Animal Keeper I, II, Senior Keeper
Department: Animal Care FLSA: Nonexempt - Benefited
EEOC Class: Labors and Helpers WC Code: 9102 Park Operations
Starting Pay: $19.50 - $25.00 depending on experience
Utah’s Hogle Zoo is hiring one Animal Keeper for the Ambassador team. Candidates may apply based on their experience level. Please note interview process will differ based on position.
POSITION SUMMARY
Performs all aspects of daily care, husbandry, and wellbeing of exotic and/or domestic animals. This includes cleaning, maintaining guest areas, service areas, holding areas, and exhibit areas. Maintains extensive animal records relating to health, diet, behavior, and overall wellbeing. Supports Utah’s Hogle Zoo’s (UHZ) conservation efforts.
The animal care department prioritizes the development and sustainability of a kind and well-balanced team culture to create environments where teams, individuals, and animals thrive.
At the zoo we look for employees who are passionate about conservation, who approach their daily work with a can-do attitude, who are resourceful, who communicate respectfully with everyone, and are ready to work hard supporting the zoo’s mission of creating champions for wildlife by making connections between people and animals to inspire action.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This position reports to the Animal Care Supervisor.
PERKS
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and other supplemental insurance.
The Zoo is a part of the Utah Retirement System (URS) with a choice between pension and 401k.
$3000 relocation allowance for qualifying new employees.
Vacation days: New employees accrue up to 13 days annually of vacation time. Additional accruals begin after 5 years of employment.
Sick days: Accrue up to 10 days annually of sick time.
Nine paid holidays in the year.
Employee Assistance Program for employees and their families paid for by the Zoo.
Employee long-term disability insurance paid for by the Zoo.
Various employee reimbursements and contributions including wellness activities and professional development.
Every employee receives a free Zoo Card that allows admission to the employee and up to 5 guests. It also provides free carousel and train rides, as well as free admittance to ZooLights and BooLights.
50% discount on concessions and 33.3% discount on gift shops items.
Tickets at Work membership, which provides discounts and offers on theme parks, shows, sporting events, and travel.
Awesome coworkers who care about animals and each other!
Keeper I
This entry-level position focuses on learning the foundations of animal care and interpersonal skills. Consistent oversight from the Animal Care Supervisor and support from more senior staff is expected. A Keeper I demonstrates comprehension and foundational application of technical skills, resilience, proper judgement in assigned roles.
Keeper II
Minimum of two years of full-time-equivalent professional animal care and management. This level of keeper demonstrates an elevation of Keeper I. They progressively demonstrate more consistent competency in the execution of essential responsibilities and expectations including improved technical skills, resilience, adaptability, and proper judgment in assigned roles.
Senior Keeper
Requires effective demonstration of established and proven level of technical skills. Senior keepers will carry over all essential responsibilities of a Keeper I and II in the areas of attendance and availability, animal husbandry & wellbeing, safety and compliance, communication, collaboration, and professional relationships, professional conduct and organization representation, problem solving and continuous improvement, self-awareness and accountability. This level consistently demonstrates advanced technical expertise, resilience, adaptability, and proper judgment.
Senior keepers will show a clear and consistent commitment to proficiency in training peers to perform technical skills. Senior keepers have an increased expectation of consistently modeling a kind and well-balanced attitude and engagement in continuing education opportunities and required training.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILTIES - Progressive by position
Attendance and Availability
Keeper I
-
Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality.
-
Work assigned hours, weekend, holidays, and events.
-
Follow Animal Care sick call procedures.
-
Eligible to cross train in other areas of animal care as assigned.
Keeper II &Senior Keeper
-
Work late shifts on a rotational basis and as needed.
-
Cross train in other areas of animal care as assigned.
Animal Husbandry and Wellbeing
Keeper I & II
-
Perform all operations and procedures for assigned areas
-
Effectively monitor the health, behavior, and overall condition of assigned animals and communicate to all stakeholders in a timely manner; and administer medications as prescribed or directed by veterinarians.
-
Demonstrate and maintain a current understanding of animal natural history, terminology, and individual and species-specific wellbeing indicators.
-
Demonstrate consistent effort toward completing assigned training goals.
-
Meet or exceed standards in animal husbandry, health, wellbeing activities, record keeping, task prioritization, and research in assigned areas.
-
Clean and maintain all assigned areas and surrounding spaces to the highest professional standards consistently
Senior Keeper
-
Demonstrate and maintain an advanced and current understanding of animal natural history, terminology, and individual and species-specific wellbeing indicators.
-
Apply and model progressive animal training and enrichment techniques
-
Clean and maintain all assigned areas and surrounding spaces to the highest professional standards consistently.
Keeper I
-
Responsible for reading, comprehending, and applying policies and procedures.
-
Reliably document and report all atypical events and incidents.
-
Collaborate with ACS to maintain familiarity and comply with all applicable laws, Animal Welfare Act standards, OSHA regulations, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation standards and related policies, as well as occupational health and safety procedures and practices.
-
Perform responsibilities in a manner which demonstrates prioritization of safety.
Keeper II
-
Eligible to hold a key within the 2 key 2 lock areas and shift potentially dangerous animals.
-
Fully participates in 2 key 2 lock processes and protocols as assigned.
-
Eligible to work with venomous animals
Senior Keeper
-
Responsible for reading, comprehension, and application of procedure and policy.
