Hoofstock

Dallas Zoo Management•Dallas, TX

About The Position

This is an entry-level animal-care position working with giraffes, okapi, and hoofstock. Following established protocols, the Zoologist provides daily care for animals and exhibits, including preparing and providing food and water, administering medication as instructed, monitoring animal health and behavior, maintaining clean and safe spaces, and supporting reproductive management. The role also participates in operant-conditioning and husbandry programs, provides environmental enrichment, assists with animal capture, restraint, transfers, and procedures, and maintains animal records and reports. The Zoologist performs general exhibit maintenance and repairs and works collaboratively with animal-care, veterinary, and other zoo personnel. The position also prepares and conducts educational presentations, tours, and other guest interactions focused on animals, biology, conservation, and environmental issues. The role supports zoo-wide initiatives and plans, follows safety protocols, and responds to emergencies as required. Work may involve outdoor conditions, irregular hours, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

Knowledge of animal care and basic husbandry skills.
At least one year of exotic-animal-care experience at an AZA-accredited facility is preferred, ideally with hoofstock.
Flexible, efficient, self-motivated, solution-oriented team player who can find creative solutions to complex challenges.
Basic knowledge of research techniques and practices and solid observation skills.
Ability to practice or willingness to learn safe capture and restraint methods for a variety of taxa, potentially including dangerous species.
Ability to establish and maintain effective rapport with management, employees, interns, volunteers, and zoo guests.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including following instructions and documenting animal-care activities appropriately.
Ability to represent the Zoo professionally and exercise sound judgment and appropriate action in emergencies.
Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above the head, pull, bend, climb stairs and ladders, and carry up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work holidays and weekends, regular and irregular hours as required, and outdoors in hot or inclement weather.
Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening, background check, and TB test.
Valid driver’s license to operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related science field.
At least one year of exotic-animal-care experience at an AZA-accredited facility, ideally with hoofstock.

Responsibilities

Provide daily care for assigned animals and exhibits, following AZA, USDA, and DZM standards and protocols.
Observe and monitor animals’ health and behavior and report abnormalities to management or veterinary staff.
Prepare and provide food and water and administer medication as instructed.
Clean exhibits, holding pens, food-preparation areas, and equipment; conduct pest-control activities; and report mechanical defects that could pose a safety risk.
Provide environmental enrichment and training sessions, using operant conditioning as applicable.
Participate in or assist with capturing and restraining a variety of taxa, including potentially dangerous species.
Prepare and update animal records, reports, and surveys, and assist with research projects as needed.
Perform general exhibit maintenance and repairs, including painting, repairing fences and shelters, addressing erosion, planting ground cover, and removing weeds.
Assist with animal transfers and procedures as directed.
Work positively and professionally with animal-care and veterinary staff and volunteers.
Prepare and conduct educational presentations and tours and engage zoo guests on animals, biology, conservation, and environmental issues.
Develop enrichment ideas and items using the enrichment proposal form and record results after each use.
Collaborate with zoo personnel on activities such as media events, special tours, and public-relations projects.
Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees, and work groups.
Understand and support the Dallas Zoo’s Strategic and Master Plans and departmental collection plans.
Study assigned reference materials related to animal care, behavior, and natural history.
Follow safety protocols, understand the animal keeper’s role in emergency procedures, and respond to emergencies as required.