So You Want To Be A Zoo Keeper
Some Thoughts on Achieving this Goal
Courtesy of A.A.Z.K. and A. Mohr
The job of zoo keeper is one that has been around for a long time, but it is
also one which has undergone many changes as zoos have moved away from the
menagerie era into a time when they are institutions dedicated to conservation,
education and research. Years ago, zoo keepers weren't required to have any
specialized training-they basically needed to be physically strong enough to
carry out the manual labor associated with the job. Their basic duties were to
feed and clean up after the animals. Period. That is not the case today when zoo
keepers are called upon to be skilled record keepers, keen observers of animal
behavior, creative mechanics with tools and exhibit construction, and public
educators to the millions of visitors who visit the nation's zoos each year.
Knowledge of both operant conditioning and enrichment is now a basic
requirement. Today’s keeper must also understand the role of conservation in the
zoo field. Although hiring requirements vary greatly from zoo to zoo, by
geographic region, by the size and scope of the facility's collection, etc., the
better trained you are, the better your chances in most cases.
The basic educational requirement for an entry level zoo keeper position has
been a high school diploma or GED. However, more and more zoos are seeking
individuals with Associate and Bachelor's degrees in Zoology, Biology, Animal
Management and related fields to fill position openings. Having such a degree
will give you an advantage in this job market. When zoos are hiring they are
also looking for individuals who have good interpersonal skills, communicate
effectively (both spoken and written), can work as part of a team-oriented
effort, and are comfortable interacting with the public and with volunteers. Zoo
keepers must also be physically fit and able to handle the sometimes demanding
physical labor involved with this profession.
Many zoos are also looking for individuals with practical animal experience.
Some ways to achieve this may include: working at a vet clinic, volunteering at
a local wildlife rehabilitation center, humane society, or participating in a
zoo internship program. (This is where a zookeeper focused college program can
really come in handy. You walk away with a 2 or 4 year degree AND hands-on
experience with animals.)
In considering the zoo keeping profession, it is also important to realize that
there are more people interested in getting into this field than there are
presently jobs available. This fact is not meant to discourage you, but to make
you think realistically about your choice and whether or not you are willing to
be persistent to achieve your goal to become a zoo keeper. Remember that most
internships are not paid. Sometimes it may be necessary to take a position at a
zoo that is not animal related in order to "get into the system" in order to be
able to apply for animal keeping positions when they become available. Some
institutions do promote or hire from "within" so already being inside the system
may help out. Sometimes it may be necessary to take a non-animal keeping job and
volunteer your time at a zoo at which you would like to work until a position
opens up. A good, dependable volunteer usually makes a good, dependable
employee, so don't overlook this option while you are searching for a zoo job.
While the zoo keeping profession was, for many years, a male-dominated one, that
is not the case anymore. The profession is split about 40-60 for males and
females and in some cases the percentage of females employed at a facility may
be greater than the number of males employed. Both sexes are certainly equally
competent to perform the responsibilities required for this profession.
Because of the nature of the work, zoo keepers must be willing to work "less
than typical" work schedules. This may mean that your "weekend" is on
Wednesday/Thursday rather than the traditional Saturday/Sunday. Zoo keepers must
not only be willing to work weekends, but holidays as well. This does not mean
you will work every holiday, but certainly some will fall within your work
schedule. While zoos do have set hours for employees, there may be times when
you will need to come in before or after regular hours to check on a sick
animal, deliver medications, participate in a pregnancy watch, etc. You must be
flexible in these situations.
Many people often ask what can be expected in the way of salary for zoo keepers.
This is a difficult question to answer as there are many factors affecting this.
Salaries will vary greatly depending on some of the following factors: size of
zoo, whether it is municipally or privately owned, its geographic location, and
whether the staff is union or non-union. Entry-level keeper position wages may
range from a low of $6.00 per hour to an upper range of $10.00 per hour. Most
full-time zoo keeper positions offer benefit packages, but these may vary
greatly also, some will provide full benefits (health and life insurance,
retirement, sick leave, vacation time) while others may offer only limited
benefit packages. Since beginning wages are not high (considering the amount of
education and training many zoos require in an employee), you should look
carefully at the benefits package when making a career choice.
