Zookeeper I, Primates

Houston Zoo, Inc.; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Zoo is seeking a Zookeeper to support day-to-day husbandry and maintenance of the animals and their enclosures. This role promotes welfare, conservation, guest engagement, and scientific research in alignment with the zoo’s mission.

You will perform feeding, habitat cleaning, enrichment, and documentation; assist with veterinary guidance, participate in keeper chats and demonstrations, and help ensure safety and teamwork across departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of one year of animal care experience at AZA or equivalent facility; may be waived with advanced degrees.
• Must have or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license.
• Diving certification or ability to be certified for select departments.

Responsibilities

• Cares for daily care of assigned animals, including cleaning, feeding, and exhibit upkeep.
• Maintains clean exhibits, holding areas, service areas, and equipment.
• Prepares and feeds appropriate diets per feeding practices and diet sheets.
• Administers prescribed medications or treatments under veterinary/supervisory guidance.
• Records and reports animal health or behavioral issues to Zoo Supervisor.
• Keeps daily records and training/enrichment notes per guidelines; uses standard systems.

Education

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS)

1 year animal care experience

Valid Texas driver’s license

Diving certification or ability to be certified

Job description

6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 6:00 AM

Under the direction of a Zoo Supervisor, the Zookeeper is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations associated with the husbandryand maintenanceof the animals and their enclosures.This roleexercisesthe highest standards of animal welfare, conservation, guest engagement, and scientific research in alignment with the zoo’s mission.

Our Mission: Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.

Our Vision: Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Carries out all aspects of the daily care of assigned animals including cleaning, feeding, exhibit maintenance, and general upkeep of support facilities.
• Maintains clean and organized exhibits, holding areas, service areas and equipment.
• P repares and feeds appropriate diets as per established feeding practices and diet sheets.
• Administers prescribed medications, supplements, or treatments under the guidance of the veterinary and supervisory staff.
• Records and reports any abnormal animal health or behavioral issues to the Zoo Supervisor.
• Maintains daily reports, logs, training and enrichment records, research, or veterinary records, as appropriate and according to established guidelines; requires basic skills with record keeping programs like Species 360 and TRACKS and Microsoft Office software applications.
• Understands and applies behavior-based husbandry; improves the quality of life of animal collection by providing enrichment and training opportunities.
• As appropriate, maintains water quality through filtration, balance of chemical elements, and sanitation methods for aquatic or semi-aquatic animal species.
• As appropriate, maintains live exhibit plantings to enhance exhibit aesthetics; eliminates weeds and toxic plants from animal enclosures.
• In conjunction with the Pest Control team, assists in pest control using exclusion or traps.
• Identifies potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to the Zoo Supervisor.
• P articipates in keeper chats, tours, animal presentations or demonstrations, and/or other public interactions as requested by the Zoo Supervisor.
• Assists with departmental research projects, conservation, AZA, or other industry activities as directed/approved by the Zoo Supervisor or Curator; provides support for Zoo projects.
• O versees work activities and/or provides training for interns, seasonal workers, or volunteers.
• Exhibits good teamwork and communication skills both within the home team and when working with other teams or departments.
• Required to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from four-year college or university;or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in animal care at an AZA or equivalent facility, gained through employment, internships, or volunteer experience. Minimum experience can be waived with advanced degrees (master’s degree and above).
• Experience with providing care for animals, in a conservation setting.
• Must have or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license.
• Must be dive certified or the ability to be certified (select animal departments).
• Must be active members of the dive team to do routine maintenance and cleaning of the aquatic environments, following all dive protocols ( select animal programs).

About Houston Zoo

Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.
Join Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities. Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as a complete inventory of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.

Benefits

Full-time, regular positions are offered the following benefits.

• Medical and Prescription Drug
• Vision
• Basic Life AD&D (100% Employer Paid)
• Short Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Long Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Supplemental Life
• Flexible Spending Account / Health Savings Account
• 401k, with employer match

Full-time and Part-Time, regular positions are offered the following additional benefits.

• Free Zoo Membership
• Free Guest Passes
• Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission and Programs
• Free parking

Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA