Lead Animal Keeper; Primates

Woodland Park Zoo

SALARY & FLSA: $35.38 - $40.41 per hour/year; FLSA non-exempt/exempt

$35.38 - $40.41 The starting rate for this role is $35.38. Every employee under the Joint Crafts Council wage scale, on first appointment, will receive the first step of the salary range for the position. Employees will advance to the second step at the start of the pay period after their one‑year anniversary in the job classification and each milestone thereafter (3 years, 6 years, 11 years, and 17 years of service) with Step 6 being the maximum pay rate.

OPENING DATE: 12/11/2025
CLOSING DATE: 12/29/2025
JOB TYPE: Regular, Full‑time
UNION: Represented
OPENINGS: 1
LOCATION: Onsite
DEPARTMENT: Animal Management

Primate experience preferred

This position is anticipated to work 5 days a week from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM with 2 consecutive days off.

HOW DO YOU ZOO? More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.”

Apply today and show us how you zoo.

WHO YOU ARE As our new Lead Animal Keeper, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:

• You’re a knowledgeable and dedicated animal care professional – With a strong background in life sciences and extensive hands‑on experience, you provide expert husbandry, support behavioral training and enrichment programs, and ensure the wellbeing of the animals entrusted to your care.
• You’re a supportive leader and effective communicator – You clearly communicate expectations, help guide staff, interns, and volunteers, contribute to performance evaluations, and foster a team culture grounded in growth, safety, and excellence.
• You’re adaptable, reliable, and committed to excellence – You can adjust to changing needs, work evenings, weekends, or holidays when required, and maintain dependable on‑call availability when needed, adapting to the needs of a dynamic, fast‑paced animal care environment.
• You’re mission‑driven and aligned with our values – Your enthusiasm for animal care and commitment to the zoo’s mission and Core Values guide your work, ensuring you lead by example and support a positive culture throughout the team.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff Support

• Clearly communicate work instructions, policies, and procedures, which includes facilitating daily team briefings and identifying and communicating safety concerns to management in a timely manner.
• Support staff training and professional development initiatives.
• Help set team goals and implement work plans and organizational policies.
• Ensure compliance with all organizational policies and standards.
• Provide input to Animal Care Managers with performance evaluations and reviews of staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Develop schedules and work assignments for keeper staff and volunteers.

Administrative

• Develop team schedules, inventory and supplies related to animal care, including ensuring medications and first‑aid kits are within the use date.
• Maintain accurate records of animal behavior, health, diets, and habitat maintenance, producing reports as needed.
• Conduct research and present findings as requested.
• Attending departmental meetings and contributing to planning and decision‑making.

Animal Care & Welfare

• Provide expert husbandry care for the animal population.
• Coordinate and support Animal Keepers, Attendants, and volunteers with animal care routines.
• Implement behavioral training and enrichment programs.
• Attend veterinary exams and assist staff with physical examinations and monitor animal behavior post exams.

Habitat & Facility Presentation

• Perform and oversee high standards of cleanliness and presentation in all animal habitats including the maintenance of exhibits and animal support areas, including, but not limited to, minor landscaping, perching, changing of lights and other daily habitat maintenance tasks.

Guest Engagement

• Engage visitors and donors through tours,…