Animal Keeper

Z&A Management • Full-time • Woodbridge, New Jersey, United States • USD $20 - USD $22 / hour • 3w ago

Position Summary:

The Animal Keeper is an animal care position responsible for supporting daily husbandry operations while actively contributing to guest education and immersive experiences. This role focuses on learning foundational animal care routines, safety protocols, and approved animal education messaging while working under the guidance of senior staff.

Animal Keeper team members are expected to understand that animal welfare, guest experience, and education are interconnected. From day one, this role supports the organization’s mission by delivering safe, compassionate animal care while engaging guests in meaningful, mission-aligned interactions.

Primary Responsibilities:

Guest Interaction & Education:

Engage guests in a friendly, professional, and approachable manner while working in public areas
Share basic, approved animal stories and educational messaging aligned with the organization’s mission
Explain animal care activities to guests in an age-appropriate and accessible way
Maintain awareness of guest safety, exhibit boundaries, and crowd behavior
Know when to pause tasks or seek support to prioritize animal welfare or guest experience

Animal Care & Husbandry:

Assist with daily animal care tasks including feeding, cleaning, habitat maintenance, and enrichment preparation
Follow established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety guidelines, and animal welfare standards
Observe animals daily and promptly report changes in behavior, appetite, or health to senior staff
Maintain clean, organized, and safe animal habitats
Support routine animal movements and care activities under supervision

Mission & Conservation Support:

Demonstrate understanding of the organization’s mission, values, and conservation goals
Communicate the importance of animal welfare, education, and stewardship to guests
Represent the organization positively and professionally at all times
Understand how daily animal care contributes to conservation, education, and guest connection

Safety & Compliance:

Follow all safety protocols, PPE requirements, and emergency procedures
Maintain situational awareness in animal and guest-facing environments
Immediately report safety concerns, incidents, or near-misses
Participate in emergency response drills and required safety training

Training & Development:

Complete all required onboarding and Level 1 training modules
Participate actively in hands-on training
Demonstrate growth in animal knowledge, handling skills, and guest engagement
Ask questions and seek feedback to support ongoing development

Teamwork & Professionalism:

Work collaboratively with other Animal Keepers, Guest Services, and leadership
Communicate clearly and respectfully with team members and supervisors
Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and accountability
Accept feedback professionally and apply it consistently

Qualifications:

Required:

Degree in Zoology, Marine Biology, Animal Sciences, or a related field.
Interest in animal care, education, conservation, or related field.
Ability to work in a guest-facing environment.
Willingness to learn and follow established procedures.
Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and work outdoors for extended periods.

Preferred:

Prior experience with animals, education, or customer-facing roles.
Coursework or education in biology, animal science, education, or related fields.

Physical & Environmental Requirements:

Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.
Ability to work around animals, water features, cleaning chemicals, and food prep areas
Ability to remain alert and responsive in dynamic guest environments

Success in This Role Looks Like:

Consistently completes assigned tasks safely and accurately
Engages guests in positive, mission-aligned interactions
Demonstrates steady progress in animal care skills and knowledge
Builds trust with teammates and leadership

Schedule Expectations:
This position requires flexibility in scheduling, including regular weekend availability. Team members should expect to work a combination of weekdays, weekends, and holidays based on operational needs. Schedules may vary week to week, and reliable attendance during assigned shifts is essential.