Zoologist

Zoological Society of The Palm Beaches; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent benefits package

Zoo membership

Free admission to other Florida at tr"

Job summary

Palm Beach Zoo is seeking an experienced animal care professional to uphold husbandry standards, support welfare, and engage guests with animal encounters. The role emphasizes teamwork, safety, and collaboration with veterinary staff in a dynamic, conservation‑moused environment.

The ideal candidate has at least 2 years in a zoological setting, a biology‑related degree, and the ability to handle diverse species while complying with AZA, USDA, and FWC regulations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ paid experience in a zoological facility caring for animals.
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Psychology or related field is preferred.
• Experience with husbandry and behavior of birds, mammals and primates.
• Physically able to lift at least 50 pounds in a South Florida climate.
• Must have valid driver’s license and be able to work weekends, holidays and events.

Responsibilities

• Perform animal husbandry tasks for terrestrial animals (mammals, birds, primates, reptiles).
• Clean, maintain and improve animal care facilities and service areas.
• Observe welfare outputs to increase mental stimulation and enrichment.
• Plan and prepare nutritious diets for animals.
• Assist veterinary team during procedures and health diagnostics.
• Maintain animal records (feeding, diets, breeding, health).
• Communicate safety concerns to staff.
• Participate in animal handling for transfers and procedures.
• Engage visitors with informal animal encounters and talks.
• Assist in exhibit design discussions and collection planning.
• Provide guest presentations and educational programs.

Skills

Animal care

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Research writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology or related field

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Vehicle operation

Job description

Contact information

• Name HR
• Phone [phone]
• Email [e-mail]

Description

Join Us at the Zoo!

We are committed to saving wildlife in wild places. Our mission is to help create connections between our guests and animals to inspire awe and action on behalf of wildlife. Every employee at Palm Beach Zoo contributes to our wildlife-saving mission. We work with local conservation partners in Florida as well as assist with international programs in Africa and Central America. Palm Beach Zoo is also proud to have our own coral conservation dive team. Our programs extend well beyond our lush, 23-acre property. We believe that anyone can be a wildlife hero. Whoever you are, wherever you are from, you are welcome here. We are in the process of re-imagining our beautiful tropical Zoo and are looking to bring in new expertise and enthusiasm.

The Zoo staff works in a positive, team-oriented environment to support our mission to inspire people to act on behalf of wildlife. Zoologists promote increased environmental awareness and conservation through excellent animal care and management practices, coupled with positive visitor experiences.

The ideal candidate will have a strong animal care background with a deep experience in operant conditioning, welfare input/outputs, habitat design criteria, animal nutrition and animal social interactions, including introductions and breeding. They will also have experience engaging visitors with formal and informal animal encounters where they share their passion for animal wellness and the preservation of wild places. Finally, they will demonstrate a solid track record of workplace competency performance, including communication, teamwork, efficiency, emotional intelligence, leadership, planning, change management and administration.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform animal husbandry tasks (feed, clean, train, etc) for terrestrial animals (mammals, birds, primates, reptiles)
• Clean, maintain and improve animal care facilities, including service areas and surrounding spaces
• Enhance the welfare of the animals by observing and understanding animal behaviors and analyzing welfare outputs to increase mental stimulation and choice within the animal’s environment
• Plan, prepare and feed out nutritious diets
• Assist veterinary team during animal health diagnostic and care procedures
• Complete animal records including: animal feeding habits, diets, breeding behavior, health status, physical conditions, enrichment and training
• Communicate safety and health concerns to appropriate staff
• Participate in the capture and restraint of animals for transfer and veterinary procedures
• Participate in animal behavioral training program and commit to learning training techniques
• Design and execute behavioral shaping plans for all animals under their care
• Participate in exhibit concept design and collection planning discussions
• Provide informal guest presentations
• Initiate informal talks and encounters
• Participate in educational programs as assigned
• Handle program animals for events and encounters
• Participate in drills and emergency response and provide feedback on the experience - as needed
• Safely operate vans, pickup trucks, golf carts, hand tools, power tools, personal computers, laboratory equipment and general office equipment
• Proactively seek out experiences and information to enhance professional skills and knowledge

Requirements

Job Requirement

• Minimum of 2 years’ paid experience in a zoological facility caring for animals
• Bachelor’s degree (Biology, Psychology or a related field) is preferred
• Experience with the husbandry and behavior of a variety of birds, mammals and primates
• Physically able to stoop, bend, reach, lift, carry or push at least 50 pounds in a South Florida climate
• Must have valid driver’s license, able to work weekends, holidays, and special events as needed
• Demonstrated ability to research and write effectively
• Participation in AZA programs and other zoo-related organizations
• Use hand and power tools for minor carpentry and habitat modification projects
• Demonstrated initiative and problem solving
• Competence in behavior analysis and animal training
• Excellent communication skills with co-workers, managers and veterinary staff
• Be familiar with AZA, USDA and FWC regulations and expectations
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug screening

COMPETENCIES

• Integrity/Trust - Maintaining social, ethical, and organizational values and norms; building trust and confidence with the staff and with internal and external customers; respecting the confidentiality of personal and proprietary information.
• Initiative - Taking actions to achieve goals; self-starting and proactive; asserting oneself to support others in the achievement of their goals; originating action rather than responding only to the actions of others; anticipating the needs of both internal and external constituencies.
• Customer Focus - Demonstrates courtesy, cooperation and friendliness with staff, volunteers and customers. Actively listens, anticipates and evaluates the customer’s needs. Ensures that customer satisfaction is a priority in all areas of responsibility. Actively engages our customers while fulfilling job responsibilities.
• Analysis - Obtaining relevant information and identifying key issues and relationships from a base of information; comparing data from different sources (both interactive and written); defining underlying problems or opportunities and recognizing trends; defining and structuring functions and teams based on key strategies and goals.
• Teamwork - Supporting, facilitating, and participating in activities that promote team effectiveness; demonstrating sensitivity for the feelings and needs of team members and supporting team goals.
• Professional/Technical Knowledge and Competency - Remains current on developments in the field within and outside the organization; maintains proficiencies
• Planning and Organizing - Establishing a course of action with specific long-range goals for the Zoo; setting priorities among competing requirements and allocating resources in the most efficient and effective way; developing contingency plans that participate changes in the work environment.
• Diversity and Inclusion - Demonstrates behaviors that includes fairness, respect, inclusiveness, empathy, integrity, and ethical conduct. Fosters a climate and culture in which each person is accepted and has the opportunity to grow and develop. Practices behaviors that promote diversity and inclusion in dealings with and on behalf of the Zoo, consistent with laws, regulations, and Zoo policies.
• Collaboration - Works well with people outside their immediate work group.

Summary

What We Offer

• A competitive salary, commensurate with your skills and experience
• An EXCELLENT benefits package (current year/plan), which includes:
  • 100% paid employee-level coverage for designated medical & dental plan
  • 100% paid coverage for 100K of life insurance
  • 100% paid short-term disability
  • 100% paid long-term disability
• 401K - Employer contributes 3% of your salary
• Optional vision, accident and critical illness coverages available through pre-tax payroll deductions
• Generous paid time off policy, Zoo Membership and FREE admission to other Florida Attractions!

The position will be open until filled. We will contact qualified candidates whom we have chosen to move forward in the interview process.

Palm Beach Zoo is an equal opportunity and drug-free employer and makes all employment decisions, including those related to recruitment, hiring, training and promotion without regard to race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.