Reports to: Director of Institutional Advancement & Marketing

Department: Institutional Advancement & Marketing

Summary:  Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:  Implement integrated fundraising strategies to initiate, manage, maintain and expand the zoo’s corporate and business sponsorships. Manage solicitation strategy for all sponsorship deals and packages and maximize zoo sponsorship revenue. The Business Partnership Specialist will develop and submit sponsorship requests, establish and maintain personal contact and relationships with sponsors and potential sponsors and increase overall sponsorship revenue for the zoo. This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week, requiring some overtime and a flexible work schedule with the Sacramento Zoological Society.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Establish clear valuations for sponsorship opportunities in partnership with Director of Institutional Advancement & Marketing
• Responsible for a portfolio of corporations and foundations and manages the day-to-day aspects of corporate and institutional partnership development and stewardship
• Responsible for maximizing corporate giving and revenue potential with a primary focus on unrestricted funding and corporate sponsorships
• Must demonstrate initiative at all stages of the partnership cycle, from identifying prospects, managing cultivation, solicitation and submission, as well as stewardship and benefits fulfillment
• Responsible for helping to identify new strategies in collaboration with the IAM team and others around new sponsorship or event partnership opportunities to increase revenue and engagement
• Develop compelling proposal content and stay abreast of anticipated fundable projects
• Develop, market and sell sponsorship packages to corporate partners for the zoo’s events and other fundraising platforms
• Coordinate, prepare and/or approve written materials, presentations and reports for corporate partners
• Steward and grow current funding relationships and expand the portfolio for new corporate and institutional prospects, including plans to maximize their giving potential over time
• Meet annual revenue goals
• Maintain sponsor data in Altru
• May assist with grant research/outreach as needed
• All other responsibilities and tasks as assigned by the Director of Institutional Advancement & Marketing

Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

• Minimum three years’ experience in non-profits with development/sponsorship experience/sales
• A personal belief in the mission, goals, and objectives of the Sacramento Zoo
• Excellent writing, analytical and research skills
• Self-starter
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Exercise good judgment and professionalism
• Comfortable communicating and networking within framework of professional sponsors and associates
• Able to organize, focus and prioritize work with multiple distractions
• Capable of working independently as well as within a team environment
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Altru
• Flexible, friendly, reliable and detail oriented
• Sensitivity and reliability with confidential information

 Certificates and Licenses:

• Valid California Drivers’ License required

Work Environment:
Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand or walk for long periods of time without rest; ability to sit, stoop, kneel or bend.
• Ability to perform work involving lifting, carrying and/or pushing of items up to 50 lbs.

To apply, please send a current resume and salary requirements to ZooHR@saczoo.org.

The Sacramento Zoological Society, the 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that manages the Sacramento Zoo, is seeking an experienced “Full Time Animal Keeper”. The zoo exhibits approximately 500 specimens representing 150 species on 14 acres in a well-established city park. The zoo hosts over 500,000 visitors annually. The Sacramento Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1975.

To Apply:  Send cover letter and resume to saczooanimalcare@gmail.com. State “ANIMAL KEEPER” in the subject line.

Position reports to: Director of Animal Care. General supervision is provided by Animal Care Manager and Supervisors.

Position Summary: The Sacramento Zoo is looking to add a new member to our dynamic animal care team. We are hiring a Full Time “Animal Keeper” in the Animal Care Department.  This position will perform all duties entailed in the husbandry and care of an exotic animal collection at an AZA accredited facility.  Experience with large carnivores and/or great apes preferred. Position has potential to be trained and provide care for all taxa at the zoo.

A successful candidate for this position will have a positive attitude, be extremely team oriented, always be solution focused, be an excellent communicator, be well organized with a problem-solving focus, work independently at a fast pace and have a great understanding of, and passion for, exotic animal management in an AZA Zoological setting. This position offer may candidates the opportunity to train and develop in the care of the animal collection across all taxa within the zoo. True to our core values we “Hire those with passion and invest in the best.” If you are interested in joining a great zoo with a great team, we want to talk to you.

Position will participate and contribute to any duties and projects as needed to assist the Sacramento Zoo in achieving its overall mission, as well as maintain Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation.  Experience with, and willingness to be involved in AZA Species Survival Programs as well as other AZA programs is highly desired.

