Animal Care Apprentice

Oglebay Good Zoo

Animal Care Apprentice

Oglebay Good Zoo, the only AZA-accredited institution in West Virginia, is recruiting for a 6-month animal care apprenticeship position from December 2026 - June 2027.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Participation in daily care of zoo animals (non-dangerous species) including diet preparation and feeding

Sanitation and disinfection of zoo animal habitats

Zoo animal behavioral observation

Participation in operant conditioning via positive reinforcement training (development of successive approximations, implementation, evaluation, and revision)

Participation in planning, creation, provision, and assessment of environmental enrichment

Participation in interpretive programming and interactive guest programs

Participation in animal wellbeing assessments

Skills training sessions will include sessions on animal husbandry, behavior management, animal movement (shifting, crating, and transport), animal identification techniques, animal wellbeing, animal nutrition, observed veterinary procedures, safe management of protected contact (dangerous species) and guest interaction skills.

Experience Required

Bachelors degree in animal science, biology, ecology, wildlife and fisheries

Perks

Free on-site housing. Daily lunch meal is available free of charge on resort property.

Salary

Stipend of $1,040 per 2 weeks

How to Apply

Please email your resumé to both Susan Greathouse, Curator of Animal Wellbeing and Behavior Management, and Mindi White, Curator of Animals, at sgreathouse@oglebay.com and mwhite@oglebay.com.

Oglebay Good Zoo

465 Lodge Drive

Wheeling, WV 26003

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