Zoologist

Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society in West Palm Beach is seeking an experienced Animal Care Professional to perform feeding, cleaning, training, and welfare assessments for diverse species. You will support veterinary care, maintain records, and contribute to enrichment and exhibit planning.

The role requires at least 2 years in a zoological setting, a preferred biology or related degree, and willingness to work weekends.

Qualifications

• 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 husbandry and behavior of birds, mammals and primates
• Physically able to lift at least 50 pounds in Florida climate
• Must have valid driver’s license and be able to work weekends/holidays
• AZA programs participation encouraged
• Ability to use hand and power tools for habitat projects
• Proven initiative and problem solving
• Competence in behavior analysis and animal training
• Excellent communication with staff and veterinary team
• Familiarity with AZA/USDA/FWC regulations

Responsibilities

• Perform animal husbandry tasks (feed, clean, train) for terrestrial animals
• Clean and improve animal care facilities and service areas
• Observe welfare and increase mental stimulation through enrichment
• Plan, prepare and feed nutritious diets
• Assist veterinary team during health and care procedures
• Maintain animal records (feeding, diets, health, enrichment)
• Communicate safety/health concerns to staff
• Assist in capture, restraint for transfer and procedures
• Participate in behavioral training programs
• Design and execute behavioral shaping plans
• Contribute to exhibit concept design discussions
• Provide informal guest presentations
• Lead informal talks/encounters
• Participate in educational programs as assigned
• Handle program animals for events
• Participate in drills and emergency response
• Operate vehicles, tools and lab equipment safely
• Pursue opportunities to enhance professional skills

Skills

Animal husbandry

Observation of welfare

Safety awareness

Communication

Teamwork

AZA/USDA regulations familiarity

Driving/operating vehicles

Research and writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred (Biology/ Psychology or related)

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Laboratory equipment

Vans/vehicles operation

Job description

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!

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

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.