Animal Care Special Events Keeper
About The Position
The Nashville Zoo is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Animal Care Events Team (ACE). This keeper role is ideal for someone who brings a strong foundation of animal care experience, creativity, and a passion for connecting guests with wildlife. As part of a dedicated team of animal care professionals, the ACE team member will help care for a variety of animals featured during evening events and special programs, while also providing valuable support to other animal care teams across the Zoo. This position plays a key role in enhancing the guest experience and creating memorable, engaging interactions for visitors. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong work ethic, self-motivation, excellent presentation and communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of teams to achieve shared goals.
Requirements
- Ability to self-direct work tasks while ensuring safety and productivity
- Ability to enhance guest experience through engaging interactions and confident public speaking
- Demonstrate understanding of basic animal training through operant conditioning
- Understand basic capture, restraint, and handling techniques
- Understand animal behavior and group dynamics in diverse species to note changes in behavior, health, diet consumption, and other animal related activities
- Knowledge of animal diet preparation, general biology, and natural history
- Minimum of 1 year of full-time, paid experience with either birds, ectotherms, carnivores, primates, hoofstock, domestic species, and/or ambassador animals.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
Nice To Haves
- College degree (Associate’s or Bachelor’s) in an applicable field: Animal Science, Biology, Zoology, etc.
Responsibilities
- Perform husbandry of assigned species (this may change daily) as well as maintain animal exhibits, yards, night enclosures, and contiguous areas.
- Have a good base knowledge of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement training.
- Assist with training for husbandry behaviors, provide enrichment, and perform other husbandry related tasks.
- Maintain detailed daily records on assigned animals (ZIMS/Daily Supervisor Report)
- May need to perform light exhibit construction, operate zoo vehicles, and maintain integrity of the existing landscape.
- Educate the public through keeper talks, animal encounters, meet and greets, and other impromptu educational programs as well as provide a clean and safe atmosphere for families to enjoy the Nashville Zoo.
- Feel comfortable working with a wide variety of animals across multiple departments. Including but not limited to bears, tigers, leopards, gibbons, lemurs, domesticated hoofstock, flamingos, giraffes, rhinos, okapi, etc.
- Maintain professional conduct at all times and consistently model the organization’s values in all interactions with colleagues, guests, and stakeholders.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage – including medical, dental, and vision plans
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential support services for mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching
- Generous paid time off and sick leave
- Exclusive zoo perks – enjoy discounts on park experiences, retail, and food services, plus complimentary membership benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
