Be a part of something wild.
Join the dedicated team in the Congo Expedition region at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where your passion for animal care supports some of the world’s most extraordinary species—including gorillas, leopards, okapi, and more. In this role, you’ll focus on daily husbandry, behavioral enrichment, and habitat maintenance, all while helping to inspire guests through occasional educational interactions. Your work will directly support our mission: empowering people and saving wildlife.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with chimpanzees and/or bonobos and possess a strong understanding of keeper and animal safety, behavior-based enrichment strategies, animal training techniques, and the ability to read and interpret animal behaviors.

Responsible for the daily care of primarily animals within assigned team as well as all other animals within the region; tests water quality and monitors life support systems and all region exhibit and grounds maintenance.

Animal Care & Husbandry

• Performs care of the region’s animals, including food preparation, feeding, monitoring diets, watering, bathing, enrichment, water changes, observing medical and behavioral changes, and behavioral stimulation and may assist with medical treatment as prescribed by Zoo Veterinarians.
• Participates in training and operant conditioning programs and follow standardized reporting mechanisms.
• Maintains daily and monthly records on animals.
• Provides input to the Assistant Curator on all aspects (e.g. safety, animal husbandry) of assigned areas.

 Exhibit & Facility Maintenance

• Cleans and maintains animal exhibit areas, performs basic horticulture work (e.g. caring for region’s egress/ingress, general grounds beautification) and disinfects animal enclosures.
• Performs minor maintenance, water quality testing, water changes, filter maintenance and other work related to aquatic systems.
• Utilizes chemical supply products and follows standardized usage guidelines and safety information as set by the Material Data Sheets.

 Training, Education & Public Engagement

• Provides educational information about the region’s animal population through such activities as interacting with the public, conducting keeper talks, staffing interpreter stations, conducting tours and workshops, attending docent meetings, composing articles for zoo publications, and conducting volunteer trainings.
• Participates in cross-training activities as directed.

Safety & Support

• Assures the safety of self, animals, co-workers, and visitors by observing safety guidelines when working with animals, equipment and vehicles.
• May provide leadership to seasonal employees, interns, volunteers and zooschool students (e.g. provide daily work direction, inform management of problems).

Professional Development & Collaboration

• Attends departmental meetings and participates in developmental seminars and workshops as required.
• May establish and maintain contacts with other zookeepers outside of the Columbus Zoo, field researchers and other specialists.
• Constantly strives to further the mission of the organization and avidly supports the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club and The Wilds.
• Implements sustainable practices in daily tasks whenever possible.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, animal science, biology or relevant field required. Four years of relevant zookeeping experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Experience in zookeeping (6 months to one year), or approved equivalent required.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing is required.
• Ability to develop and deliver informational presentations to small, medium, or large groups required.
• S.C.U.B.A. certification required (if assigned duties include diving).
• C.P.R./First Aid certification required.
• Remain current and follow all diving related institutional safety protocols as assigned.
• Ability to pass the Dive Program's annual swim test and physical exam is required if assigned diving duties.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical work required.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum six months’ animal husbandry experience working with primates, reptiles, carnivores, herbivores, and birds preferred.
• Ability to successfully perform zookeeper duties within a diverse animal collection preferred.
• Experience in the maintenance of aquariums, aquatic life support systems, and use of water quality testing equipment preferred.

Other essential aspects of the role:

• Proof of negative TB screening prior to placement and annually thereafter required.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with all Zoo team members and contacts regarding company business required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays required.
• The ability to plan and organize work in an efficient and cost-effective manner without direct supervision is required.
• An ability to provide excellent guest service by interacting with guests positively and upholding the guest service standards required.
• Ability to successfully complete a criminal history background check annually required.
• Ability to adhere to standard operating procedures including but not limited to safety protocols required.
• Possession of a valid state issued motor vehicle operator’s license, and a good driving record required, as well as ability to operate standard shift vehicles required.
• Ability to adhere to the Columbus Zoo Family of Park’s drug-free workplace policy including but not limited to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion and follow-up treatment required.