Animal Keeper

Position Summary:
The Animal Keeper at NorCal Aquarium and Wildlife Adventures is responsible for the daily care and husbandry of both marine and terrestrial animal species, supporting Senior Keepers in ensuring the health, welfare, and enrichment of a diverse animal collection. This position plays a key role in maintaining a clean, safe, and stimulating environment while assisting with training, enrichment, and educational programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Animal Care and Husbandry:

• Provide daily feeding, cleaning, and enrichment for both marine and terrestrial animals as assigned.
• Monitor animal health, behavior, and environmental conditions, reporting any concerns promptly to senior keepers.
• Support senior keepers in carrying out specialized care routines (e.g., water quality checks, tank maintenance, terrestrial enclosure upkeep).
• Assist in safe and proper handling, restraint, and transport of animals as required.

Support Senior Keepers:

• Help implement enrichment plans, training sessions, and behavioral observations under the guidance of senior keepers.
• Participate in the execution of medical and preventative care procedures, ensuring adherence to veterinary protocols.
• Collect and maintain accurate records on feeding, behavior, health, and habitat conditions.
• Collaborate on projects such as exhibit improvements, species-specific research, and breeding programs.

Safety and Facility Maintenance:

• Maintain the cleanliness of all animal areas, including aquariums, tanks, and terrestrial habitats.
• Conduct routine inspections of habitats and life support systems, reporting issues to senior staff.
• Follow safety protocols for working in aquatic environments, including water quality monitoring and diving (if trained and certified).

Visitor Engagement and Education:

• Engage with visitors to answer questions and share information about marine and terrestrial species.
• Support public presentations, feeding demonstrations, or educational talks under senior keeper supervision.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, marine biology, or a related field required.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in animal care, including some experience with both marine (e.g., fish, invertebrates, small mammals) and terrestrial animals.
• Strong interest in supporting senior keepers in daily tasks, learning from their expertise, and developing skills in both marine and terrestrial husbandry.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Physically able to perform strenuous tasks in various weather and environmental conditions.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with water quality monitoring, life support systems, or diving certifications (e.g., SCUBA) is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of behavioral enrichment and training techniques.

Working Conditions:

• May involve working in and around water, climbing, lifting, and exposure to potentially dangerous animals.
• Required to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as scheduled.