Zookeeper - Primates/Children's Zoo

Tulsa Zoo Management; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading organization as a Zookeeper in Tulsa, where you will care for primates and engage with guests. This full-time role includes maintaining exhibits, preparing diets, and assisting veterinary staff. Enjoy benefits like medical coverage and a zoo membership while contributing to wildlife advocacy and education.

Benefits

Free family-level Tulsa Zoo membership

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401k

Unlimited virtual visits with a mental health therapist

Food, beverage, and retail discounts

Generous paid time off plans

Qualifications

• Must be 18+, valid driver’s license, insurable.
• 6 months+ exotic animal experience required.

Responsibilities

• Daily care, maintenance, and observation of assigned animal collection.
• Clean exhibits and prepare diets.
• Assist veterinary staff with treatments and medical procedures.

Skills

Communication

Basic math skills

Education

Bachelor’s in related field

Tools

MS Word

Excel

ZIMS

Job description

Your Role: Zookeeper – Primates/Children’s Zoo

Your Manager: Zoological Manager

Your Pay Structure (FLSA Status): Full-time, hourly/nonexempt

Safety Sensitive: This is a safety-sensitive position. Regardless of whether you are a medical marijuana licensee, you must receive a negative result on a 10-panel, pre-placement drug screening to include THC, prior to beginning work.

The Zoo

Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. (TZMI) is a nonprofit organization driven by our mission of Connecting, Caring, Advocating for Wildlife, People, and Wild Places. From trumpeting elephants to squawking parrots, each member of our team is integral to the success of the Zoo as Green Country’s largest paid daily attraction. At Tulsa Zoo, the IDEA is a zoo for all. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. Join us to care for animals, educate the public, and manage the Zoo’s grounds, operations, and facilities year-round.

A Few of Your Many Benefits

• Free family-level Tulsa Zoo membership
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits beginning your first day of employment
• 401k
• Unlimited virtual visits with a mental health therapist at no cost to you
• Food, beverage, and retail discounts on zoo grounds
• Generous paid time off plans

Your Job

Zookeeper – Primates/Children’s Zoo is responsible for the daily care, maintenance, and observation of assigned animal collection and facilities. Involves exhibit maintenance, diet prep, conservation breeding, veterinary procedures, animal training, enrichment, education, and guest engagement.

Your Essential Responsibilities

Disability accommodations will be provided to enable performance of duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• Clean exhibits, service areas, and holding units daily using appropriate tools and disinfectants.
• Prepare and feed diets, manage inventory, and order supplies as needed.
• Maintain exhibits and facilities, including repairs and enhancements.
• Ensure safety and visual appeal of exhibits for animals, staff, and visitors.
• Design and construct exhibit features, including installing nest boxes, plants, and privacy barriers.
• Handle animals for restraint, medical procedures, or transport as directed.
• Assist veterinary staff with treatments, weighing, and medical procedures.
• Observe and record animal health, behavior, and environmental conditions daily.
• Monitor and maintain life support systems.
• Identify and report maintenance needs for safety and functionality.
• Conduct training and enrichment activities, including crate training and behavior conditioning.
• Research and implement breeding and environmental strategies.
• Assist with animal acquisitions and transfers.
• Supervise volunteers and interns, ensuring safety and task completion.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including cross-department support and emergency response.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct reports.

What We Expect

Required Qualifications, Education and/or Experience

• Must be 18+, valid driver’s license, insurable.
• Availability for weekends, evenings, holidays.
• Bachelor’s in related field or equivalent experience, including 6 months+ exotic animal experience.
• Ability to understand safety and maintenance documents; effective communication skills.

• Basic math skills.
• Experience working with potentially dangerous animals.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and internet browsers; ZIMS knowledge a plus.

What You can Expect

Our Values

• Enthusiastic commitment to the Tulsa Zoo community.
• Teamwork to support the Zoo’s mission.
• Valuing everyone and fostering a safe, respectful environment.
• Accountability for excellence.
• Building trust through honesty and respect.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Constant movement, standing, reaching, and hand use.
• Frequent outdoor weather exposure, noise, and handling of animals and equipment.