Zookeeper I, II, III

Position Summary

This position will be assigned to the elephant department.

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. 

These positions are part of the BioPark Training and Certification program. 

This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing. 

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.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

Education directly related to the minimum requirements below may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

ZOOKEEPER I, B23 ($18.07 – $19.07/hr)

High school diploma or GED; and

Two (2) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

• exotic animal husbandry
• zookeeping
• arthropod rearing

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.

Additional Requirements:

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire. 

Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.

ZOOKEEPER II, B26 ($19.47-$20.47/hr)

High school diploma or GED; and

Three (3) years of experience in any combination of the following areas:

• exotic animal husbandry
• zookeeping
• arthropod rearing

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred. 

Additional Requirements:

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire. 

Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.

Must 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. 

ZOOKEEPER III, B29 ($21.30-$22.30/hr)

High school diploma or GED, supplemented by thirty (30) credit hours of college level course work in zoology, biology, or animal science; and 

Four (4) years of experience in any combination of the following areas: 

• exotic animal husbandry
• zookeeping
• arthropod rearing

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred. 

Additional Requirements:

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire. 

Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within 6 months from hire date.

Must 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.

Scuba certified or the ability to obtain a scuba certification within 1 year of hire for pertinent departments.

Preferred Knowledge

• Principles and practices of animal behavior and physiology
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices
• Operations, services and activities of a biological park program
• Methods and techniques of handling a variety of animals

Preferred Skills & Abilities

• Work independently in the absence of supervision
• Ability to learn operations, services and activities of a biological park program
• Ability to learn methods and techniques of handling a variety of animals
• Learn to prepare adequate diets and operate equipment for safe animal/arthropod consumption
• Work with a variety of domestic and wild animals/arthropods
• Clean and maintain assigned animal enclosures according to established BioPark guidelines
• Communicate clearly and concisely
• Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

City of Albuquerque Employee Benefits

The City is committed to providing employees one of the most comprehensive and reasonably priced benefit packages available in New Mexico. We hope that you will find the coverage offered provides you with the choices and options necessary to keep you and your family healthy and well.

The City offers regular, full-time and part-time employees the option of participating in a variety of group insurance plans. Both Regular and Temporary (non-seasonal) employees participate in the state’s retirement system.

Additional Benefit information is available by clicking on the links below.

General Benefits

Fire Department

Albuquerque Police Department

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