On Call Zoologist
Company: Dallas Zoo Management
Location: Dallas
Posted on: April 2, 2026
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Job Description:
Description JOB SUMMARY This is an entry-level position, on-call
position in animal care, following established protocols to provide
outstanding animal care for species in the section: food
preparation, feeding, exhibit maintenance, pest control, and
reproductive management. This is a non-benefited position working
up to 29 hours per week for up to 6 months. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES Provide overall daily care of assigned animals and
exhibits to ensure animal health, safety, and welfare, staff and
public safety as set forth by AZA, USDA, and DZM to include:
Observe and monitor animals’ general health and behavior, reporting
any abnormal behavior to supervisor and/or veterinary staff;
Prepare and provide food for assigned animals, following written
instructions, provide water and administer medication as instructed
to ensure proper nutrition and health; Clean animal exhibits,
holding pens, food prep areas, and equipment, maintaining a high
level of sanitation, conducting pest control activities and
reporting any mechanical defects that would endanger the animal,
zoo staff, and/or guests; Achieve the highest standards of animal
welfare and wellness by providing environmental enrichment and
training sessions, using operant conditioning, as applicable;
Participate in or assist with the capture and restraint of a
variety of taxa including dangerous species Prepare and update
animal records, reports and surveys, assisting in research projects
as necessary to ensure thorough documentation and enhanced
knowledge of animal biology; Perform general maintenance and repair
of exhibits: painting, repairing fences and shelters, abating
erosion, planting ground cover and removing weeds; Provide
assistance with animal transfers and/or procedures as directed;
Interact positively and professionally with animal care and
veterinary staff and volunteers; Actively encourage interest in
wildlife through positive interaction with zoo guests via
educational presentations focused on animals, biology,
conservation, and environmental issues; Utilize the enrichment
item/device proposal form to create new enrichment ideas and items
to be added to taxa repertoires and properly record the results of
enrichment items after each use; Collaborate with other zoo
personnel as needed to meet the zoo’s mission. This can include,
but is not limited to, assisting and participating in media events,
special tours, and public relations projects; Participate in and
support zoo-wide initiatives, committees, and work groups;
Understand and support Dallas Zoo’s Strategic and Master Plans and
departmental collection plans; Study specific reference materials
pertinent to animal care, behavior and natural history as assigned;
Follow all safety protocols and understand the animal keeper's role
in emergency procedures, responding to emergencies as required; Be
able to supervise and train volunteers and interns within
department as needed; Assist with the beautification of our park by
removing trash and debris whenever you see Assist with and raise
awareness for AZA SAFE programs; Perform other duties as assigned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Associate’s degree in an animal science,
biology, or related science field plus up to one year of paid
animal care experience is required; Bachelor’s degree in an animal
science, biology, or related science field preferred ; Must have
knowledge of animal care and basic husbandry skills, and up to one
year preferred of exotic animal care experience at an
AZA-accredited facility Must be a flexible, efficient,
self-motivated team player, and solution-oriented: finding creative
solutions to complex challenges; Must have basic knowledge of
research techniques and practices, with solid observation skills;
Must be capable of practicing, or willing to learn, safe methods of
capture and restraint for a variety of taxa (which may include
potentially dangerous species); Must be able to establish and
maintain an effective rapport with all levels of management,
employees, interns, volunteers, and zoo guests; Must be able to
communicate effectively both orally and in writing, following
instructions and documenting animal care activities appropriately;
Ability to represent the Zoo in a professional manner at all times;
Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to
respond with appropriate action; Ability to establish and maintain
effective working relationship with management, other employees &
zoo guests; Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl,
twist, reach above head, pull bend, climb stairs and ladders and
carry up to 50 lbs; Must be able to work holidays and weekends,
both regular and irregular hours as required; Regular, reliable and
punctual attendance is an essential function of this position; Must
be able to actively work outdoors in hot or inclement weather;
Successful candidates must complete pre-employment drug screening,
background check and TB test; Must have a valid driver’s license to
operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation. The above
statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of
work performed by personnel assigned to this job and is not
necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties to be assigned.
Keywords: Dallas Zoo Management, Dallas , On Call Zoologist, Science, Research & Development , Dallas, Texas
