• Maintain the care, well-being, management, behavioral conditioning and enrichment of one or more of the following species: African Elephant (Elephant team), Black Rhino, Okapi, Nile Hippo, Bongo, Kudu, Nile Crocodile, Pink-backed Pelicans and Saddle-billed Storks (Ituri team), Giraffe, Eland, Springbok, Ankole cattle, Wildebeest, Sable Antelope, Painted Dog, Hyena, Flamingo (West savannah team). White Rhino, Lion, Cheetah, Warthog, antelope species and Ostrich (East Savannah team).
• Ensure the daily routines of cleaning, animal observation, diet preparation and reporting medical needs and abnormal conditions to Zoological Managers.
• Maintain daily records, collecting and logging information and ensuring this information is communicated to management and the central animal record keeping system.
• The work includes physical labor in ambient outdoor temperatures and weather conditions in Central Florida, which may include extreme heat and humidity. A demonstrated understanding of operant conditioning is desired. Candidates are part of the area animal team and must work in a team environment. Keepers also work with maintenance, operation managers, horticulture, veterinary staff, educators and scientists. Keepers also provide animal information and conservation messages through guest and cast interaction.
• Work a variety of shifts including regular early morning start times (4:45AM) or late evening ending times (12AM), and may be required to work weekends and holidays.
• Keepers are part of the greater animal team and must work in a team environment including collaboration with maintenance, horticulture, and veterinary staff; operations managers, educators and scientists.
• Provide animal information and conservation messages through guest and cast interaction.

• High school degree or equivalent plus a minimum of either:

– Three years paid experience as a keeper in a AZA accredited institution, or in an institution with equivalent standards, and at least two years of verifiable college course work (60 semester hours) OR

– Four years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA accredited institution, or in an institution with equivalent standards, and at least one year of verifiable college course work (30 semester hours) OR

– Five years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA accredited institution, or in an institution with equivalent standards.

• Experience working with different taxa with an emphasis on operant conditioning.
• Observation, evaluation and data collecting skills.
• Demonstrated leadership skills within a team environment
• Experience working in large teams
• Guest focus.
• Must meet all requirements to promote our premium guest experience.

• Bachelor's or Associate's Degree in Zoology or related field
• Experience working with African species listed in Job description

– Three years paid experience as a keeper in a AZA accredited institution, or in an institution with equivalent standards, and at least two years of verifiable college course work (60 semester hours) or

– Four years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA accredited institution, or in an institution with equivalent standards, and at least one year of verifiable college course work (30 semester hours) or

– Five years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA accredited institution, or in an institution with equivalent standards.

• Bachelors or higher degree