Primate Wildlife Care Specialist

Primate Wildlife Care Specialist - Full Time - San Diego Zoo Job Description

Posted Friday, January 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM | Expires Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 10:59 AM

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action.

The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION The Wildlife Care Specialist performs all job assignments with a positive attitude that supports San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's mission and vision of saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in wildlife care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature and leading the fight against extinction. The Wildlife care specialist, under general supervision, feeds and provides for the general care and welfare of assigned wildlife (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates or birds).

This position reports to a Lead or Supervisor. This class is distinguished from the Senior Wildlife care specialist class in that the Wildlife care specialist works under supervision. The Wildlife care specialist performs a wide range of semi-routine functions at either the Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This class also consistently demonstrates the desire and ability to engage in positive relationships with internal and external customers.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Decision‑making:
  Must have independent and critical thinking ability to respond appropriately to expected and unexpected animal care situations. Must be able to problem solve based on experience and observation and must be able to follow proper procedures.
• Prepares food and water for animals, loads and unloads food from trucks, feeds animals
• Observes assigned animals
• Safety:
  Must be able to safely manage the daily care of non‑domesticated wild animals representing multiple dangerous species. This requires the knowledge of and ability to follow SOPs in each animal area.
• Maintains appropriate health and behavior records on assigned animals. Provides species‑appropriate enrichment to assigned animals.
• Participates in assisting medical staff in treating wildlife and moving animals
• Performs minor or routine maintenance on habitat enclosures. Reports maintenance needs. Operates a variety of light and medium equipment.
• Professionalism:
  Employees are expected to abide by the SDZWA Rules of Engagement. Must foster a positive work environment that promotes trust and integrity. Must be able to accept responsibility and be accountable. Must make decisions that support the goals of the organization.
• Cleans habitat areas, pools, animal sleeping areas and service areas
• Reports abnormal conditions
• Cleans and disinfects utensils, work tools and containers
• Participates in and supports animal training programs
• Administers prescribed medication and keeps feeding records
• Flexibility/Adaptability:
  Must be able to quickly process and respond to novel situations with professionalism and clear judgment. Must be able to accept irregular shift times, last minute schedule changes, variance in workload, and changing of daily tasks. Must be able to respond appropriately to the animals’ dynamic social and physical states. Must be able to work at variable locations (Zoo, Safari Park, field, CS).

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