| Location | Albuquerque, NM |
| Salary | $19.13–$20.09 Per Hour |
\t\t\t\t\t
ABQ BioPark
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Zookeeper I-III Ambassador Team
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
The Albuquerque (ABQ) BioPark, the most visited attraction in New Mexico (1.2M annual visitors) is a dynamic cultural facility including an AZA accredited zoo and aquarium, a botanic garden and public park with fishing ponds. The BioPark is a beloved community jewel. The voters of the Albuquerque community voted in favor of a fifteen-year 1/8 cent gross receipts tax (GRT) in 2015 to support the implementation of the BioPark's master plan. This support has allowed the BioPark Zoo to make important additions to the zoo including a new elephant barn, Asia, Birds of Prey exhibit, nearly $10M in maintenance infrastructure improvements and the opening of new Asia and Australia exhibits in 2023. In addition to broad community support for capital improvements, the BioPark is currently in the midst of strategic planning process that has identified a new mission, core values and strategic program pillars to guide our work over the next five years. We are excited to have this process evolve alongside a master plan review and update process that aligns capital improvements with program development that is focused on community engagement and conservation impacts.
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
The ABQ BioPark has been continuously accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) for more than 30 years, demonstrating the BioPark's ongoing leadership in animal welfare and veterinary care, conservation, education, guest experience and safety. At the core of the BioPark's AZA accreditation is the professional staff dedicated to the care of our living collections. This position, once hired, will automatically be enrolled in the BioPark's Animal Care Excellence (ACE) program a new certification program that allows animal care staff to advance in their careers through ongoing training and development opportunities while also improving the lives of the animals entrusted to our care. Employees follow a curriculum of online and in-person trainings about a range of topics including animal wellness, nutrition, animal training and enrichment. The program allows for four distinct animal care staff levels, with each level receiving increased responsibilities and higher pay. This position will be hired at a Level I, II or III depending on experience and education. For more information about the ACE Program: New Certification Program at the ABQ BioPark Will Offer Career Advancement, Ensure Continued Excellence in Animal Care - City of Albuquerque (cabq.gov)
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Position Summary
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
The Ambassador Animal Team at the ABQ BioPark is one of the most unique animal teams at the park! The successful Ambassador Animal Team candidate will be passionate about conservation and engaging the public during programming while also working with a variety of animals including: birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. As part of the Ambassador Animal Team, the preferred candidate will also collaborate with the Education Team and other animal teams from around the park on animal encounters, conservation education, and animal themed programming for special events.
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Maintain and care for a variety of animals within the BioPark; assist curatorial and veterinary staff as needed and perform a variety of activities relative to the assigned area of responsibility.
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
These positions are part of the BioPark Training and Certification program.
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Working Conditions
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Environmental:
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Zoo environment; exposure, a variety of domestic and exotic animals, noise, animal body fluids, and inclement weather conditions; may work in or around water.
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Physical:
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing, walking, reaching, bending, squatting, kneeling, and climbing for prolonged periods of time; heavy, moderate or light lifting, pulling or pushing.
\t\t\t\t\t
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Experience Required
\t\t\t\t\t
Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements \t\t\t\t\tEducation directly related to the minimum requirements below may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tZOOKEEPER I ($19.13 - $20.09/hr) \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tHigh school diploma or GED; and \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tTwo (2) years of experience in any combination of the following areas: \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\texotic animal husbandry \t\t\t\t\tzookeeping \t\t\t\t\tarthropod rearing \t\t\t\t\t Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tAdditional Requirements: \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tPossession of a valid New Mexico Driver\s License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tPossession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tZOOKEEPER II ($20.19-$21.20/hr) \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tHigh school diploma or GED; and \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tThree (3) years of experience in any combination of the following areas: \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\texotic animal husbandry \t\t\t\t\tzookeeping \t\t\t\t\tarthropod rearing \t\t\t\t\tExperience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tAdditional Requirements: \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tPossession of a valid New Mexico Driver\s License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tPossession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tMust have completed Level 1 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or have 15 college level credit hours of college level work in biology, zoology, or animal science. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tZOOKEEPER III ($21.83-$22.86/hr) \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tHigh school diploma or GED, supplemented by thirty (30) credit hours of college level course work in zoology, biology, or animal science; and \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tFour (4) years of experience in any combination of the following areas: \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\texotic animal husbandry \t\t\t\t\tzookeeping \t\t\t\t\tarthropod rearing \t\t\t\t\tExperience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tAdditional Requirements: \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tPossession of a valid New Mexico Driver\s License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tPossession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tMust have completed Level 2 of the BioPark Training and Certification Program, or 15 credit hours of college level course work in zoology, biology, or animal science. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tScuba certified or the ability to obtain a scuba certification within 1 year of hire for pertinent departments.
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Further Comments
\t\t\t\t\t
Additional Requirements: \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tPossession of a valid New Mexico Driver\s License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire. \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tPossession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
How to Apply
\t\t\t\t\t
All applicants must apply on-line at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cabq/jobs/5429106-0/zookeeper-i-iii
\t\t\t\t\t
ABQ BioPark
903 Tenth St SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: 505.768.3700
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Visit our website
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
Like us on Facebook
\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t Return to All Job Posts \t\t\t\t\t