What kind of jobs can you find at a zoo?

Question

I'm looking into what kind of education do you need for working with the animals and taking care of them?

Answer 1

http://www.aza.org/ForEveryone/Careers/

Requirements

The conservation and scientific programs in zoos and aquariums have become highly technical and specialized. Although practical experience with animals may sometimes be substituted for academic training, most entry-level keeper positions now require a four-year college degree. Training in animal science, zoology, marine biology, conservation biology, wildlife management, and animal behavior is preferred. Curatorial, research, and conservation positions typically require advanced academic degrees.

Students wishing to pursue animal-related careers are encouraged to carefully review the curriculum of the schools they wish to attend, as some programs focus more on a zoological application than others. Students who are interested in the business side of zoo and aquarium operations should concentrate on skills related to a particular area of expertise, such as accounting, public relations, marketing, personnel management, etc. Whatever your career goal, guidance counselors can offer assistance in determining the most appropriate course of study.

Positions

General Curator

Oversees an institution's entire animal collection and animal management staff. Responsible for strategic collection planning.

Animal Curator

Manages a certain portion of an institution's animal collection; i.e., mammals, birds, fish,reptiles, etc.

Veterinarian

Responsible for the healthcare program for the animal collection and the maintenance of health records.

Veterinary Technician

Assists the veterinarian and provides care to the animals under the supervision of the veterinarian.

Conservation Biologist/Zoologist

Provides scientific and technical assistance in the management of the animal collection and assists in conducting various research or field conservation projects.

Head Keeper/Aquarist

Supervises a section or department of the institution; provides training and scheduling for keepers.

Senior Keeper/Aquarist

Provides primary animal care for a department.

Keeper/Aquarist

Provides daily care to the institution's animals, including diet preparation, cleaning, general exhibit maintenance, and record keeping.

Junior Keeper

Some institutions offer a summer program for high school students who wish to volunteer in a zoo or aquarium setting. Duties are often similar to those of other volunteers, but they are supervised much more closely.

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kids/job_prof...

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kids/jobs_ani...

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/jobs/keeper_f...

How do I become an animal keeper?

There is no single way to become a keeper, but the more education and hands-on experience you have, the better.

Education– While you’re in school, learn as much as you can in your science classes. In college, choose a degree program in animal-related fields like biology, zoology, botany, ecology, conservation science, or animal behavior. Take as many different courses in those areas as you can, and graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in your chosen field. (Here’s a BIG hint: the competition for jobs caring for animals is so strong that you really HAVE to have a college degree these days to be considered.)

Hands-on Experience– Find opportunities to work with animals. Some potential keepers have volunteered at our department of Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES), assisting CRES scientists and technicians. Sometimes work-study opportunities are available for college students.

What are some other ways to gain animal experience?

Some places to look for volunteer jobs or internships might be:

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Veterinary offices

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Animal training classes (does your dog need obedience training?)

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Local Humane Society

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Local Park Service

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Wildlife rehabilitation centers (like for wolves, bears, big cats, birds of prey, and even bats)

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Animal shelters

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Farms (for domestic animals, or even ostrich, llama, or butterfly farms)

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Pet breeders (those that breed specific kinds of dogs, cats, or horses)

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ Horse stables and boarding facilities

    ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¢ 4-H Clubs

http://www.seaworld.org/career-resources...

http://www.seaworld.org/career-resources...

http://www.aazk.org/zoo_career.php

http://www.seaworld.org/career-resources...

http://www.seaworld.org/career-resources...

http://www.wonderferret.com/zooed/

http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_s...

http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets...

http://www.amazon.com/Kicked-Bitten-Scra...

http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_s...

Answer 2

There are many different jobs in zoos - not just zookeepers, but curators, managers, shop workers, restaurant workers, public entertainers, groundskeepers, etc. Different jobs require different levels of education and experience.

If it is being an animal keeper you are specifically interested in, most zoos are more interested in experience with animals and the ability to work hard than in qualifications - I used to be a zookeeper and got the job without any qualifications other than GCSEs. Having higher qualifications is no guarantee of getting the job (my boss told me he's had people come in with degrees who didn't know which end an elephant craps out of!), and not having them is no guarantee you won't get the job. Volunteering at a zoo or animal sanctuary is a good way of gaining experience.

I should point out that a zookeeper's pay is generally quite poor - I earned minimum wage. Many people want to work with animals, so they don't need to tempt workers with high pay. The hours are long and you may not be paid for any overtime worked - in the zoo I worked at, you were paid only between 8am and 5pm, even if you arrived at 6.30am and didn't leave til 7pm. You are also required to work weekends and public holidays without additional pay.

You often do not have a choice as to which animals you work with when you become a zookeeper. Most zoos will simply take you on as a keeper and place you where you are needed, though you can request to work with certain animals if and when a position with them becomes available.

The work is physically very hard, and you will be dealing with people, in the shape of the public, as much as with animals. Indeed, there is often little interaction with the animals you care for - the majority of the job is cleaning (picking up faeces, sweeping up straw, window cleaning, etc.). Things like hand-rearing baby animals and knocking animals out for medical procedures happen only rarely - TV shows about zoos make out that these sorts of things happen every day, which paints a very unrealistic picture of what actually goes on in zoos.

However, if you are prepared to work hard, get your hands dirty (and I mean REALLY dirty!), be asked the same question fifteen hundred times a day and so on, it can be very rewarding. Good luck!

Answer 3

In this day and age most keeper positions require a four year degree in a related subject (zoology, biology, nautral resources, aquatic ecology, etc) as well as experience.  However some places will sub a four year degree for a two if you have more experience or even no degree for a ton of expereince.  It all depends on the zoo and the job.

With needed experience most zoos have seasonal keeper positions for college kids during the summer.  You can also get expereince working most any place that involves caring for animals, aquarium, vet clinic, farm, pet store (non-puppy mill one), nature center, rescue center, etc, etc, etc.

If you want to take a look at what most zoos require for a keeper position check out aza.org under their job posting section, it should help a ton.

Good luck.  Any questions please ask.