Experience: A minimum of three years previous paid experience as a Zoo Keeper in a Zoological setting required. A preferred minimum of one of those three years (or cumulative of one year within the three) would have been in direct care of large carnivores and/or great apes.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Biological Sciences (i.e. Biology, Zoology, and Ecology) or related discipline required.  Certain levels of experience may be accepted in lieu of education, pending approval of Zoo Management.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Along with the team, under direct supervision of Animal Care Supervisors, manage and participate in the planning, operation, decision making and day to day activities of assigned animal section.
• Work without close supervision. Exercise sound judgment in analyzing emergency situations. Follow all safety guidelines and policies during general duties as well as emergency situations.
• Preparation of animal diets; feeding and watering animals according to a predetermined schedule.
• Cleaning, disinfection and maintenance of animal exhibits, holding areas and Zoo grounds.
• Operating trucks, tractors and other machinery as necessary.
• Capture and restraint of animals when necessary for treatment, general husbandry or shipment.
• Treatment of sick or injured animals as directed by veterinary staff.
• Maintenance and repair of animal exhibits, cages, shelters and dens.
• Observation and monitoring of animal behavior and physiology.
• Submission of detailed written reports concerning animals and condition of assigned area.
• Provide recommendations concerning diet changes and exhibit modifications which would improve breeding potential, visitor experience and general well-being of the animals.
• Conduct tours, give animal care demonstrations and other oral presentations to zoo visitors, school groups, potential donors, etc.
• Supervision, guidance and mentorship of the activities of Keeper-aide volunteers in their tasks as assigned at the Zoo.
• Must respond per protocols and training to any various array of emergencies, including, but not limited to animal escapes.
• Perform extensive operant conditioning and training for husbandry and medical purposes.
• Oversee, create, organize and manage physical and behavioral enrichment activities for section per given day.
• Assist assigned section in general operation of section as needed:
  • Supply oversight, record keeping, data entry, project oversight, pest control, volunteer oversight, communication with other Zoo professionals, seasonal reproduction activities and other duties as dictated.

Qualifications (Knowledge Of):

• AZA programs, mission, conservation goals and overall operations.
• Animal biology, nutrition, natural history, behavior and medical health.
• General husbandry practices, animal restraint and capture techniques.
• Animal behavior, common environmental enrichment, and animal training practices.
• Basic animal first aid and emergency treatment.
• Safe work practices while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals.
• Exotic animal behavior, physiology and ecology.
• Various exotic animal rearing practices.
• Modern animal care techniques and practices in an AZA zoological setting.

Abilities:

• Make minor repairs and perform general maintenance and light construction utilizing various hand held power tools.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions and communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Be proficient in general computer use including common programs such as Word & Excel.
• Familiarity with animal record systems such as ZIMS, ARKS, TRACKS or others.
• Make oral presentations to groups.
• Perform general duty labor for extended periods and under adverse weather conditions.
• Lift, carry and push or pull objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Driver’s License at the time of appointment is required; loss of the License is cause for discipline.  Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Disclaimer:  This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of an employee assigned to this job.

Below is a brief sampling of possible jobs and career opportunities many zoos, biological parks and marine parks offer. Even if you’re not interested in a hands-on animal career, all wildlife facilities have a wide variety of other professions available. The bonus is that you will still be working close to animals.

Zookeeper
Daily animal care, including feeding, exhibit cleaning and behavioral observation

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Responsible for the medical diagnosis, care and treatment of the animals

Curator
Oversees the management of the facility, sets protocols and policies, and assists with animal acquisitions

Veterinary Technician
(Animal Health Technician)
Assists the veterinarian with general animal care

Membership Services
Provides customer service, data processing and information for members and visitors

Graphic Designer
Designs artwork for logos, newsletters, flyers, signs and advertising

Animal Trainer
Trains animals to demonstrate natural behaviors for public programs

Educator
Presents programs to visitors, both on and off zoo grounds

Development and Fundraising
Cultivates community and business contacts to support the zoo

Facility & Grounds
Repairs equipment and maintains the facilities throughout the park

Concessions & Retail
Customer service positions in food and retail departments

Business Manager
Accountant responsible for managing the zoo budget

Horticulturist
Works with plants and landscaping, both inside and outside of animal exhibits

Public Relations & Marketing
Promotes public awareness through advertising and coordinates special events

Do I need to have a college degree?
Although some zookeepers have a two-year degree, most jobs now require a four-year degree in biology, zoology or a related field. This is an extremely competitive field, and education is as important as experience.