-
Collaborate with ACS to maintain familiarity with and comply with all applicable laws, Animal Welfare Act standards, OSHA regulations, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation standards and related policies, and occupational health and safety procedures.
Communication, Collaboration, and Professional Relationships
Keeper I
-
Respond to all received communication according to policies and practices.
-
Provide timely and constructive feedback.
-
Teach fellow keepers, volunteers, and interns.
-
Oversee daily activities of assigned area interns and volunteers.
Keeper II & Senior Keeper
-
Employ strong interpersonal skills.
-
Demonstrate good judgement.
Professional Conduct, Organization Representation, and External Engagement
Keeper I
-
Perform job assignments with a kind and well-balanced attitude that reflects UHZ’s mission.
Keeper II
-
Demonstrate awareness of the impact of actions and interactions on others.
-
Demonstrate fairness in all interactions.
-
Models a clear and consistent commitment to professional engagement.
Senior Keeper
-
Eligible for participation as an AZA IR, SSP, studbook management, and other external committees, with approval of UHZ and AZA.
Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement
Keeper I & II
-
Utilize critical thinking skills.
-
Collaboratively participate in improving processes, systems, and standards.
-
Inspecting habitats and exhibit features. Make minor repairs, upgrades, or changes as directed.
-
Identify potential risks and develop creative proactive solutions to mitigate them.
-
Plan, schedule, and direct work of self and others as appropriate.
-
Manage changing priorities.
-
Accounts for the guest experience.
Senior Keeper
-
Utilizes advanced technical skill and sound judgement.
-
Utilize critical thinking skills.
Self-Awareness and Accountability
Keeper I, II, & Senior Keeper
-
Takes responsibility for how individual actions and attitudes can impact animal wellbeing, others, team culture, and processes.
Teaching and Program Contribution
Senior Keeper
-
Collaborates with ACS to teach Keeper Apprentices and Keeper I and II staff in their professional development and technical skills.
-
Collaborates with ACS to deliver teaching opportunities to the team, department, or zoo as assigned.
-
Teach fellow keepers, volunteers, and interns.
Other duties as assigned
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Keeper I
High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred. Paid experience working with exotic animals is preferred. This entry-level role builds foundational animal care knowledge, professionalism, teamwork, and communication skills under consistent supervision and mentorship.
-
Demonstrates commitment to the zoo’s mission.
-
Shows professionalism, teamwork, and mutual respect expected of an animal care professional.
-
Basic knowledge of operant conditioning principles.
Keeper II
High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred. A minimum of two years of full-time-equivalent professional animal care and management is required, preferably in an AZA-accredited facility, or an equivalent combination of education and applied zoo keeping experience. In addition to meeting Keeper I qualifications, this role reflects stronger independent judgment, technical competence, and reduced need for direct oversight.
-
Demonstrates knowledge of animal natural history and takes initiative to address knowledge gaps.
-
Has demonstrated the ability to work safely with animals.
-
Applies strong observational skills to recognize and interpret typical and atypical animal behavior.
-
Demonstrates competence in industry-specific animal care technical skills.
-
Applies operant conditioning techniques effectively.
-
Maintains working knowledge of AWA, AZA, OSHA, and other applicable standards.
-
Makes sound, safe decisions when detailed instructions are not available.
-
Has completed required internal animal training courses; external candidates must complete assigned coursework within six months of hire.
-
Provides accurate, informative animal interpretation to guests through formal and informal talks or tours.
-
Uses a mindful, curious, and logical approach to problem solving.
-
Demonstrates the ability to self-reflect and apply feedback.
Senior Keeper
GED or High School Diploma is required; Associates or Bachelor’s degree in related field is preferred. A minimum of 5 years of full-time paid experience in professional animal care and management is required (preferably in an AZA facility) and/or combination of education and experience in an applied zoo keeping-focused program. The candidate demonstrates:
-
Advanced knowledge of animal natural history.
-
Proficiency in advanced and current industry-specific animal care technical skills.
-
Self-awareness and manages personal impact on others.
-
Ability to self-reflect and apply feedback.
-
Ability to provide feedback appropriately.
-
Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking skills.
-
Prioritizes effectively and adapts plans to complete routine and anticipated additional or unexpected work with confidence.
CORE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES-All positions
-
Proficiency with basic computer applications and standard industry workplace technology.
-
Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and maintain accurate records.
-
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
-
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, prioritize work, meet deadlines, and remain effective during interruptions.
-
Interacting with courtesy, professionalism and respect to staff, volunteers, and guests
-
Manage stress to perform the job effectively
-
Stay focused despite interruptions
-
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
-
Attention to and memory for detail
OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL POSITIONS
-
Utah’s Hogle Zoo is a drug-free workplace. All employees are subject to random drug testing.
-
Provide a negative TB test prior to hire date and maintain TB testing through course of employment.
-
A current driver’s license is required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The incumbent performs in an outdoor environment, exposure to the seasonal elements, dust, and allergens for prolonged periods of time. Tasks require a variety of physical activities, which generally involve muscular strain. Eye, hand, and finger dexterity are required to perform essential functions. Must be able to listen and respond to a portable radio. Ability to stoop, bend, twist, turn, climb, jump, run when necessary, and move quickly to avoid dangerous situations. Must be able to walk on wet and uneven surfaces.
Pull Force up to 50 lbs
Push Force up to 55 lbs
Lift Force up to 80 lbs
Rocky Shores: Comfortability around deep water. Ability to become CPR certified. SCUBA certification preferred.
Utah’s Hogle Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.
