Lead Animal Care Specialist - Australasia

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do.

The Lead Animal Care Specialist – Australasia supports the daily operations of the Australasia department, which includes wallabies, kangaroos, tree kangaroos, gibbons, otters, flying foxes, fishing cats, clouded leopards, sarus cranes, and select reptile species. While the majority of the role involves standard Animal Care Specialist duties, the Lead also provides essential team support. This includes assisting with scheduling, work orders, operational planning, and coordination of area activities, as well as offering peer mentorship and guidance. The Lead also helps field calls and manage requests in the absence of the Assistant Curator. This is not a supervisory position, but it carries elevated responsibilities in support of the team and department operations.

Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If you're excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is the place for you!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Animal Care

• Provide innovative animal husbandry that follows or exceeds AZA and USDA standards.
• Maintain proper animal enclosures/props/exhibits and Life Support Systems, where appropriate, to meet all species’ needs and requirements.
• Capture, handle, and move animals using accepted DZCA practices to facilitate internal movement, external shipping, medical procedures, or normal routines.
• Monitor physical and behavioral aspects of the animals under assigned care.
• Implement behavioral programs that support species-appropriate behaviors and advance medical and daily care routines.
• Record data and prepare assigned reports and logs (e.g., daily reports, enclosure logs, facility logs, water quality data) to inform ongoing care and operational improvement.

In addition, the Lead Animal Care Specialist may:

• Help maintain an animal training program consistent with DZCA’s philosophy and AZA standards.
• Assist with scheduling, planning, work orders, and coordination of area activities.
• Coordinate the efforts of contractors and maintenance staff working in animal areas.
• Perform traditional Animal Care Specialist duties while also guiding team consistency and operational follow-through.

Collaboration

• Work closely with other team members to achieve area goals and expectations.
• Train fellow Animal Care Specialists, interns, and volunteers in standard routines and best practices for animal care.
• Cooperate and coordinate with other departments (e.g., education, maintenance, horticulture) and outside contractors.
• Maintain professional working relationships with zoo team members.
• Actively participate in conservation and research projects as assigned.
• Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees, and workgroups.

In addition, the Lead Animal Care Specialist may:

• Act as the point of contact in the absence of the Assistant Curator for calls, questions, or team needs.
• Collaborate with the Curator, Assistant Curator, or Duty Officer on planning, communication, and execution of area goals.
• Support team feedback and acts as a peer resource for technical questions and operational context.
• Represent DZCA in AZA or other external communications when assigned.

Guest Experience

• Interact with DZCA guests in both formal and informal settings, providing insight into the animals and their care.
• Provide area behind-the-scenes tours, up-close looks, keeper talks, and special events in areas of responsibility as needed.
• Participate in educational programs as assigned.
• Maintain a professional appearance, following uniform guidelines.

Facilities and Operations

• Respond to zoo-wide animal-related emergencies.
• Coordinate with contractors and maintenance staff when they are working in animal areas.
• Follow DZCA safety protocols.
• Demonstrate a commitment to DZCA’s Occupational Health, Safety, Environmental & Sustainability Policies by adhering to all environmental, safety, and health regulations, procedures, and goals.

In addition, the Le