VHE Animal Keeper

Oregon Metro; Oregon; On-site; USD 37,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Metro's Oregon Zoo is seeking an Africa area Keeper to support daily care, enrichment, training, and welfare for a diverse range of African wildlife, from large carnivores to ungulates. You will contribute to conservation efforts and guest experiences while adhering to high standards of husbandry and safety.

The role emphasizes animal welfare, precise record keeping, and collaboration with a dedicated care team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in animal science, biology, zoology or related field.
• Three years professional animal keeper experience with a variety of African species, including large carnivores and ungulates.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily husbandry and specialized animal care for a diverse collection of African species.
• Coordinate upkeep, cleaning and disinfecting animal areas and keeper spaces.
• Oversee feeding duties and report on diet consumption and modifications as needed.

Education

Bachelor degree in animal science / biology / zoology

3 years professional animal keeper experience with African species

Job description

This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM on October 6th, 2026, or once 100 applications have been received, whichever occurs first. Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure consideration.

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Join the Oregon Zoo as a Variable Hour Animal Keeper and help care for an incredible collection of African wildlife, from carnivores and small mammals to iconic large herbivores such as giraffes and rhinos. In this role, you will support the daily care, enrichment, training, and welfare of diverse species while contributing to conservation efforts and exceptional guest experiences. Working alongside a dedicated animal care team, you'll play a key role in maintaining high standards of husbandry and promoting the health and well-being of animals that represent some of Africa's most remarkable ecosystems. This is an exciting opportunity for motivated individuals who are passionate about animal care, conservation, and making a meaningful impact every day.

As an Africa area Keeper you will:

• Perform daily husbandry and specialized animal care responsibilities for a diverse collection of African species, including Potentially Deadly Animals (PDAs) such as lions, African painted dogs, and rhinos.
• Consistently apply safe, effective, and professional animal management practices while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, staff safety, and operational excellence.
• Coordinate, oversee and perform upkeep, cleaning, and disinfecting animal areas, keeper areas and related facilities.
• Conduct daily perimeter checks and maintain the security and safety of animal areas, initiating corrections for any deficiencies or safety concerns.
• Oversee and perform feeding duties, including preparing prescribed species-appropriate diets, and make precise reports on food consumption and recommendation on diet modifications as needed.
• Administer prescribed medications, observe animals for responses and communicate findings with veterinarian and supervisor.
• Design, develop, and implement enrichment programs tailored to species' natural biology and individual animal needs. This includes brainstorming and researching, presentation and obtaining approvals, fabrication and formulations, and tests and observations to continually assess effectiveness of enhancing animal welfare.
• Assist in developing and updating animal care plans, protocols and procedures.
• Assist with the capture, restraint or segregation of animals for medical treatment, research or transfer.

Attributes for success:

• Knowledge of species’ natural history and current industry care standards, including feeding strategies, introduction methods, breeding and rearing practices, social management, training practices and strategies and engaging enrichment.
• Ability to identify and assess normal and abnormal behaviors, including reproductive behavior, eating habits, group aggression issues, and health problems.
• Skilled in using animal training and conditioning techniques to facilitate participation and cooperation with medical procedures.
• Knowledge of safety protocols, including appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), lockouts/tagouts, signage, baffle boards and other capture equipment, hot wire, CO2 canisters and fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and other emergency response tools.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with team members, supervisors and the public.
• Strong teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and contribute to a positive team atmosphere in a close, team-oriented environment as well as work independently. Mentor adult and teenage volunteers, interns, and students.
• Ability to safely conduct informative and professional tours through area of responsibility.
• Experience in maintaining accurate records on animal health, behavior, diet, inventory and conservation data for reports and research.
• Ability to develop, present and assist others in educational messaging to the public through keeper chats and animal encounters.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in animal science, biology, zoology or related field, AND
• Three years professional animal keeper experience working with a variety of African species, including large carnivores and ungulates OR
• Any combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for the position.

Required:

• Possession of a valid Driver’s License

Additional medical testing and/or immunizations (not already stated in this announcement) may be required as the duties of this position may require close contact with animal areas and enclosures where animals may be present.

Working Conditions:

Duties may require prolonged strenuous efforts in inclement weather conditions and other adverse conditions. May need to lift up to 50 pounds without assistance.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications:

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Experience working in a team environment.
• Experience working with and around large potentially dangerous animals.
• Experience performing strenuous tasks in adverse weather conditions.
• Experience operating heavy equipment.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application.
• Answers to supplemental questions

We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference check
• Driving records check and TB testing for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATON

The rate of pay for this position is $31.78.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by LiUNA 483. It is classified as an Animal Keeper (VHE).

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Sarah Winters

Email: [e-mail]

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Non-discrimination?in hiring decisions

Metro is committed to equal employment?opportunity?and?complies with?all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions – including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation – must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.??

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do.Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics.

Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.