Animal Care Specialist - Aviculture I [Full-Time]
About The Position
The Animal Care Specialist works in the Aviculture Department and is responsible for daily animal care, exhibit and plant maintenance, data collection, and documentation. The role requires knowledge or experience caring for a diverse range of bird species and involves increasing independent action once expertise is acquired. The specialist provides husbandry and diets for assigned birds; maintains exhibit and off-exhibit spaces; observes, trains, and documents animal behavior; and supports veterinary care, enrichment, breeding-related work, guest engagement, and team development. The position follows San Antonio Zoo policies and applicable safety, regulatory, and accreditation standards, including AZA guidelines. It also includes pest control, light maintenance and repairs, and safe operation of equipment. The position requires work in varying weather and climate conditions and a flexible schedule that may include days, nights, weekends, and occasional after-hours assignments. Candidates must be at least 18, meet the driver’s license requirements or have dependable transportation, and successfully complete pre-employment drug screening and a background check.
Requirements
- Experience with husbandry and care of large aviaries and smaller, species-focused bird habitats in a zoo setting.
- Ability to identify, handle, examine, and transfer eggs safely.
- Ability to learn and properly identify bird species in the collection.
- Ability to assist with overseeing, training, and evaluating volunteers and interns.
- Ability to speak to guests and groups during animal chats and keeper behind-the-scenes tours.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must have a clean driving record for vehicle operation and a valid Class C Texas driver’s license, or a valid out-of-state driver’s license with the ability to obtain a Texas Class C license within 45 days of employment. Consideration may be given if the candidate has dependable transportation to scheduled shifts.
- Must be dependable, reliable, and able to report to scheduled shifts on time.
- Must successfully complete pre-employment drug screening and a background check.
- Must be able to work in varying climate and weather conditions, including rain, snow, humidity, heat, and cold.
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including days, nights, weekends, and occasional special after-hours assignments.
- Must complete online training courses by assigned deadlines.
Nice To Haves
- Associate degree or higher in wildlife management, animal science, zoology, biology, or a related field; additional training and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for formal education.
- Knowledge of avian behavior and biology.
- Knowledge of incubation.
- Knowledge of chick hand-rearing.
- Successful nesting and breeding experience with various bird species.
- Knowledge of proper plant care and maintenance.
- Knowledge of, or ability to learn, programs such as ZIMS and TRACKS.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Provide general husbandry and daily care for assigned animals and birds, including preparing and distributing approved diets.
- Inspect, clean, and maintain exhibit and off-exhibit areas, including substrates, perches, and plants.
- Maintain, train, and troubleshoot animal behavior, and increase the behavioral repertoire of assigned animals.
- Maintain detailed daily records on animals, area routines, and medical treatments; collect and document data.
- Observe and evaluate animal behavior and condition, and report problems to the appropriate manager.
- Follow safety protocols, standard operating procedures, company policies, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards, including AZA guidelines.
- Exercise sound judgment during animal behavior concerns or emergencies, work safely around potentially dangerous animals, and secure animals, enclosures, and associated structures.
- Propose and perform species-specific enrichment and apply operant conditioning for husbandry behaviors and public demonstrations.
- Assist veterinary staff with animal treatment and procedures, including translocations, daily treatments and medications, crating, capture, and restraint.
- Coordinate as a liaison among veterinary staff, leadership, and the aviculture team; support colleagues with animal-related goals and safe handling practices.
- Engage zoo guests, staff, VIPs, team members, and docents, including through animal chats, discussions, special events, and behind-the-scenes tours.
- Study assigned animal-care, behavior, and natural-history references and learn to identify the bird species in the collection.
- Assist with overseeing, training, and evaluating volunteers and interns.
- Assist with departmental pest-control efforts and perform light maintenance and exhibit repairs; report major maintenance concerns to leadership.
- Safely operate equipment such as mowers, pressure washers, weed eaters, and power tools as needed.
- Complete assigned online training by deadlines and perform other work-related duties as assigned.
- Uphold the San Antonio Zoo mission and provide hospitable service to guests and colleagues.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
