Ambassador Animal - VHE

The Oregon Zoo is looking for two Ambassador Animal Staff VHE to be members of the ambassador animal care team. This position will include direct animal husbandry duties and presenting educational live‑animal programs including large stage shows, animal encounters, and other zoo programming.

Tentative VHE Schedule

• Position #1:
  Mid‑March – September 15, 2026
• Position #2:
  April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027

• Present engaging and inspirational conservation education programming to a variety of audiences, including zoo guests, school groups, and nonprofit and governmental agencies.
• May handle and train the ambassador animal species under care for programs using operant conditioning techniques. Follow appropriate presentation methods for animals used in educational settings.
• Perform day‑to‑day husbandry as required for species under care, including maintaining standards of care, creating and providing behavioral enrichment, and complying with record‑keeping protocols.
• Perform animal feeding duties such as preparing prescribed diets and making precise reports on food consumption; may administer prescribed medications and follow veterinarian orders for care.
• Perform daily care and maintenance of enclosures, food and water receptacles; check condition of animal environments to assess security and safety of animals; alert supervisor and initiate corrective actions as needed.
• Observe animals to identify normal and abnormal behavior, health problems, adjustments to diet, and changes or response to medication. Identify and report concerns to area supervisor.
• Maintain care standards and comply with all USDA and AZA rules, regulations, and guidelines; work in compliance with safety rules, OSHA standards, work rules, and zoo area policies and procedures.
• Document supply needs and work with supervisor to acquire items used for the area’s daily operations of animal care, training, and educational programming.
• Assist the public and other employees in a professional and courteous manner.
• Follow both written and verbal instructions.
• Effectively communicate to area supervisors, team members, and other zoo departments and guests.

• Ability to communicate ideas effectively before groups of all sizes and backgrounds.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry and presentation techniques for a wide variety of ambassador animal species.
• Knowledge and skill in operant conditioning techniques.
• Ability to maintain comprehensive and accurate records.
• Comfort and experience working around and with exotic and potentially dangerous animals.
• Ability to work well independently and function as a team member.
• Ability to learn prescribed routines quickly and work without close supervision.
• Ability to perform essential duties, which may include lifting up to 50 pounds and working outside in all weather conditions.

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

• Associate’s degree in a field related program area and 2 years experience working with animals in educational programming;
• High school diploma or GED and 4 years of experience working with animals in educational programming;
• Any combination of education and experience which would provide the candidate with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job.

Schedules vary based on operational need, weather and events at the zoo. Weekends, holidays, and some evenings may be required. These positions are considered to be variable hour, with no set schedule and are limited to a maximum of 1,040 hours per 12‑month period.

Duties may require prolonged strenuous efforts in hazardous locations, contaminated areas, enclosed spaces, at heights, under inclement weather, and in proximity to dangerous animals and other adverse conditions. Frequent reaching, walking, standing, lifting, stooping, or carrying of equipment and materials may be required. There may be…