Keeper, Destination Discovery

Saint Louis Zoo•Saint Louis, MO

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Saint Louis Zoo is looking for a skilled animal care professional to serve as a Henry A. Jubel, Destination Discovery (DD) Keeper in the care of growing population of animals. Destination Discovery staff collaborate with our Conservation Education Department to create inspiring, educational and transformational early childhood and family programming. This position will serve under the direction of the Fred Saigh Curator of Destination Discovery and the Zoological Manager of Destination Discovery as part of the Zoo’s dynamic, kind, passionate, and expert Animal Care team, led by the Vice President of Animal Care, and comprised of the General Curator, Animal Curators, Zoological Managers, Keeper staff, Animal Health, Animal Nutrition Services, and Life Support Services. We are seeking candidates with experience in the care and positive reinforcement-based training of ambassador animals. The ideal applicant is equally passionate about animal wellbeing and connecting guests to wildlife through early childhood and family programming. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong commitment to teamwork and embody the values of adaptability, collaboration, empowerment, and innovation. They will thrive in a flexible and fail-forward work culture that values continuous improvement and reflective collaboration. They should also bring proven experience using operant conditioning in a professional animal care setting. This role collaborates closely with Animal Health, Conservation Education, Nutrition, Research, and other Zoo departments to ensure exceptional animal welfare and support our broader goals in environmental empathy and conservation. Strong skills in active listening, teamwork, and both written and verbal communication are essential. Applicants should be dedicated to assessing and enhancing animal wellbeing through enrichment, training, social management, and ongoing professional development. This position plays a vital role in creating meaningful guest experiences, fostering empathy for wildlife, and connecting our community to the Saint Louis Zoo’s mission and conservation efforts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in biology, animal science, wildlife management, zoology or other field of study applicable to zoo animal management preferred with preference given to applicants with at least one year’s experience working in an AZA institution.
Direct experience in the day-to-day care for animals in a zoo setting, with knowledge of the care of animals, animal behavior, and hazards of working with wildlife.
Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one is required.
COVID vaccinations are required for this position.
All successful candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check and a drug test.
As this is a safety-sensitive role, a negative drug test result is mandatory.

Nice To Haves

Animal training and ambassador animal experience preferred.
A working familiarity with AZA animal population management programs (SAFE, SSP, TAG, PMC, etc.) is a plus.
PADI or other professional diving certification is a plus.
Experience partnering and collaborating on development of education programs a plus.
Demonstration of a high level of emotional intelligence and the ability to work as a positive team member.
Working knowledge of AZA Accreditation Standards and USDA Animal Welfare Standards a plus.
Working knowledge of zoonotic diseases and methods of preventing the spread of contagious disease.
Proficient in ZIMS software, welfare assessments, and experience maintaining records and preparing reports a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide daily care for ambassador animals, ensuring the highest standards of welfare, enrichment, and behavioral conditioning.
Clean, maintain, design, and enhance animal habitats to meet care and enrichment needs of the animals in our care.
Monitor habitat conditions and public spaces, service areas, and other spaces of DD regularly, with a high level of attention to detail.
Support special animal care activities such as physical exams, exhibit modifications, and transport logistics with safe handling procedures.
Design and implement dynamic enrichment and training programs that encourage diverse, natural behaviors.
Maintain accurate records, including timely data entry into ZIMS and other Zoo-approved databases.
Collaborate with Veterinary, Animal Care, Nutrition, Life Support, and Research teams to support optimal animal health and wellbeing.
Follow and contribute to animal care protocols, including behavioral husbandry, welfare assessments, training plans, and ambassador guidelines.
Partner with the Conservation Education team to support, plan, and deliver public programs and presentations about animal care and conservation in Destination Discovery.
Support Zoo educational efforts, including special events, Mission Moments, tours, and other wildlife celebrations.
Assist with promoting WildCare Institute and AZA SAFE programs relevant to Destination Discovery.
Liaise with Facilities Management and DD Management to report and track maintenance needs and facility improvements.
Contribute actively to team discussions, sharing ideas in a positive, professional, and solutions-oriented manner.
Represent the Zoo professionally in interactions with guests, media, donors, and internal or external partners.
Collaborate with other Zoo departments (e.g., Marketing, Philanthropy, Guest Services) to advance the Zoo’s mission, including guest experiences or media opportunities.
Support efforts to meet and exceed AZA, USDA, and internal Saint Louis Zoo standards.
Monitor and respond to horticultural and custodial needs within Destination Discovery.
Maintain strong verbal and written communication skills and demonstrate excellent organizational abilities as well as flexibility, meeting different communication needs for different settings and people.
Utilize and maintain proficiency in computer literacy skills, including use of programs like ZIMS, Office 365, and Zoom.
Participate in native wildlife response and Zoo-wide emergency response as assigned.
Perform additional duties as assigned by management in support of Destination Discovery and Saint Louis Zoo goals.