Lindsay Wildlife Experience seeks a self-motivated, flexible, and responsible individual capable of supporting the daily operations of the Animal Encounters (AE) Department. We are currently seeking candidates to fill one full-time position; Animal Keeper I, Animal Keeper II, or Animal Keeper III based on experience.
Join our collaborative and supportive team and work with a wide variety of California native Animal Ambassadors, including birds of prey, small birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
The AE staff help support Lindsay’s interpretive programs by working alongside the Education Department to provide a high-quality guest experience.
- Work with Curator, veterinary staff, animal keeper staff, animal husbandry volunteers and interns to ensure the highest standards of animal care.
- Ensure compliance with USDA and Fish & Wildlife regulations.
- Participate in daily husbandry, including handling, enrichment, training using operant conditioning and digital record keeping.
- Participation in public programming using live animals; including daily exhibit hall programming and events on and off-site.
- Facility maintenance (cleaning, equipment upkeep, organizational projects, maintaining naturalistic exhibits).
- Accurate observation, evaluation and documentation of animal behaviors.
- Maintain excellent written and verbal communication with co-workers, manager, director, and veterinary staff.
- Work in coordination with the other departments to represent Lindsay and its mission in a professional manner and with high quality customer service.
- Eligible to work with venomous reptiles.
- Assigned as a primary animal keeper for a group of animal ambassadors based on experience.
- Responsible for developing and training of assigned animals and evaluating all activities with regards to husbandry, medical, enrichment, handling and public presentations.
- Training of volunteers and interns on daily departmental tasks.
- Act as a keeper mentor for interns and apprentices participating in our Animal Keeper internship and apprenticeship programs.
- Participate in animal welfare assessments.
- Scheduling daily husbandry assignments for both staff and volunteers.
- Assist with managing departmental supplies and major projects.
- Serve on internal committees.
- Prepare, organize and participate in animal shipments.
- Mentor Apprentice Animal Keepers, Keepers I and II in their professional development. This includes topics such as: exhibit enhancement, USDA, behavioral husbandry and training, animal welfare, etc.
- Ability to discuss and approve operant conditioning plans with other Animal Keepers for ambassadors within the collection.
- Ability to be point of contact in the absence of the Curator of Animal Encounters.
- Ability to take initiative and address issues as they arise.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Have a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in zoology, biology, or a related field required.
- Have a minimum of 1 year of full-time equivalent paid experience in animal care and/or a combination of education and experience in an applied zoo keeping-focused program.
- Experience in researching, writing, and presenting ecological, biological, and environmental conservation topics to an audience of diverse ages.
- Have experience with public speaking as it relates to informal environmental education is preferred.
- Have experience training wild/exotic animals using operant conditioning.
- Have excellent communication skills with staff, volunteers, and guests.
- Exemplary verbal and written communication skills and ability to speak to diverse audiences.
- Must be able to work independently and as part of a team of both staff and volunteers.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel and Google Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive, etc.)
- Must be willing to work some holidays and some weekends.
- Must be able to sustain prolonged bending, kneeling, standing, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to manage multiple and complex responsibilities at the same time.
- Have at least 2 years of full-time equivalent paid experience in animal care and/or a combination of education and experience in an applied zoo keeping-focused program.
- Have volunteer managerial experience (preferred). Does not have to be in a zoological setting.
- Have a minimum of 4 years of full-time paid experience in animal care is required and/or combination education and experience in an applied zoo keeping-focused program.
- Experience handling rabies vectors and venomous reptiles preferred, pre-exposure rabies vaccination or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire highly preferred.
- Have at least 2 years of experience handling birds of prey including but not limited to: owls, hawks, falcons, golden and bald eagles.
- Have exceptional interpretive skills.
- Have demonstrated a high level of problem solving and critical thinking skills.
- Possess the characteristics of an Animal Care professional demonstrating competence, professionalism, teamwork, mutual respect and commitment to the mission of the organization.
- Have knowledge in the natural history and captive management of wild animals.
- Have demonstrated the ability to work safely in a variety of areas with minimal training.
- Medium strength demands include exerting 20-50 pounds occasionally, 10-25 pounds frequently, or up to 10 pounds constantly. Requires handling, using vision and hearing, and talking.
- Frequently requires standing, fine dexterity, walking, lifting, sitting, reaching, pushing/pulling, balancing, climbing, and twisting. Occasionally requires carrying, kneeling, foot controls, bending, and crouching.
- Frequently requires time pressures, frequent change of tasks, irregular schedule/overtime, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, tedious or exacting work, and noisy/distracting environment. Rarely requires emergency situations.
- Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards.
- Some office environment, as well as public exhibit hall programming, and frequent outdoor events and/or outreach sites.
- Lindsay offers a competitive benefits package including paid sick time and vacation, 12 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays yearly, and 401K eligibility.
- Opportunities for professional development courses and training.
- Non-exempt full-time position, 40-hours a week.
- Pay: $20 – $23/hour
- To apply for this opportunity, send cover letter, resume, and three references to: [email protected]
- Put “Animal Keeper” in the subject line.
- No phone calls, please.
- Submit all materials in PDF format with your first initial and last name in the document name. Example: JSmith_Resume.pdf
- Automatic applications from websites, such as Indeed, will not be considered.
- References will not be checked without permission.
- Applications are open until position filled, with priority to applicants submitted before August 16, 2026
EEO Policy Statement: It is the policy of Lindsay Wildlife Experience to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to their race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state or local law.
