Temporary Zoologist - Animal Ambassadors

Dallas Zoo Management; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Dallas Zoo Management is seeking an entry-level on-call Animal Care Aide in the Animal Ambassadors department. You will follow established protocols to provide food preparation, feeding, exhibit maintenance, pest control, and reproductive management to ensure excellent animal care.

This is a variable-hour, non-benefited position averaging up to 29 hours per week, with an anticipated end date in late October/early November 2026.

Qualifications

• Must have knowledge of animal care and basic husbandry.
• Strong observation skills and ability to document findings.
• Flexible, efficient, self-motivated team player.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care of assigned animals and exhibits to ensure health and safety.
• Observe animal health and behavior and report abnormalities.
• Prepare food, provide water, and administer medications as instructed.
• Clean exhibits and equipment, maintain sanitation, and assist with pest control.
• Participate in enrichment and training sessions; assist with captures and procedures as needed.
• Maintain animal records and assist with research documentation.
• Assist with transfers and procedures; interact professionally with staff and volunteers.
• Contribute to public education through interactions and presentations.

Skills

Animal care knowledge

Observation skills

Team player

Communication skills

Education

Associate’s degree in animal science or related field

Bachelor’s degree in animal science or related field

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

This is an entry-level position, on-call position in animal care, following established protocols to provide outstanding animal care for species in the section: food preparation, feeding, exhibit maintenance, pest control, and reproductive management.

This is a variable-hour, non-benefited position within our Animal Ambassadors department, working up to 29 hours per week on average. The assignment is anticipated to end in late October/early November 2026.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide overall daily care of assigned animals and exhibits to ensure animal health, safety, and welfare, staff and public safety as set forth by AZA, USDA, and DZM to include:
• Observe and monitor animals’ general health and behavior, reporting any abnormal behavior to supervisor and/or veterinary staff;
• Prepare and provide food for assigned animals, following written instructions, provide water and administer medication as instructed to ensure proper nutrition and health;
• Clean animal exhibits, holding pens, food prep areas, and equipment, maintaining a high level of sanitation, conducting pest control activities and reporting any mechanical defects that would endanger the animal, zoo staff, and/or guests;
• Achieve the highest standards of animal welfare and wellness by providing environmental enrichment and training sessions, using operant conditioning, as applicable;
• Participate in or assist with the capture and restraint of a variety of taxa including dangerous species
• Prepare and update animal records, reports and surveys, assisting in research projects as necessary to ensure thorough documentation and enhanced knowledge of animal biology;
• Perform general maintenance and repair of exhibits: painting, repairing fences and shelters, abating erosion, planting ground cover and removing weeds;
• Provide assistance with animal transfers and/or procedures as directed;
• Interact positively and professionally with animal care and veterinary staff and volunteers;
• Actively encourage interest in wildlife through positive interaction with zoo guests via educational presentations focused on animals, biology, conservation, and environmental issues;
• Utilize the enrichment item/device proposal form to create new enrichment ideas and items to be added to taxa repertoires and properly record the results of enrichment items after each use;
• Collaborate with other zoo personnel as needed to meet the zoo’s mission. This can include, but is not limited to, assisting and participating in media events, special tours, and public relations projects;
• Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees, and work groups;
• Understand and support Dallas Zoo’s Strategic and Master Plans and departmental collection plans;
• Study specific reference materials pertinent to animal care, behavior and natural history as assigned;
• Follow all safety protocols and understand the animal keeper's role in emergency procedures, responding to emergencies as required;
• Be able to supervise and train volunteers and interns within department as needed;
• Assist with the beautification of our park by removing trash and debris whenever you see
• Assist with and raise awareness for AZA SAFE programs;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s degree in an animal science, biology, or related science field plus up to one year of paid animal care experience is required;
• Bachelor’s degree in an animal science, biology, or related science field preferred;
• Must have knowledge of animal care and basic husbandry skills, and up to one year preferred of exotic animal care experience at an AZA-accredited facility
• Must be a flexible, efficient, self-motivated team player, and solution-oriented: finding creative solutions to complex challenges;
• Must have basic knowledge of research techniques and practices, with solid observation skills;
• Must be capable of practicing, or willing to learn, safe methods of capture and restraint for a variety of taxa (which may include potentially dangerous species);
• Must be able to establish and maintain an effective rapport with all levels of management, employees, interns, volunteers, and zoo guests;
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, following instructions and documenting animal care activities appropriately;
• Ability to represent the Zoo in a professional manner at all times;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with management, other employees & zoo guests;
• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull bend, climb stairs and ladders and carry up to 50 lbs;
• Must be able to work holidays and weekends, both regular and irregular hours as required;
• Regular, reliable and punctual attendance is an essential function of this position;
• Must be able to actively work outdoors in hot or inclement weather;
• Successful candidates must complete pre-employment drug screening, background check and TB test;
• Must have a valid driver’s license to operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this job and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties to be assigned.