Zookeeper Jobs

Why do you want to work for Fragile Planet Wildlife Park?

• You get to work with a small collection with a variety of animals.
• Being a new and growing company there will be opportunities to grow and advance in your career.
• An option for paid temporary housing for up to 3 months.
• Paid sick leave that starts with 6 days per calendar year
• You can expect a supportive atmosphere where you are heard, listened to, and consulted with in regards to changes and advancement in the organization, development of programs and events, and opportunities for your growth.
• We offer an alternative medical assistance program.
• We close one day a week to give our staff the opportunity to catch up, take a breath, and focus on the animals without having to worry about guests.
• Our Competitive Performance - based raises are given in increments of $1 at a time unlike most that offer only cents.

Other perks include…

• Passionate, caring, and steady leadership
• Casual dress code
• Opportunity to learn new skills
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous vacation leave opportunities
• All-team meetings

Life in and around Los Fresnos, TX:

• This is the outdoor lovers paradise!
• There is a huge diversity of wildlife in general that makes for excellent bird watching and herping opportunities.
• Our location being just a short distance away from the beach offers the opportunity to bask in the sun, enjoy the ocean, play in the sand and admire sea life such as sea turtles, dolphins, sharks and sometimes even whale sharks and manatees.
• Access to low cost medical and dental care.
• Being located in the World Birding Center puts you in an area where the greatest diversity of avian life migrates through than anywhere else in the world!
• The “RGV” (Rio Grande Valley) sits on the border of Mexico giving us the opportunity to appreciate, engage in, and foster culture and diversity on top of low costs of living.
• With the Rio Grande Valley being home to numerous County, State, and National Parks, Zoos, Nature Centers, and other wildlife focused destinations there is no shortage of places and things to discover.

Here are some “tidbits” - About Us

• Fragile Planet Wildlife Park opened to the public in September of 2021 making us less than two-years old with a lot of growth potential.
• Some of our GOALS (understanding that goals take time) include ZAA Accreditation and Travel Abroad Programs in Costa Rica with Kids Saving The Rainforest.
• Some of our more immediate projects include the formation of a safari park, development of stronger animal care policies, and the introduction of a digital animal management software.
• We are the first place in the world to successfully propagate the Purple Harlequin Toad (Atelopus barbotini).
• We provided educational presentations in 5 states and 400 schools to over 120,000 students in the 22/23 school year alone.
• Since Fragile Planet began in Texas, prior to opening to the public, 4 years ago - we have maintained a flawless USDA inspection record and hope to continue to do so.

We are growing and seeking to hire a forward-thinking, energetic individual on our animal care team. We are seeking applicants with experience with primates, hoof stock, small mammals, reptiles and carnivores. We also prefer keepers with some animal ambassador programming, public speaking, training, animal rearing, and/or enrichment experience.

Keepers will work closely under the Lead Keeper to ensure high standards of animal care and welfare are met. Keepers are responsible for ensuring all daily animal care duties are performed.

• Develop a thorough knowledge of rearing animals and breeding procedures.
• Reports animal behavior and medical concerns to the Lead Keeper. Assists with medical procedures. Functions as a member of the animal escape and recapture team.
• Looks forward and completes preventative habitat maintenance. Maintains park and habitat cleanliness standards.
• Maintains animal care reports, medical records, and adherence to animal care protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Helps animal training, enrichment, and ambassador animal programs under direction of Lead Keeper.
• Operates as part of the Ride Out Team for major storms and natural disasters.
• Ensure animals are held to high animal welfare standards exceeding USDA and ZAA standards.
• Performs animal care operations with the team under supervision of the Lead Keeper.
• Ensures daily delivery of animal medications, diets, and enrichment.

Applicants will be considered upon demonstrated ability to meet the following education and experience requirements.

• 1-3 years of animal care experience in a zoological setting
• Experience assisting with volunteer, intern, enrichment, and training programs preferred
• Experience in developing SOPs
• Experience with large animal restraint, animal ambassador programs, hand-rearing, hoof care, forage programs, body conditions, gestation and or breeding periods are preferred
• Experience with yard maintenance machinery and power tools
• Must have the ability to work in all weather conditions, able to see color, be physically fit, able to stand/stoop/crawl, able to run, and lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Valid driver’s license and able to work weekends/holidays
• Experience speaking in public with a professional demeanor

Here are a few other notable mentions:

• Our collection is comprised of a variety of animals. Keepers will be working with all/most and not designated to a single type. This includes hoofstock, reptiles/amphibians, birds, primates, and other small mammals.
• Our team size is small. Our current team is comprised of 3 full-time zookeepers, 6 full-time educators, 1 office manager, and 3 additional management who partakes in all levels and aspects of the organization.

Pay starts at $15/hr, which is ABOVE the cost of living for our area.

To apply please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected]

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $15.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Paid sick time
• Relocation assistance

Schedule:

• Evenings as needed
• Day shift
• Holidays
• 8 hour shift

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Work Location: In person