Zookeeper – Elephants/Rhinos (Full Time)

the Memphis Zoo; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Memphis Zoo is seeking a motivated individual to join our Pachyderm Team for daily husbandry and care of elephants, rhinos, zebra, and oryx. This role supports habitat design initiatives and enrichment while delivering engaging guest experiences.

You will observe animal behavior, report illnesses, prepare diets, maintain records, and assist veterinary staff. A collaborative, flexible, and safety-conscious approach is essential in this full-time position.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Some college coursework in Zoology, Biology, Psychology, or related field.
• Experience working with animals in a zoological setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Daily husbandry of assigned animals.
• Facilitates formal and informal public presentations to engage guests and provide a positive guest experience.
• Observes animals’ behavior, noting illness or irregularities and reports to supervisor; collaborates with veterinary staff.
• Prepares and administers daily diets and maintains accurate records.
• Cleans and disinfects enclosures according to protocols and ensures a safe environment.
• Uses sound judgment in decisions affecting the collection; may assist hospital staff with treatments.
• Incorporates behavioral husbandry techniques and environmental enrichment when appropriate.

Skills

Public presentations

Record keeping

Observation of animal behavior

Teamwork

Enrichment

Animal husbandry

Education

High school diploma

Coursework in Zoology/Biology/Psychology

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Summary:

We are currently in search of a motivated individual to join our Pachyderm Team. This position would primarily be responsible for the daily husbandry and care of African elephants, Southern White Rhinos, Grant’s Zebra and Scimitar-Horned Oryx.

Now is an exciting time to join our team as we begin the process of designing a new Africa habitat, which would include new exhibits for our elephants, rhinos, giraffes and other area hoofstock. This renovation and expansion will serve to further the Memphis Zoo’s commitment to elephants in the future. The ideal candidate would be proficient in all aspects of zoo animal care including husbandry, enrichment, training, exhibit maintenance, record keeping, public presentations, and conservation. Candidates for this position should be self-motivated, hard-working, positive, dependable, who can work independently, but also thrive in a team setting.

Essential Job Functions:

• Daily husbandry of assigned animals.
• Facilitates formal and informal public presentations to engage guests and provide a positive guest experience.
• Actively observes animals’ behavior, checking for any signs of illness or disorder; reports irregularities and abnormal behavior to supervisor; works with vet staff to address medical needs.
• Prepares and administers appropriate daily diets and maintain accurate records of assigned animals.
• Appropriately cleans and disinfects assigned animal enclosures/habitats according to written protocols and ensures a sanitary and safe environment.
• Exercises good judgement when making decisions that affect our collection.
• Assists hospital staff in all aspects of animal treatment within the assigned section.
• May incorporate modern behavioral husbandry techniques such as operant conditioning and environmental enrichment into animal care.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High school diploma.
• Some college level coursework in the fields of Zoology, Biology, Psychology, or related field.
• Experience working with animals (preferably rhinos or similar large taxa) in a zoological setting and/or similar experience working large mammals in the field of agriculture

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Previous experience working with elephants and/or rhinos in a captive setting.

Competencies:

• Written and Oral Communication.
• Proficient in MS office, current technology and applications for communication, research, and record keeping.
• Records and Reports Creation and Management.
• Problem Solving/Analysis.
• Stress Management/Composure.
• Flexibility.
• Teamwork Orientation.

Supervisory Responsibility:

None.

Reporting Structure:

Reports to Associate Curator, Team Lead.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full-time positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager.

This position is considered non-exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.

Scheduling Availability Requirements:

This position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays, holidays, and weekends.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of the job, the employee will frequently work in outdoor settings (Zoo grounds). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This position requires frequent sitting/standing/walking/bending/kneeling and may occasionally move or lift objects up to 50 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Other Requirements:

• 18 years or older.
• Clear background check.
• Clear drug screening.
• Clear TB screening.

Benefits & Perks

The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.

EEOC and Inclusion Statement:

The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.

The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at [e-mail].

The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.