Zookeeper III, Elephants

Houston Zoo; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Houston Zoo is seeking a Zookeeper to support daily husbandry and enclosure maintenance within a specified animal program. This role coordinates program objectives and contributes to dive-team tasks for aquatic environments.

Duties include daily care and feeding, exhibit upkeep, medication administration under veterinary guidance, and thorough record keeping. The position emphasizes enrichment, operant conditioning, teamwork, and public interaction as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) in zoology, biology, animal husbandry or a related field.
• Six years of experience in animal care at an AZA or equivalent facility, gained through employment or internships.
• Experience with basic carpentry and mechanical skills.
• Must have or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Care for daily husbandry of assigned animals, including feeding and enclosure maintenance.
• Maintain exhibits, service areas, and equipment in clean, organized condition.
• Prepare diets as per established feeding practices and diet sheets.
• Administer medications and treatments under veterinary supervision.
• Record health, behavior, and enrichment data in logs.
• Support divers for aquatic environments and follow dive protocols.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Leadership

Operant conditioning

Animal enrichment

TRACKS

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in zoology/biology/animal husbandry

Six years of animal care experience

AZA facility experience

Carpentry and mechanical skills

Texas driver’s license

Job description

Under the direction of a Zoo Supervisor, the Zookeeper is responsible for supporting the day‑to‑day operations associated with the husbandry of the animals and the maintenance of animal enclosures within a specified Houston Zoo animal program. This position will coordinate all program objectives in addition to day‑to‑day husbandry and enclosure maintenance. Members of the Aquarium and Sea Lion/Penguin team will need to be active members on the dive team to do routine maintenance and cleaning of the aquatic environments, following all dive protocols.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Carries out all aspects of the daily care of assigned animals including cleaning, feeding, exhibit maintenance, general upkeep of support facilities.

Maintains clean and organized exhibits, holding areas, service areas and equipment.

Prepares 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 TRACKS and Microsoft Office software applications.

Understands and applies a practical understanding of operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under his/her care.

Understands and applies the basic principles of animal enrichment as part of the daily management of species under his/her care.

Maintains clean and organized exhibits, equipment, and keeper areas.

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 Zoo’s pest control officer, may assist in pest control using exclusion or traps.

Identifies potential maintenance or safety issues and reports them to the Zoo Supervisor.

Participates in keeper chats, tours, animal presentations or demonstrations, and/or other public interactions as requested by the Zoo Supervisor.

May assist with departmental research projects, conservation, AZA, or other industry activities as directed/approved by the Zoo Supervisor or Curator; provides support for the Zoo projects.

Exhibits good teamwork and communication skills both within the home team and when working with other teams or departments.

May be required to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Demonstrates proficiency in all duties and all assigned work areas within a specified timeframe.

Serves as a point of contact for area staff, veterinarians, Facilities staff, and/or other departments in the absence of a Zoo Supervisor.

Assists with training, mentoring, and may oversee and direct activities of interns, volunteers, and other area Keepers.

Assists Zoo Supervisors in the oversight of team projects.

Assists in the development and implementation of area standard operating guidelines.

Assumes select supervisory duties in the absence of Zoo Supervisors.

Serves as a positive role model for interns, volunteers, and other keepers and staff.

Demonstrates a clear understanding of the roles AZA zoos play in conservation and saving animals in the wild.

Actively pursues feedback and other resources to improve leadership skills and helps to improve such skills in other team members.

Contributes to saving animals in the wild through reduction of waste, water and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife protecting actions.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from a four‑year college or university in zoology, biology, animal husbandry or a related field.

Experience and education may be considered equivalent at the rate of six months of experience per 15 hours of college level credit, up to 60 hours.

A certificate of completion from an acceptable animal care program may be substituted for a Bachelor's degree.

Six years of experience in animal care at an AZA or equivalent facility, gained through employment or internships.

Experience with basic carpentry and mechanical skills.

Must have or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license.

Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer