Seasonal Animal Care Specialist

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations.

DZCA honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe:
Safety, Care, Connect and by embracing our Core Values of:
Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do.

The Seasonal Animal Care Specialist will support DZCA’s mission by providing the safe exhibition, handling, feeding, and husbandry to the Zoo’s collection animals. The position will also support guest engagement goals, including public demonstrations and talks. All Seasonal Animal Care Specialists will be expected to regularly interact with guests of various ages, as well as other staff and volunteers. Applicants will be asked to rank these areas in order of preference later in the application:

• Animal Ambassadors- includes a variety of amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates. The primary duty in this area will be to engage guests on grounds daily through live animal handling meet and greets. General husbandry tasks like cleaning and diet preparation will also be part of this role.
• Australasia- includes clouded leopards, gibbons, Asian small-clawed otters, Geoffroy’s cat, fishing cat, macropods, and some birds and reptiles
• Birds- includes supporting public program for an interactive lorikeet feeding experience, African penguin demonstrations, and flamingo activations, as well as supporting a diverse bird collection of ratites, water birds, cranes, raptors, hornbills, a large variety of soft-bill species, and an avian propagation center
• Carnivores- includes Amur and Sumatran tigers, grizzly bear, raccoons, lions, spotted hyenas, African wild dogs, serval, and California sea lions
• Hoofstock- includes a diverse collection of antelope, equid, giraffe, avian and camelid species
• Pachyderms- includes black rhino, Nile hippo, greater one-horned rhino, Malayan tapir, red river hogs, and bighorn sheep
• Primates- includes great apes, Old World monkeys, New World moneys, prosimians, some birds and other small mammal species
• Tropical Discovery- includes a variety of amphibians, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, and some mammals

Our staff is a dedicated and diverse group of individuals committed to providing quality care to our animals while creating moments of awe for guests. If you are a like-minded individual and thrive in a dynamic, fast paced and innovative culture, DZCA is the place for you!

• Adheres to and promotes DZCA’s mission, core values, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide innovative animal husbandry that is in compliance with AZA and USDA standards
• Provide reliable, competent animal care through:
  • Preparation and feeding of approved diets.
  • Monitoring of physical and behavioral aspects of the animals under assigned care.
  • Implementation of the behavioral program of the animals under assigned care.
  • Designing and maintaining proper animal enclosures/props/exhibits.
  • Handling and restraining animals appropriately.
  • Assisting with veterinary care and medical follow-up as needed.
  • Utilizing preventative husbandry techniques and providing proactive health care as required.
  • Provide proper care for eggs, neonates and young.
• Capture, handle, and move animals using accepted DZCA practices to facilitate internal movement, external shipping, medical procedures, or normal routines.
• Enhance breeding possibilities through the recommendation and implementation of approved animal management techniques such as breeding efforts, behavioral enrichment, and operant conditioning.
• Interact with DZCA guests in both formal and informal settings, providing insight about the animals and their care.
• Provide area tours, keeper talks and work special events in area of responsibility as needed.
• Coordinate the efforts of contractors and maintenance staff when they are working in animal areas.
• Record data and prepare assigned reports/records, (i.e. daily reports, enclosure logs, facility…