1993 SURVEY
In a survey conducted in January 1993 among the 2600 members of AAZK, Inc., the
following was a breakdown in annual income levels for zoo keepers (based on 5%
survey response):
$10,000/LESS 0%
$10,000/15,000 4%
$15,000/20,000 42%
$20,000/25,000 40%
$25,000/30,000 7%
$30,000/35,000 7%
Some responsibilities of zoo keepers may include, but are not limited to,
feeding and maintenance/cleaning for animals; diet preparation; behavioral
observation; record keeping; exhibit maintenance and/or construction; providing
environmental enrichment for the animals in their care; assisting veterinary
staff in medical procedures; conducting behavioral or reproductive research on a
species; participating in public education through talks or programs/shows; and
possibly grounds or facilities maintenance. While zoo keepers certainly have
interaction with their animals in various situations, zoo keeping is not a
profession where you “play with the animals.” Animals held in a captive
situation are still wild animals, not pets, and may be unpredictable in their
behavior. Good zoo keepers need to have a keen observation sense and learn to
know the idiosyncrasies of individual animals in their care. This is not only
important for picking up on when an animal may be sick or behaving unnaturally,
but is also vitally important for keeper safety. Because keepers work with
animals that are potentially dangerous, a strict adherence to safety practices
and use of common sense is an important aspect of this profession.
Once you have completed your educational requirements and hopefully gained some
practical experience along the way, how do you look for a job as a zoo keeper?
You may send resumes out to zoos at which you are interested in working. Along
with your resume include a letter of interest expressing your career goals in
the profession. Municipally-owned zoos will often advertise zoo keeper position
openings in their local newspapers. Many zoos advertise positions nationally
through either the AAZK's Animal Keepers' Forum or the American Zoo and Aquarium
Association's Communique. These publications may be obtained through membership
in either AAZK or AZA. AZA membership requires sponsorship from someone already
in the zoo field; AAZK membership is open to those not yet in the zoo field
under the Associate category. Many zoo libraries may have either the Communique
or Animal Keepers' Forum available to look at for current job listings. Both
AAZK and AZA also list job openings and internships on their respective websites
(aazk.org and aza.org) A publication entitled JOB-SCAN is put out by The Student
Conservation Association, Charleston, NH, and includes job opportunities in
state, federal, private and public animal facilities/programs. Available by
subscription.
The vast majority of people in the zoo keeping profession are there because they
truly care about their animals, they are concerned with the state of the
ecosystem, they are conservation-minded and try to pass this message on to the
zoo visitor, and they enjoy the daily challenge of providing the best possible
captive situation for the animals in their care. Good zoo keepers go beyond the
basic requirements to promote an enriching environment for their animals. This
profession, while never likely to include six-figure salaries, has many
intrinsic qualities and rewards which attract people to it.
Zoo and Aquarium Career Opportunities
Courtesy of AZA
With more than 110 million people visiting AZA institutions annually, all zoo
and aquarium employees have the opportunity to educate the public about the
critical need for the conservation of wildlife and wild lands. This
responsibility assures an interesting and rewarding career, but the profession
requires more than a commitment to conservation - it requires hard work. Zoo and
aquarium employment is not always glamorous. Much of the work requires physical
strength, as well as the ability to make detailed observations and keep
information up-to-date. It takes a special kind of dedication to provide care to
captive animals that require attention 24 hours a day, seven days a week, come
snow, rain, or shine. The rewards for such efforts are great. Zoo and aquarium
employees share in the knowledge that they are providing the best care for the
creatures in their facility, as well as developing a forum for others to learn
how they too can participate in the conservation of our planet's natural
resources.
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. However, advanced academic training
by itself is insufficient, and it may take years of "on-the-job training" for
someone to learn the practical aspects of exotic animal care. A few institutions
offer curatorial internships which are designed to provide practical experience.
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.
SALARIES
Salaries for zoo and aquarium employees vary depending on the institution and
its location. Institutions located in metropolitan areas generally offer higher
salaries. An animal keeper's salary can range from minimum wage to more than
$30,000 a year, depending on skills and tenure. Salaries for other employees
usually compare favorably with those prevailing in that region.
POSITIONS
Listed below are some positions in zoos and aquariums and a
brief description of duties. Not all positions are found in all facilities, and
responsibilities often vary.
Director/Chief Operating Officer - Executes policies as directed by the
governing authority. Responsible for the institution's operation and plans for
future development.
Assistant Director - Assists the director and assumes charge in the
director's absence.
Finance Manager/Director - Manages the institution's finances, including
payment of bills, purchasing, investments, and the preparation of financial
statements.
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.
Registrar - Maintains computer records on the animal collection and
applies for permits and licenses to hold or transport animals.
Curator/Coordinator/Director of Research - Supervises research projects,
serves as liaison between the institution and the academic community, and
publishes articles in scientific journals.
Curator/Coordinator/Director of Conservation - Oversees the institution's
conservation activities, including field projects. Serves as liaison with
government wildlife agencies and other conservation organizations.
