Zoologist - Ectotherms

Dallas Zoo Management; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Dallas Zoo seeks an entry-level zoologist to provide care for ectotherm species, follow established protocols, prepare food, maintain exhibits and support environmental enrichment.

You will work with a large team, observe animal health, assist with training, and help guest tours and outreach while complying with AZA and USDA standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or related science preferred.
• At least one year of exotic animal care experience at an AZA-accredited facility preferred.
• Flexible, efficient, self-motivated team player with problem-solving skills.
• Strong observation skills; ability to document animal care accurately.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for assigned animals and exhibits to ensure health and welfare.
• Observe health and behavior; report abnormalities to manager or veterinary staff.
• Prepare and provide food; deliver water and administer medications as instructed.
• Clean exhibits and equipment; maintain sanitation and report defects.
• Provide enrichment and training using operant conditioning where applicable.
• Assist with animal transfers and procedures; interact with staff and volunteers.
• Educate guests through presentations focused on wildlife, biology, conservation.

Skills

Teamwork

Observation skills

Written and oral communication

Safety awareness

Basic husbandry

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or related science

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

This is an entry-level position in animal care, following established protocols to provide outstanding animal care for ectotherm species: food preparation, feeding, exhibit maintenance, pest control, and reproductive management. As part of a large team, Zoologists participate in operant conditioning and husbandry programs, provide approved environmental enrichment, work collaboratively to improve animal exhibits, and prepare and conduct educational presentations and tours for zoo guests.

Representative species in the care of the Dallas Zoo Ectotherm team include Galápagos tortoises, crocodile monitors, Texas blind salamanders, mantellas, butterflies, tarantulas, and more.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide overall daily care of assigned animals and exhibits to ensure animal health, safety, and welfare, staff and public safety as set forth by AZA, USDA, and DZM to include:
• Observe and monitor animals’ general health and behavior, reporting any abnormal behavior to manager and/or veterinary staff;
• Prepare and provide food for assigned animals, following written instructions, provide water and administer medication as instructed to ensure proper nutrition and health;
• Clean animal exhibits, holding pens, food prep areas, and equipment, maintaining a high level of sanitation, conducting pest control activities and reporting any mechanical defects that would endanger the animal, zoo staff, and/or guests;
• Achieve the highest standards of animal welfare and wellness by providing environmental enrichment and training sessions, using operant conditioning, as applicable;
• Participate in or assist with the capture and restraint of a variety of taxa including dangerous species
• Prepare and update animal records, reports and surveys, assisting in research projects as necessary to ensure thorough documentation and enhanced knowledge of animal biology;
• Perform general maintenance and repair of exhibits: painting, repairing fences and shelters, abating erosion, planting ground cover and removing weeds;
• Provide assistance with animal transfers and/or procedures as directed;
• Interact positively and professionally with animal care and veterinary staff and volunteers;
• Actively encourage interest in wildlife through positive interaction with zoo guests via educational presentations focused on animals, biology, conservation, and environmental issues;
• Utilize the enrichment item/device proposal form to create new enrichment ideas and items to be added to taxa repertoires and properly record the results of enrichment items after each use;
• Collaborate with other zoo personnel as needed to meet the zoo’s mission. This can include, but is not limited to, assisting and participating in media events, special tours, and public relations projects;
• Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees, and work groups;
• Understand and support Dallas Zoo’s Strategic and Master Plans and departmental collection plans;
• Study specific reference materials pertinent to animal care, behavior and natural history as assigned;
• Follow all safety protocols and understand the animal keeper's role in emergency procedures, responding to emergencies as required;

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related science field is preferred;
• Must have knowledge of animal care and basic husbandry skills, and at least one year preferred of exotic animal care experience at an AZA-accredited facility
• Must be a flexible, efficient, self-motivated team player, and solution-oriented: finding creative solutions to complex challenges;
• Must have basic knowledge of research techniques and practices, with solid observation skills;
• Must be capable of practicing, or willing to learn, safe methods of capture and restraint for a variety of taxa (which may include potentially dangerous species);
• Must be able to establish and maintain an effective rapport with all levels of management, employees, interns, volunteers, and zoo guests;
• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, following instructions and documenting animal care activities appropriately;
• Ability to represent the Zoo in a professional manner at all times;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with management, other employees & zoo guests;
• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull bend, climb stairs and ladders and carry up to 50 lbs;
• Must be able to work holidays and weekends, both regular and irregular hours as required;
• Regular, reliable and punctual attendance is an essential function of this position;
• Must be able to actively work outdoors in hot or inclement weather;
• Successful candidates must complete pre-employment drug screening, background check and TB test;
• Must have a valid driver’s license to operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this job and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties to be assigned.