Seasonal Encounters Keeper

Indianapolis Zoo • Indianapolis, IN

7d • $13 • Onsite

About The Position

Flamingos, Budgies, and Psittacines, OH MY! From conducting informal presentations and behind the scenes tours with guests, to performing the daily husbandry tasks for our many species of birds, our Seasonal Encounters Keepers are always busy! The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking energetic individuals with exceptional public speaking skills to join our Encounters flock for the 2026 season! This position will work closely with a variety of birds species and ambassador animals assisting with husbandry and enrichment. Ideal candidates are committed to advancing the Zoo's mission to protect nature and inspire people to care for our world. Having a professional attitude and appearance to visitors, volunteers, and co-workers is vital to the position as well as being a team-oriented individual that is temperamentally suited to work with the public and a variety of bird species. Prior experience working with soft bill, psittacine, and/ or flamingo is highly desired. This is a seasonal, 40 hours per week position that requires availability to work weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. Seasonal assignments are temporary in nature and are expected to last approximately six (6) months with a pay rate of $13.00/ hr.

Requirements

• Comfortability conducting informal presentations, chats, and feeds to the public throughout the day.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
• Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs.
• Exceptional visual acuity is required, along with the ability to communicate, comprehend, and decipher information accurately, using a two-way radio.
• Interpretation responsibilities with mixed species aviaries and/ or the flamingo yard.
• The ability to perform daily husbandry task and manual work involving the care and maintenance of the animals and exhibits under this position's care.
• Must possess exceptional public speaking skills and the ability to provide outstanding customer service to our guests.
• Directly responsible for health and well-being of the collections assigned to this position's care.
• Must follow all safety Policies and Procedures of the Indianapolis Zoo.
• Possible occupational exposure (Category B employee) to human bloodborne pathogens.
• Possible exposure to dangerous chemicals (e.g. chlorine bleach, cleaning agents, etc.)
• Must follow Universal Protection Precautions and Bloodborne Pathogens Guidelines.
• Will be required to learn and implement species quarantine procedures as directed by Assistant Curator of Ambassador Animals & Encounters.
• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working with soft bill, psittacine, and/ or flamingo is highly desired.
• Prior work experience involving animal care is strongly preferred.
• College course work in a suitable animal-related field may be substituted for work experience.
• Bachelor's degree in a Life Science area from an accredited college/university in life sciences is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conducting informal presentations, chats, and feeds to the public throughout the day.
• Performing daily husbandry task and manual work involving the care and maintenance of the animals and exhibits under this position's care.
• Follow all safety Policies and Procedures of the Indianapolis Zoo.
• Learn and implement species quarantine procedures as directed by Assistant Curator of Ambassador Animals & Encounters.

What This Job Offers

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