Is working with the animals as fun as it looks?
Yes and no. Working with animals is not easy. It takes dedication and responsibility. Most zookeepers work weekends and holidays, as the animals still need care on those days, too. The work is outdoors, so weather can sometimes be an issue. But, the job is never boring, as each day brings new surprises and fulfillment.

What do you like most and least about your job?
Least – Working outside in hot/wet weather and dealing with sick or injured animals.
Most – Knowing the animals at the zoo are well cared for and that we help to educate the public.

What do you get paid per year?
Salaries differ in each region of the country depending upon the size of the institution and the cost of living in the surrounding area. The average yearly salary for entry level animal care staff ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 per year. More experienced staff and managers will have a higher salary. Benefits (medical, dental, sick leave and vacation) are included in most salaries.

What do you do every day?
Keepers spend most of their mornings preparing diets, feeding and cleaning the animals and exhibits assigned to them. The afternoons can be spent working on special projects, behavioral observation and afternoon feedings. Trainers and educators spend a large portion of the day preparing for shows and presenting programs.

Will I get to have direct contact with the animals?
Usually not. The animals on exhibit are not tame. However, for some animals, contact is necessary for maintenance purposes. Trainers and educators work with smaller animals that are often trained and handled for shows and performances. No matter if it is a hedgehog or a tiger, zoo animals are not pets and are not handled as such.

Where can I find job openings?
Most zoos have position posted on their website. The American Association of Zookeepers and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums each have monthly publications that list openings from around the country.

Many zoos and wildlife parks have information packets on job opportunities available at their facilities. There are also associations affiliated with these facilities that can give you information on careers and locations of parks local to your area or state. Below is a brief listing of associations and facilities to contact.

American Association of Zoo Keepers
3601 S.W. 29th Street, Suite 133
Topeka, KS 66614-2054

American Society of Zoologists
Box 2739, Lutheran College
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Association of Zoos and Aquariums
8403 Colesville Road Suite 710
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3314

Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S. Department of Labor
Washington, DC 20212

National Audubon Society
645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20003

National Wildlife Federation
1400 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036

National Marine Educators Association
Publication Committee
P.O. box 51215
Pacific Grove, CA 93950

North American Association for Environmental Education
P.O. Box 400
Troy, Ohio 45373

A strong background in zoology or related science background is necessary for most of the jobs that involve working closely with animals. Other jobs like marketing, education or exhibit design might require different backgrounds, so a diverse education is always important.

Contacting your local college or school counselor will help guide you toward an appropriate educational pathway for your desired job. Below is a brief listing of colleges in California that offer Biological/Science degrees and related course work.

California State University & University of CA
Most colleges offer a range of majors in the zoological or biological sciences.

Los Angeles Pierce College
Animal Health Technology Program
6201 Winnetka Ave
Woodland Hills, CA 91371

Moorpark College
Exotic Animal Training and Management
7075 Campus Road
Moorpark, CA 93021

San Diego Mesa College
Animal Health Technology Program
7250 Mesa College Drive
San Diego, CA 92111

Oregon Coast Community College
Associate of Applied Science degree
program in Aquarium Science
www.occc.cc.or.us/aquarium
(541) 574-7130

Jefferson Community College
Animal Management Program
1220 Coffeen Street
Watertown, NY 13601

University Of California, Davis
College of Veterinary Medicine
1 Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616

Santa Fe Teaching Zoo
3000 NW 83rd Street
Gainesville, FL 32606

University of West Florida
11000 University Parkway
Pensacola, FL 32514

There are many two-year colleges in California and other states that offer Associate of Arts degrees and certificates in zoological/veterinarian/biological sciences or related fields. The Regional Occupational Program, which works with many high schools and offers animal assistant classes, is another resource.

To begin a career working with or caring for animals you should start by volunteering. You can call your local zoo, humane society, veterinary clinic or wildlife center to find out what help they might need. The internet is a great resource for locating some private sanctuaries.

Volunteering establishes you as a dedicated worker and gives you important job experience for future positions. Many facilities hire from their ranks of volunteers due to their experience and familiarity with the job. This will give you an inside track in a competitive market.

As a volunteer you have the ability to experiment with the jobs you might want to choose as a career. You can determine what job or jobs best suit your interests before you make the long-term commitment of becoming an employee.

There are many opportunities for young adults, college students and anyone interested in animals to volunteer at the Sacramento Zoo. Visit the Volunteer page for details.