Animal Care Special Events Keeper

Nashville Zoo • Nashville, TN

17h • $16 - $18 • Onsite

About The Position

The Nashville Zoo is currently seeking a highly motivated individual to bring their experience, creativity and passion to our Animal Care Events Team (ACE). This individual will be joining a team of dedicated keepers in caring for a variety animals who will be out for late events, while also providing other animal care teams with help and support. The ideal candidate will possess a balanced combination of animal experience, strong work ethic, internal motivation, good presentation skills, and a desire to collaborate with different teams to achieve goals.

Requirements

• Ability to self-direct work tasks while ensuring safety and productivity.
• Enhancement of guest experience
• Advanced operant conditioning
• Capture and restraint
• Observing animal behavior
• Understanding animal behavior and group dynamics in diverse species
• 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

• Maintain professional conduct at all times and consistently model the organization’s values in all interactions with colleagues, guests, and stakeholders.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance
• Husbandry of assigned species (this may change daily) as well as maintaining and cleaning animal exhibits, yards, night enclosures, and contiguous areas.
• Staffing for late night events
• Assist with training for husbandry behaviors, providing enrichment, and other husbandry related tasks.
• Performing light exhibit construction, operating zoo vehicles, and maintaining integrity of the existing landscape.
• Responsible for educating the public through keeper talks, animal encounters, meet and greets, and other impromptu educational programs as well as providing a clean and safe atmosphere for families to enjoy the Nashville Zoo.
• The keeper in this area will need to have a wide variety of animal experience working with birds, primates, carnivores, hoofstock, domestics, ectotherms, and ambassador animals.
• This keeper will need to be flexible, working week days, weekends, early mornings, and late night shifts. Schedules often change due to the summer or winter seasons, special events, and late-night events.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage – including medical, dental, and vision plans to keep you and your family healthy.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential support services for mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching – helping you build a secure future while you make a meaningful impact today.
• Generous paid time off and sick leave – because rest and recovery are vital.
• Exclusive zoo perks – enjoy discounts on park experiences, retail, and food services, plus complimentary membership benefits.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture – be part of a diverse team where your voice matters, your growth is nurtured, and collaboration thrives across all departments.
• AZA-accredited facility – Nashville Zoo is committed to top-tier animal care, ethics and global conservation efforts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree