, and cleaning enrichment toys.
• Work effectively as part of a dedicated team to ensure adequate coverage in all areas, assisting with training and engagement activities as needed.

Judgment & Critical Thinking

• Demonstrate exceptional judgment and critical thinking skills, particularly as they relate to animal behavior.
• Accurately assess situations and make informed decisions, considering the well-being of both animals and humans.
• Apply problem-solving skills to address challenges and maintain a safe and efficient working environment.
• Think critically to analyze animal behavior, identify potential issues, and implement appropriate solutions.
• Adhere to established procedures and protocols, while exercising sound judgment and adaptability in daily tasks.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of safety protocols to ensure the well-being of yourself, colleagues, the public, and the animals.
• Accurately assess situations to determine when de-escalation or supervisor involvement is necessary.

Written & Verbal Communication Skills

• Effectively communicate information about animal species, behaviors, habitats, and care to the public through engaging and informative presentations.
• Effectively communicate and maintain accurate and detailed records in a zoological animal record database, including animal care, protocols, feedings, medication administration, and medical/behavioral observations.

Interpersonal Skills

• Actively participate as a valued member of the team, ensuring proper coverage in assigned areas and assisting with training and engagement activities as needed. Collaborate effectively with colleagues and supervisors to address concerns regarding animal behavior or potential issues.
• Provide informative and engaging responses to questions from the public (adults and children) about the zoo and its animals, promoting a positive and educational experience.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills to foster positive relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and the public. Utilize conflict resolution strategies to address any challenges or disagreements that may arise.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Recorded Structured Oral Interview | rSOI (Weighted 100%)

The recorded Structured Oral Interview (rSOI) is a timed, recorded assessment conducted via an online platform. Applicants will answer job-related questions on video, which will be reviewed and rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move forward to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the County's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please review the policy.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.