Mammal Care Specialist, part-time

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens•Jacksonville, FL

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is seeking a part-time Mammal Care Specialist for its Mammal Division in Jacksonville, Florida. The position is offered at Specialist I, II, or Senior level, depending on the candidate’s experience. The role supports daily management and wellbeing of a diverse mammal collection, conservation efforts, scientific management, guest engagement, and exceptional animal care. The specialist provides daily animal care, monitors animal health and behavior, maintains habitats and records, and supports veterinary procedures, animal introductions, breeding programs, research, and animal transfers. The position also contributes to husbandry protocols and plans, Species Survival Plans (SSPs), Managed Animal Plan (MAP) recommendations, regulatory compliance, safety and biosecurity, guest education, mentoring, conservation initiatives, and special programs. This position involves outdoor work in all weather conditions, weekends, holidays, and occasional extended hours. Team members must be able to safely lift up to 50 pounds, work around wildlife and related hazards, operate vehicles and equipment, and respond to emergency or disaster situations when needed. A valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record are required. Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens describes its workplace as focused on safety, collaboration, mutual respect, conservation, education, innovation, and continuous improvement. The organization states that it is committed to an inclusive workplace and offers competitive benefits and professional development opportunities. It is an Equal Opportunity Employer, a Drug-Free Workplace, and participates in E-Verify. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
For Mammal Care Specialist I: at least 6 months (approximately 960 hours) of paid or volunteer experience working with wildlife in professionally managed care.
For Mammal Care Specialist II: at least 2 years (approximately 3,840 hours) of full-time-equivalent professional wildlife care experience.
For Senior Animal Care Specialist: at least 5 years (approximately 9,600 hours) of full-time-equivalent professional wildlife care experience.
Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record.
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, including weekends, holidays, and occasional extended hours.
Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds, work around wildlife and associated hazards, operate vehicles and equipment, and respond to emergency or disaster situations when needed.
Passion for wildlife conservation and animal wellbeing; commitment to safety; collaborative communication; organization and dependability; ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment; comfort engaging with guests; adaptability, resilience, and willingness to learn.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Animal Science or a related field.
Experience with animal training and enrichment programs.

Responsibilities

Provide daily animal care, including feeding, habitat cleaning, enrichment, behavioral observations, training, and medication administration.
Monitor animal health and behavior and maintain accurate records.
Maintain safe, clean, attractive habitats and support facility improvements.
Assist with veterinary procedures, animal introductions, breeding programs, research projects, and animal transfers.
Develop and update husbandry protocols, standard operating procedures, and management plans.
Support Species Survival Plans (SSPs) and Managed Animal Plan (MAP) recommendations.
Ensure compliance with AZA, USDA, FWC, OSHA, and institutional standards.
Maintain high standards of safety, biosecurity, and animal containment.
Educate and engage guests about wildlife conservation and responsible stewardship.
Mentor new team members, interns, and volunteers and foster a collaborative workplace culture.
Support conservation initiatives, Behind-the-Scenes experiences, and other special programs.