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.
Operations Director/Manager - Responsible for the daily operation of the
institution's physical plant and equipment.
Curator of Exhibits - Creates exhibits and assists in the design of
graphics.
Curator of Horticulture - Responsible for the botanical collection and
its application to the animal collection, as well as daily maintenance of the
institution's grounds.
Curator of Education - Plans and implements the institution's education
programs.
Public Relations/Affairs Manager/Director - Promotes the institution, its
mission, and its programs to the public via the media.
Development Director/Officer - Develops and manages fund-raising
activities which can include writing grant proposals and attracting corporate
sponsors, as well as soliciting private donations.
Marketing Director/Manager - Creates advertising campaigns and other
activities to increase public awareness of the institution.
Special Events Manager/Coordinator - Develops and implements events to
attract visitors throughout the year.
Membership Director/Manager - Responsible for maintaining and increasing
institution memberships for families and individuals and designing special
events for members only. May also be in charge of "adopt-an-animal" programs to
raise funds.
Gift Shop Manager - Manages staff and all aspects of gift shop operation
from buying products to designing shops.
Visitor Services Manager - Supervises the staff and facilities that cater
to the visiting public including concessions and restrooms.
Personnel Manager/Director - Responsible for all personnel matters
including payroll, insurance, and tax matters.
Volunteer Coordinator - Responsible for recruiting and maintaining a
staff of volunteers/docents. Duties include scheduling docents for on- and
off-grounds activities and keeping docents abreast of new developments to relate
to the public.
Docent Volunteer - Duties may include diet preparation, small animal
care, teaching educational programs, leading group tours, and staffing special
events.
Junior Keeper - Some institutions offer a summer program for high
schoolstudents who wish to volunteer in a zoo or aquarium setting. Duties
areoften similar to those of other volunteers, but they are supervised much more
closely.
Improving Your Chances of Getting a Keeper Job
Courtesy of A.A.Z.K.
Although most zoos will be looking for experienced and academically able staff
you can improve your chances by amassing various other skills. If you already
have keeping experience then so much the better, however the following will be a
big help.
(a) Learn to drive a tractor or a bulldozer type vehicle. Many zoos use Bobcat,
John Deere, and Cushman vehicles. Again this is something many keepers have to
learn to do. If you are already versed in the art in reversing a trailer you get
yourself an extra point.
(b) Learn First Aid. Any attraction which is open to the public needs someone
accredited by the Red Cross in First Aid (including CPR). Zoos have to pay to
train their own staff. This is costly in both time and money so if you have
already got this potential, employers will look more favorably upon you.
(c) Learn to shoot. Get yourself a firearm certificate. Any zoo which holds
large and/or dangerous animals will be required to have a procedure for
dangerous animal escape. This will normally involve the use of firearms. If you
already have a certificate this is another plus.
(d) Become computer literate. Although larger zoos will have their own records
officer, the smaller zoos usually do not. Being familiar with a computer and the
main software packages ARKS, SPARKS, MedARKS would stand you in good stead.
(e) Build up a range of useful skills. Take a look at the various short term
courses advertised by zoos or other animal related organizations. Workshops on
animal behavior, operant conditioning, enrichment, animal restraint, zoo record
keeping and other subjects are often offered at professional conferences.
(f) If time and money are no object then some very useful courses are run by the
Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, i.e. The Jersey Summer School or their
Certificate in Endangered Species Management (http://www.jerseyattractions.com/zoo).
Demand for places is high so get your name down early.
(g) Get some experience in wildlife rehabilitation. Ask the Humane Society or
State Fish and Wildlife Office for the address of nearest rehabber. These people
could do with the help, so the benefits go both ways.
(h) Look at seasonal zoo employment and internships. Many of the larger zoos
will take on temporary employees during the summer. Although there is no
guarantee of you being kept on full time, it is possible, it has happened. Plus
you will gain useful hands-on training to include on your resume for future job
applications. Some zoos even work cooperatively to offer college level students
academic credit for summer internships at a zoological facility.
(i) Become involved. If a particular species holds your interest, find out if
there is a Taxon Advisory Group for it. Check out the chairperson and volunteer
to do research on behalf of the TAG. Most of the people involved are
overstretched and could do with the help. It is a toe on the ladder, and if you
prove useful it may mean moving up a few rungs. TAG group coordinators are
listed on the AZA website at www.aza.org
(j) While in school or on your own, hone your writing and public speaking
skills. Zoo Keepers are often the "front-line" educators for the visiting
public, and need to be able to express themselves (both written and orally) in a
competent and professional manner.