Mammal Care Specialist

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Final date to receive applications: 22 February 2026 and/or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to close the posting early if a well-qualified candidate pool has been established.
Early submission is encouraged.

Please ensure that your application highlights your experience and qualifications as they relate to the responsibilities of this role.

Do you have experience with Primates
? We’re seeking a full-time Mammal Care Specialist
, to join our dedicated animal care team in the Primate Forest area. This role is essential in supporting our strategic plan by exceeding modern animal care regulations and ensuring the highest standards of animal wellbeing in the assigned areas. In this role, you will gain hands‑on experience with rare and diverse species and have opportunities in specialized animal care. This is an opportunity to grow your expertise while supporting our high standards of animal wellbeing, working with primates that includes bonobos, gorillas, mandrills, colobus monkeys, and a variety of lemur species.

Join us in making a difference for these incredible animals, ensuring their health, happiness, and thriving futures.

• Animal Care:
  Monitor, inspect, feed, clean, and make minor repairs to animal enclosures. Observe/record. Maintain daily records.
• Guest Interactions:
  Enhance guest experience through engaging and educational interactions.
• Safety and Security:
  Comply with safety policies and protocols to prioritize human and animal safety.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to work (3) full days (7am‑5:30pm) and (2) half days (7am‑12:45pm) weekly, that may include a Saturday or Sunday.
• Willingness to work a schedule that may include weekends and holidays, with flexibility for occasional night shifts, events, or disaster recovery efforts.
• Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including working in Florida weather, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• 5 Panel drug screening
• Non‑DOT physical examination
• Criminal Background check
• Proof of a current negative tuberculosis (TB) test.
• Documentation of required vaccinations, including rabies vaccination or titer.

• Mammal Care Specialist I:
  Six (6) months of full‑time equivalent (960 hours) experience in relevant paid or unpaid internships, coursework, or volunteer experience involving the care, husbandry, or management of wildlife in a professionally managed setting (such as a zoo, aquarium, sanctuary, or wildlife rehabilitation facility).
• Mammal Care Specialist II:
  Two (2) years of full‑time equivalent experience in relevant paid experience involving the care, husbandry, or management of wildlife in a professional setting.
• Senior Mammal Care Specialist:
  Five (5) years of full‑time equivalent experience in relevant paid experience involving the care, husbandry, or management of wildlife in a professional setting.

• Associate degree or coursework in related fields (e.g., biology, animal science, zoology) is encouraged as a foundation for growth.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related life science and/or advanced degrees, certifications, or specialized training in mammal care or wildlife management.

• Ability to remain standing for extended periods.
• Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium.
• Hand‑eye coordination and fine motor skills for grasping, turning, and manipulating objects of varying size and weight.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move objects up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to walk, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, and reach.
• Visual acuity for reading, writing, and observing surroundings, and auditory acuity for communication.
• Ability to operate motorized carts, trucks, and power tools.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks and work in varying environmental conditions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Exposure to various weather conditions, including extreme heat, sunlight, cold, rain, snow, and wind.
• Regular work on weekends and holidays with irregular work hours sometimes required.
• Exposure to hazards such as wildlife, waste, equipment, loud noises, chemicals, and heights.
• Potential exposure to allergens (dust, animal dander, pollen, etc.), pathogens, and injuries from animals.
• Periodic work in small, enclosed areas.

We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
370 Zoo Parkway
Jacksonville, FL 32218
Phone: