Zookeeper job description.
A zookeeper cares for animals in a zoo or wildlife park, handling daily feeding, habitat maintenance, and health monitoring. They work closely with veterinary staff to support animal wellbeing and often interact with visitors, delivering educational talks and demonstrations that promote conservation awareness and public engagement with the facility's animal collection.
The Zookeeper job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Zookeeper Reports to: Zoo Curator or Animal Care Manager
A zookeeper cares for animals in a zoo or wildlife park, handling daily feeding, habitat maintenance, and health monitoring. They work closely with veterinary staff to support animal wellbeing and often interact with visitors, delivering educational talks and demonstrations that promote conservation awareness and public engagement with the facility's animal collection.
- Feed animals according to species-specific dietary plans and schedules
- Clean and maintain habitats, enclosures, and exhibit areas daily
- Observe animal behavior and health, reporting concerns to veterinary staff
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Zoo Curator or Animal Care Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Feed animals according to species-specific dietary plans and schedules
- Clean and maintain habitats, enclosures, and exhibit areas daily
- Observe animal behavior and health, reporting concerns to veterinary staff
- Assist with medical treatments, vaccinations, and enrichment activities
- Deliver educational talks and demonstrations to zoo visitors
- Maintain accurate records of feeding, behavior, and health observations
- Support breeding programs and habitat enrichment projects
- Follow safety protocols when working near animals and equipment
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- High school diploma or equivalent; associate/bachelor's degree in biology or zoology preferred
- Experience handling or caring for animals in a professional setting
- Physical ability to lift, bend, and work outdoors in varied weather
- Strong observational and record-keeping skills
- Degree in animal science, zoology, or wildlife biology
- Prior internship or volunteer experience at a zoo or sanctuary
- First aid or animal handling certification
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Zookeeper job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Zookeeper job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Zoo Curator or Animal Care Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Does a zookeeper need a college degree?
- Many zoos require at least an associate degree in a related field, though some entry-level roles accept relevant hands-on animal care experience in place of formal education.
- What's the difference between a zookeeper and a vet tech?
- Zookeepers handle daily animal care, feeding, and habitat upkeep, while vet techs focus on medical procedures and treatments under veterinarian supervision.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Wildlife Biologist
A Wildlife Biologist studies animal populations, behavior, and habitats to support conservation, land management, and research goals.
Wildlife Scientist
A wildlife scientist studies animal populations, habitats, and ecosystems to inform conservation, land management, and policy decisions.
Veterinary Technician
A veterinary technician provides clinical support to veterinarians, assisting with examinations, diagnostic testing, and animal care.
This Zookeeper job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.