Explore a career with Reid Park Zoo! We are seeking a Zoo Keeper to join our Bird Team! 

With a mission centered in conservation, the Zoo is Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participates in over 50 Species Survival Plans for threatened and endangered species. Reid Park Zoo cares for over 200 exotic animal species from around the world, maintains a state-of-the-art elephant program, a cutting-edge veterinary clinic that serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Arizona veterinary program, and is a leader in the Monarch and Songbird Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) programs. With more than 600,000 visits annually, the Zoo is in the midst of an exciting expansion project, Pathway to Asia, that will add four acres to its campus, bringing new species such as red panda, Komodo dragon and Lar gibbons, as well as a breeding facility for critically-endangered Malayan tigers when it opens in 2026.

Reid Park Zoo’s mission is to connect people with animals, inspiring the protection of wild animals and wild places. Be a part of a vibrant, growing organization as Reid Park Zoo continues to support local and global conservation and the highest standards in animal care while providing educational opportunities and family fun.  

No phone calls or visits please.  This position is open until filled.  We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.  We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff by creating an inclusive environment. 

Pay Range: $17.67 to $20.76 per hour (DOE)

Benefits: This is a fully benefited position, including group medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid holiday, vacation, and sick time; retirement plan; zoo membership; employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and discounts on concession and gift shop purchases. 

Overview: Reid Park Zoo is home to over 200 birds representing 50 species. The growing collection will focus on raising parent reared birds as well as hand rearing birds for a unique interactive aviary.  The successful candidate will be hard working, detail oriented, committed to progressive animal care and welfare, and to maintaining a positive culture of openness, trust, and respect.  Animal care includes behavioral observations, positive reinforcement training, providing enrichment, cleaning, and engaging with the welfare committee as well as the supervisory and vet teams to ensure excellent animal welfare. The Keeper will be responsible for daily record keeping including daily reports, medication logs, welfare tracking, enrichment records, animal training records and area notes.  The Keeper may work in a variety of animal areas and may be a swing or primary keeper of an area.  Work assignments are subject to the hazards inherent in caring for wild animals in human care. 

Reports To: Assistant Curator / General Curator

General Duties 

• Demonstrates and models the core values of the Reid Park Zoological Society (RPZS or the Zoo)
• Perform duties in accordance with RPZS policies and procedures
• Provide excellent customer service as a component of all job duties
• Follows Zoo safety protocols and procedures

Animal Care 

• Daily cleaning associated with the animal night house, habitat, and visitor viewing area
• Husbandry care for the animals in the area (feeding, medicating, training, enriching, and care specific to the species)
• Completes reports, including but not limited to daily animal reports, enrichment logs, water quality logs, training logs, medication logs, animal incident reports, etc.
• Taking initiative to assist other keepers on new activities (first time they weigh an animal or design enrichment)
• Develops & implements enrichment activities for animals following AZA guidelines and per department practices and protocols 
• Trains utilizing positive reinforcement to aid in animal management & promote visitor education
• Monitors animal welfare and reports concerns to supervisor
• Follows all animal care protocols and policies
• Assists in the training of new staff and mentoring volunteers

Communication 

• Participates in formal presentations e.g. Keeper talks, special events, behind-the-scenes tours etc.
• Answers visitor questions concerning animals, conservation, zoo operations, etc.
• Participates in AZA groups including SSP and TAGs  

Health & Safety

• Assists in the capture and/or physical/ chemical restraint & transportation of animals
• Participates in emergency drills  
• Willingness to serve on the safety team
• Willing to maintain proficiency with darting equipment & firearms if selected for the safety team  
• Responds to animal emergencies following approved protocols 
• Stays current on vaccinations

Administrative Functions

• Complete all animal records in a variety of software programs, including Animal Care Software, ZIMS, etc.

Minimum Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities 

• Bachelor’s degree in a biological science, animal or zoology related plus two years of paid avian care experience at an AZA accredited facility OR Associate’s degree with three years paid avian experience at an AZA accredited facility, OR equivalent combination of education and experience, with approval from the Animal Care Director 
• A valid, current, unrestricted driver license
• Successfully complete pre-hire background check and pre-employment drug screen (we do not test for THC)
• Comply with quarterly random drug testing if selected
• Proof of negative TB test within immediate past 12 months, OR, complete a pre-hire TB test (company paid) to be renewed annually
• Completes all training as required
• Participates in emergency drills
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to maintain positive, constructive relationships, at all levels, with a diverse population of staff, guests, vendors and the public
• Assertive, energetic, and enjoy working in a fast paced, public/guest attraction focused environment
• Ability to take direction, constructive feedback, act or change direction as needed
• Regular physical attendance at work
• Reliable and able to work to a schedule
• Must be able to work a flexible work schedule including evenings and weekends

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds often
• Bend, stoop, kneel, reach frequently
• Stand and walk for long periods of time
• Repetitious motions with hands
• Ability to use hands to control power and hand tools
• Must be able to work outside in either cold or hot weather conditions the majority of the time

Preferred Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in a biological science, animal or zoology related program with additional years of exotic animal care experience 
• Additional years’ experience working in an AZA-accredited zoo facility or other park or public attraction environment strongly preferred
• Skilled with incubation, hand-rearing of birds and capture and restraint
• Bilingual (any language, including ASL)

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.  It is intended to give a reasonable idea of what might be required. 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Human Resources Dept.

JOB CODE: 9102ZK