Zoologist - Primates

Dallas Zoo Management; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Dallas Zoo is seeking an entry-level animal care staff to support daily animal welfare and husbandry following established protocols. You will assist the primate team, prepare food, maintain exhibits, and help with enrichment and educational programs for guests.

The role involves observing animals, reporting health concerns, and collaborating with veterinary staff while maintaining safety standards for staff and visitors. This is an on-site, full-time position at the Dallas Zoo.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related science field is preferred.
• Solid observation skills and ability to communicate effectively in writing and speaking.
• Flexible, efficient, self-motivated team player capable of creative problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care of assigned animals and exhibits.
• Observe health and behavior; report anomalies to manager/vet staff.
• Prepare and provide food; monitor nutrition and health; administer medications as instructed.
• Maintain sanitation of exhibits and work areas; conduct pest control where needed.
• Provide enrichment and training using operant conditioning where applicable.
• Assist with capture and restraint of various taxa, including potentially dangerous species.
• Update animal records, reports, and surveys for research purposes.
• Assist with transfers and procedures as directed; interact with staff and guests professionally.
• Engage guests through educational presentations on animals, biology, conservation, and environment.

Skills

Observation skills

Effective communication

Team player

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 species in the section: food preparation, feeding, exhibit maintenance, pest control, and reproductive management. 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.

The Primate team cares for a wide array of small-to-large primates, ranging from emperor tamarins to two great ape species (gorillas and chimpanzees). Animal care staff on this team have a strong understanding of both natural and individual behaviors of each primate species and incorporate that information into outstanding animal welfare at all levels, including but not limited to training and enrichment.

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 (ideally with primates);
• 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.