Senior Animal Caretaker - Ambassador Animals

The Senior Animal Ambassador Caretaker is responsible for the daily care and wellbeing of the OKC Zoo’s ambassador animals, ensuring clean and safe environments through skilled husbandry practices. This role also supports guest engagement by presenting animals and creating memorable, educational experiences. It involves a mix of skilled and semi-skilled tasks focused on animal care, staff support, and public safety.

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Rate: $19.27 - 24.09 / hr 

Experience Required: Two (2) years of paid experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility with relevant taxa OR, an equivalent combination of education and experience, including qualifying unpaid AZA internships, to successfully perform the essential duties.

Minimum Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (preference for animal science related field).

Department: Conservation, Education and Science

Direct Supervisor: Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator

Supervisory Responsibility: Direct (0); Indirect (0) 

Primary Work Location: Zoo setting both indoors and outdoors.

Certification: Valid Oklahoma driver’s license within thirty (30) days of hire and pass driver’s history check. Completion of OKC Zoo Learning Management System (LMS) in the first six (6) months of employment.

Other: This position is safety sensitive. It is subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks and drug testing.  This position works around animals susceptible to specific respiratory diseases, and thus is subject to annual tuberculosis testing.

Job Summary: The senior animal ambassador caretaker ensures the wellbeing of OKC Zoo’s assigned ambassador animals and maintains their environments through daily husbandry practices. This position also enhances guest experience by presenting animals and interacting with guests to provide positive, memorable experiences.  Overall, the position performs a variety of skilled/semi-skilled work required for the care and safety of animals, OKC Zoo staff, and the public.

Essential Job Functions

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:

• Perform and demonstrate technical skills to accomplish daily advanced animal husbandry tasks and assessments related to: food, water, cleanliness, health, animal transfers, behavior, and welfare. 
• Recognize, interpret, and respond to animal behavior changes and health concerns for relevant taxa. 
• Keep detailed digital and written records of animal weight, health, enrichment, training and behavior.
• Mentor and train staff and volunteers on ambassador animal handling, training, and presentation techniques for educational programs. 
• Monitor animal use to ensure proper handling and welfare standards are met. Perform additional training responsibilities as assigned.
• Independently maintain and renovate exhibits, service/ work areas, and equipment, includes using power tools.
• Conceptualize and implement daily purposeful enrichment and documentation to promote, encourage, and evaluate goal-based behavioral outcomes. 
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding and execution of operant conditioning principles to train progressive behaviors including during educational presentations. Participate in all required animal training programs. 
• Monitor animal health and assist in veterinary medical procedures; provide medication and treatment to animals as directed by veterinary staff. Assist in scheduling veterinary procedures as required. 
• Educate and interact with guests in both formal and informal settings; provide positive, memorable guest experiences. 
• Support and contribute to the development and delivery of diverse ambassador animal programs, ensuring effective engagement and educational impact.
• Represent the Zoo knowledgeably and professionally during all working hours, including at external community events.
• Collaborate with other zoo departments.
• Understand and follow all of the Zoo’s safety and emergency protocols. Participate in and respond to safety-related issues and drills.
• Gather science-b