The Texas Zoo is seeking a passionate, dependable, and motivated Zoo Educator. This hands-on position combines conservation education, guest engagement, and daily care of our ambassador-animal collection.
Zoo Educators work with students, families, zoo guests, and community groups. Candidates must be comfortable speaking publicly, working with children in kindergarten through 12th grade, handling various animals, working outdoors, and completing responsibilities independently.
Essential Duties
- Lead or assist with field trips, Zoo Camp, outreaches, tours, birthday parties, animal encounters, and special events.
- Deliver accurate, engaging, and age-appropriate educational programs.
- Supervise children safely and use effective group- and behavior-management techniques.
- Provide daily animal care, including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, observation, and recordkeeping.
- Safely handle, transport, and present ambassador animals according to established protocols.
- Monitor animal behavior, welfare, and signs of stress during programs.
- Prepare program supplies, animal carriers, diets, biofacts, equipment, and presentation areas.
- Complete required logs, reports, and department communications accurately and on time.
- Maintain clean, sanitary, secure, and organized animal-care and program areas.
- Complete assigned responsibilities independently and identify productive next steps when duties are finished.
- Communicate professionally with coworkers, supervisors, volunteers, guests, teachers, parents, and community partners.
- Complete zoo-train training and operate the train for at least two hours per week when scheduled.
- Cross-train in the Gift Shop and admissions and provide coverage when needed.
Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- A passion for animals and experience caring for domestic, exotic, or ambassador animals is preferred.
- Comfortable working with reptiles, mammals, and birds.
- Comfortable working with and supervising students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
- Experience in education, childcare, camps, public speaking, interpretation, animal care, or a related field is preferred.
- Strong communication, customer-service, organizational, and time-management skills.
- Able to work independently with limited supervision and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Able to follow detailed animal-care, diet, safety, and handling procedures.
- Willing to learn species information, individual animal histories, and conservation messages.
- Able to remain calm and professional during emergencies, schedule changes, challenging behavior, and busy programs.
- Basic proficiency with email, Microsoft Office, Canva, scheduling programs, and point-of-sale systems.
- Valid Texas driver’s license required.
- Must be willing to operate the zoo train and cross-train in Gift Shop and admissions.
Physical and Schedule Requirements
- Able to stand and walk for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds.
- Able to bend, crouch, kneel, climb, push, pull, and transport animal carriers and program equipment.
- Comfortable working around animals, insects, animal waste, odors, dust, food, and cleaning products.
- Able to work outdoors in South Texas heat, humidity, rain, wind, and cold.
- Dependable and punctual attendance is required.
- Must be available for a flexible schedule, including weekdays, weekends, holidays, evenings, camps, outreaches, and special events.
- Regular weekend availability is essential.
Approximate Responsibilities
- 40% — Education programs and guest engagement
- 40% — Ambassador-animal care, handling, enrichment, and training
- 10% — Program preparation, cleanup, documentation, meetings, and training
- 10% — Train operation, Gift Shop coverage, and special events
Responsibilities may change based on animal needs, programming, staffing, seasonal operations, and special events.
Benefits
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
The Texas Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and employees in accordance with applicable law.
Pay: $10.00 per hour
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience working with kids?
- Do you have experience working with exotic or domestic animals?
Ability to Commute:
- Victoria, TX 77901 (Required)
Work Location: In person
