Animal Keeper (Quarantine Keeper)

SALARY & FLSA: $33.49 - $38.25 per hour; FLSA non-exempt

$33.49 - $38.25. The starting rate for this role is $33.49 Every employee under the Joint Crafts Council wage scale, on first appointment, will receive the first step of the salary range for the position. Employees will advance to the second step at the start of the pay period after their one-year anniversary and each milestone thereafter (3 years, 6 years, 11 years, and 17 years of service) with Step 6 being the maximum pay rate.

OPENING DATE: 03/06/2026
CLOSING DATE: 03/23/2026 (This role may close sooner or be extended based on the number of qualified applicants received.)
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Regular
UNION: Represented
OPENINGS: 2
LOCATION: Onsite
DEPARTMENT: Animal Health

 

The anticipated schedule for this position is 5 days a week from 7:30 AM -4 PM. This schedule may change due to operational needs.

 

HOW DO YOU ZOO?
More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.

WHO YOU ARE
As our new Animal Keeper, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:

• Bring hands-on animal care experience and sound judgment – Through related experience and training, you support daily husbandry, animal welfare, and safe operations with care, consistency, and attention to detail.

• Adaptable, dependable, and ready to respond – You’re comfortable with on-call responsibilities and working evenings, weekends, and holidays, and you consistently show up prepared to meet the needs of animals and the team.

• Clear communicator and practical problem-solver – You can read and interpret scientific and technical information, respond professionally to visitor or media inquiries, and share information clearly with coworkers and leadership.
• Mission-driven and values-centered – You demonstrate a strong commitment to the zoo’s mission and Core Values, bringing professionalism, respect, and integrity to your work every day.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning and Coordination

• Work with incoming animal veterinary staff and curators to plan and schedule new animal arrivals—determine appropriate and available housing for incoming animals.
• Attend incoming animal planning meetings.
• Plan housing (appropriate space, lighting, temperature, humidity) and dietary requirements to ensure optimal welfare of animal arrivals.
• Ensure space for incoming animals is prepared and ready when they arrive; ensure diet items are ordered from commissary and stocked prior to animal arrival.
• Update the Animal Health Quarantine Space Assignments map weekly and distribute.

Animal Arrival and Intake

• Arrange for animal arrival/receipt and unload into prepared space.
• Weigh and photograph the animal on arrival.
• Review and distribute documentation accompanying the animal.
• Contact registrar with identifying information and request accession number creation.
• Notify sending institution and other WPZ personnel that the animal has arrived and report its condition.
• Clean and disinfect shipping crates; arrange for return to the sending institution as necessary.

Quarantine Care and Compliance

• Follow all directives from veterinarians regarding quarantine plan including testing and duration.
• Follow required quarantine PPE, disinfection, and waste disposal requirements.
• Complete significant life event welfare assessment after animal arrival.
• Participate in quarantine examinations with veterinarian and/or veterinary technicians.
• Implement agreed-upon training of animals while in quarantine.

Communication and Transfer

• Communicate with receiving animal care staff about status of animal and estimate timing for transfer to unit.
• Coordinate and participate in transfer of animal to unit once quarantine period ends.

Facilities and Equipment Maintenance

• Keep Animal Health quarantine area and back parking lot cl