Lead Animal Keeper-Regenstein African Journey

Lincoln Park Zoological Society • Chicago, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Animal Keeper works under general supervision and participates in all aspects of daily animal care and exhibit maintenance. As team lead, this role serves as a communication link between the management team and animal keepers, and is responsible for scheduling, assigning tasks, organizing meetings, and overseeing compliance with management-approved procedures. The position works collaboratively to maintain progressive, high standards of animal care, health, safety, and welfare while supporting department goals and a positive, productive work environment. Animals in the assigned areas may include Eastern black rhinos, giraffe, African painted dogs, dwarf crocodiles, free-flight aviaries, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

The role also provides daily animal care, including feeding, cleaning, observation, training, enrichment, record keeping, and exhibit maintenance. It supports animal welfare assessments, management planning, guest experiences, education, and coordination with other zoo departments. The position may involve heavy manual work, potentially dangerous animals and equipment, work in all weather conditions, and availability for all shifts, weekends, holidays, and special events.

Requirements

• High school graduation or GED is required.
• Previous animal-care experience at a zoo, aquarium, or similar institution is highly desirable.
• Ability to work closely with animal keepers and provide performance feedback and critical communications.
• Ability to adopt management priorities and communicate them positively and productively to animal keepers.
• Knowledge of industry-standard animal husbandry practices and methods.
• Knowledge of animal behavior, natural history, enrichment, training practices, biology, and related subjects.
• Knowledge of animal behavior as an indicator of health, reproductive potential, and welfare.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safe work practices around potentially dangerous animals.
• Knowledge of cleaning materials, methods, tools, and equipment.
• Strong observation, documentation, and accurate record-keeping skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to give and follow directions.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback and organize tasks and time effectively.
• Ability to work in assigned animal areas and use sound judgment in responding to animal behavior problems or emergencies.
• Comfort working around potentially dangerous and unpredictable animals, machinery, animal-handling tools, squeeze cages, chemicals, and medications.
• Ability to interact courteously and productively with supervisors, coworkers, volunteers, visitors, and the public.
• Knowledge of basic computer programs and software, including Word, Excel, and internet/intranet navigation.
• Ability to remain on feet for long periods and perform physical tasks including climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and crawling.
• Ability to frequently move up to 50 pounds, work in confined spaces, and work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, which may include gloves, steel-toed footwear, face shields, and eye goggles.
• No plant- or animal-related allergies that interfere with work; no impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance, or movement that interferes with work; and ability to maintain immune response to infectious and parasitic diseases.
• Ability to swim may be required for some positions.
• Availability to work all necessary hours, including all shifts, weekends, holidays, and special events, and to attend on-ground training as needed.
• Proof of a negative TB test.

Nice To Haves

• A degree from an accredited college or university in Biological Sciences, such as Biology, Zoology, or Ecology, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience in the designated taxonomic area.
• Experience and proficiency in animal training using operant conditioning techniques and goal-based enrichment.
• A valid driver’s license with a good driving record.
• A comparable combination of education, experience, or training may qualify an individual.

Responsibilities

• Create building run schedules and assign or delegate tasks to animal keeper staff as staffing allows.
• Organize and conduct building meetings, set agendas, and distribute meeting notes.
• Ensure compliance with approved procedures and activities, including record keeping, animal training, enrichment calendars, lock checks, medication procedures, policy reviews, safety protocols, and husbandry duties.
• Organize and verify training for new animal keepers and conduct specialized training as needed.
• Participate in interviews and recommendations for hiring animal keepers.
• Provide constructive performance feedback to animal keepers and the management team.
• Collaborate with the animal care team to assess supply needs and facility improvements, and recommend purchasing and budget priorities to management.
• Participate in developing and implementing animal management plans, including behavioral exams, birth management, transport, veterinary procedures, and introductions.
• Support and communicate staffing decisions made by the management team and contribute to a positive, productive work environment.
• Support performance goals, communication skills, and teamwork among animal keepers.
• Recommend diet adjustments based on observations and keeper feedback, and ensure the team is informed of diet changes.
• Update daily run protocols annually or as needed and communicate building updates to team members.
• Stay informed about training and enrichment programs, plans, progress, and scheduling, and communicate relevant information as needed.
• Coordinate special projects with other departments, including horticulture, facilities, and contractors.
• Maintain proficiency and current training on all runs in the building and help document institutional knowledge about building operations.
• Communicate needed work orders to management and submit work orders as needed.
• Provide daily care to animals and their enclosures, including cleaning, feeding, watering, securing, observing, training, enrichment, record keeping, and exhibit maintenance.
• Participate in operant-conditioning training sessions, develop training plans, and complete training records.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate enrichment activities.
• Participate in welfare discussions and assessments and implement assigned welfare actions.
• Collect ZooMonitor data as assigned.
• Perform heavy manual and skilled tasks, which may include moving food items, hoses, hay bales, equipment, and crated animals.
• Collaborate with zoo departments and support the zoo mission; assist with education programs, guest interactions, tours, and research projects as needed.
• Clean and maintain exhibits using chemical agents and specialized tools; maintain exhibit displays, furnishings, landscapes, and minor repairs under supervision.
• Prepare and distribute prescribed animal diets and administer prescribed therapeutics under supervision.
• Monitor animal health and promptly report abnormal or problematic observations to management.
• Make recommendations regarding diets, habitat design, and related matters, and take steps to implement them.
• Prepare detailed daily reports and complete assigned records in the TRACKS system.
• Monitor habitats, equipment, and facilities, and communicate work-order requests and emergency repairs.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment and inventory tools and supplies.
• Follow animal-handling and safety guidelines and participate in escape drills and procedures; capture, restrain, and transport animals under supervision.
• Promote a positive guest experience and coordinate with other zoo departments as needed.
• Perform animal observations and other assigned duties when assigned to evening or night shifts; take responsibility for specialized aspects of assigned animals as applicable.
• Work necessary hours as requested, including all shifts, weekends, holidays, and special events, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage.
• 403(b) savings plan with an institutional match.
• Free admission to many other Chicago cultural institutions.
• Free on-site parking, with access to Lincoln Park, the Lakeshore Trail, and North Avenue Beach.
• Discounts on event tickets, attractions, dining, and zoo retail, including free admission to select events.
• Quarterly staff mingle events and LPZooU training and educational sessions.
• Company contribution to a Health Savings Account for Medical PPO participants.
• A work environment with green spaces and regularly available visits with wildlife.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED