Wildlife Care & Behavior Specialist - Public Encounters

San Diego Zoo Safari Park; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance seeks a Wildlife Care Specialist Behavior to train and care for ambassador wildlife for public programs and educational events. The role supports mission-driven care and conservation messaging with positive handling and safety as priorities.

The position involves training wildlife, presenting programs to the public, maintaining habitats, and assisting medical staff while ensuring safety and accurate record-keeping across daily duties.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience working with free-contact ambassador wildlife.
• Experience presenting wildlife in a public setting and public speaking experience preferred.
• A degree in biology, zoology, life sciences, or related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Trains wildlife in new behaviors and reinforces trained behaviors.
• Prepares wildlife for a variety of stimuli, location and health maintenance using positive methods and participation from the animal.
• Prepares and feeds wildlife.
• Conducts special tours.
• Manages wildlife to ensure public safety.
• Transports wildlife to habitat or location for sharing conservation/sustainability messaging; assists handlers, set up props, stages or other areas.
• Assists medical staff in treatment of assigned wildlife.
• Makes informational presentations to the public.
• Cleans and maintains habitats and work areas.
• Administers prescribed medication and nutritional supplements.
• Keeps feeding, medication and other records regarding wildlife care.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public regarding assigned wildlife

Skills

Wildlife handling

Public speaking

Education

Biology degree

Zoology degree

Life sciences degree

Job description

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance seeks a Wildlife Care Specialist Behavior to train and care for ambassador wildlife for public programs and educational events. The role supports mission-driven care and conservation messaging with positive handling and safety as priorities.

The position involves training wildlife, presenting programs to the public, maintaining habitats, and assisting medical staff while ensuring safety and accurate record-keeping across daily duties.