Float Senior Animal Keeper

Overview

About The Position – We are hiring a Float Keeper at either the Keeper or Senior Keeper level, depending upon experience. You will be automatically considered for both.

Note
:
The position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The Final date to receive applications is 5 February 2026.

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience working with primates and great apes. Candidates not meeting minimum requirements may not receive a response. Applicants selected for candidacy are required to attend an on-site working interview.

Payrate:
To maintain internal equity, the payrate for this position at the Oakland Zoo is $31.33 - $32.50 per hour. An offer within this range for the Senior Keeper position will be determined by the candidate’s experience and qualifications and will be our best and final compensation offer.

A Senior Animal Keeper must be an experienced keeper with extensive knowledge in animal care/management and supervision of paid staff and unpaid volunteers/interns, including team building, leadership training, and conflict management. This Senior Keeper position is afloat, caring for a variety of species and covering strings in the absence of the primary Animal Keeper(s). Responsibilities include supporting the primary keeper with duties and special projects as needed.

The multistrand care may include baboons, gibbons, squirrel monkeys, chimps, amazon parrots, pudu, cotton top tamarins, siamang, sun bears, flamingos, hadada ibis, spoonbills, wallaroo, wallabies and emu.

• Use the tools of animal observation, enrichment, training and other management methods to ensure the best possible psychological well-being of the animals in their care.
• Conduct ongoing assessment of the animals’ physical and psycho-social needs.
• Design and implement steps to address these needs.
• Implement department/zoo priorities and actively seek improvements.
• Interact with the public and support junior staff and volunteers as appropriate.
• Represent the Zoo in public settings including press interviews, instructional classes and casual communication with Zoo guests.
• Act as a department leader; cover department functions and emergency response coordination in the absence of the Zoological Manager or Department Vice President.

• Minimum of five years of full-time experience in the care of captive wildlife in the zoo field (preferably at an AZA or GFAS facility).
• Bachelor’s degree or specialized associate’s degree (e.g., Moorpark) or 6 years of experience at an AZA facility or equivalent.
• Experience in animal care/management and supervision of paid staff and unpaid volunteers/interns, including leadership training and conflict management.
• Knowledge of natural history and captive wildlife management to ensure the animals’ well-being.
• Ability to use animal observation, enrichment, training, and other behavioral husbandry methods to support animal welfare.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays.
• Knowledge of habits and hazards of working with wild animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while observing safety precautions.
• Ability to represent the Zoo in public settings including press interviews, instructional classes, and casual guest interactions.
• Medical requirements: COVID vaccination (required by Oakland Zoo);
  Negative TB test within the last year;
  Tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years.

• Code red or dangerous animal experience.
• Knowledge and experience in behavioral training theory and application.
• Ability to inspire guests in casual and formal settings to support conservation.
• Experience mentoring and teaching novice staff, interns or volunteers.
• Strong interpersonal skills to support cross-functional team collaboration.

• Collaboration:
  
  builds trusting relationships with stakeholders and approaches differences with curiosity and humility.
• Communication: communicates respectfully and effectively in writing and verbally.
• Inclusive Culture: fosters mutual…