What are the responsibilities and job description for the Night Zookeeper - 2nd & 3rd Shift position at Milwaukee County?
Night Zookeeper - 2nd & 3rd Shift Milwaukee County Zoo Hourly Pay Range: $21.29 - $23.81
Closing Date: 12/1/2025 or upon receipt of the first 50 applications
Job Summary: The Night Zookeeper role maintains and enhances the welfare of the zoo's animal population in accordance with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) advanced standards for professional animal care. The position is also responsible for the daily care of zoo animals, their enclosures, surroundings, and support facilities. Additional responsibilities include daily reporting of assigned areas and specimens, public engagement and education, and animal conservation and research. Zookeepers must have a strong foundation in husbandry and training, as well as a commitment to positive and collaborative team relationships. This is a 2nd and 3rd shift Zookeeper rotation, which includes weekends and holidays. The ability to work independently at night, monitor life support systems throughout the Zoo, take decisive action, and implement prescribed animal health care is essential to this role.
Essential Responsibilities
Provide the daily care to maintain and enhance the welfare of the zoo animal population. Order, prepare, and present approved diets. Observe, evaluate, record, and report animal activities, behavior, and physical condition with consideration of patterns and natural history. Ensure the tidiness, hygiene, and maintenance of animal enclosures. Collaborate with the veterinary team to promote animal health and nutrition. Train, manually restrain, capture, and/or transport animals to facilitate medical procedures. Administer approved medications and treatments as prescribed. Facilitate and participate in animal training and enrichment programs in alignment with established targets for species behavior and wellbeing. Perform welfare assessments for the animal population in accordance with established standards. Ensure the tidiness, hygiene, and maintenance of service areas and surroundings. Operate and maintain animal life-support systems and environmental controls. Identify and report maintenance and pest control needs. Report and maintain daily records (e.g. animal feeding habits, diets, breeding behavior, health status, physical conditions, enrichment, and training) for quality control and preservation in the Zoo Information Management System (ZIMS). Complete and maintain copies of work orders and other records regarding the operation and use of the animal area facilities. Establish positive rapport within mission-parallel professional organizations, participating in associated conferences and training opportunities. Collaborate with other zoos, researchers, and wildlife organizations to advance the zoo's mission and animal programs. Serve as the Zoo's Institutional Representative for AZA breeding programs and participate in program leadership as practicable. Proactively engage with volunteers and visitors to enhance their experience. Conduct formal and informal public presentations, including animal care, natural history, conservation, and research. Assist in the training of educators, tour guides, and volunteers. Maintain positive, collaborative relationships with maintenance, grounds, creative, and all other zoo departments. Perform all other duties as assigned. Examples include but are not limited to serving on animal emergency response team, providing backup coverage for animal commissary operations, supporting security and safety programs, or serving on committees and parallel teams.
Required Qualifications
Authorized to work in the United States. Possession of an active United States Driver's License, able to obtain a Wisconsin Driver's License within six (6) months of hire date. Bachelor's Degree or higher in Biology, Education, Veterinary Medicine, Psychology, Conversation, or a related field, OR equivalent experience in professional animal care. At least one (1) year of professional animal care experience at an accredited Zoo facility. Basic knowledge of all related computer and software applications, such as word processing and spreadsheets. Willing to obtain basic knowledge of Zoological Information Management Systems (ZIMS) within six (6) months. Able to lift/carry up to 75lbs and push/pull up to 25lbs.
NOTE: This Original application is open to qualified residents of the United States. Appointee must establish Wisconsin State residency within six (6) months of starting date. Candidates need to submit a full account of their training and experience (i.e., by submitting an up-to-date resume or by fully completing the application) during the application process and may also be asked to take additional written or performance tests as part of the selection process.
APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION
Closing Date: 12/1/2025 or upon receipt of the first 50 applications
Job Summary: The Night Zookeeper role maintains and enhances the welfare of the zoo's animal population in accordance with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) advanced standards for professional animal care. The position is also responsible for the daily care of zoo animals, their enclosures, surroundings, and support facilities. Additional responsibilities include daily reporting of assigned areas and specimens, public engagement and education, and animal conservation and research. Zookeepers must have a strong foundation in husbandry and training, as well as a commitment to positive and collaborative team relationships. This is a 2nd and 3rd shift Zookeeper rotation, which includes weekends and holidays. The ability to work independently at night, monitor life support systems throughout the Zoo, take decisive action, and implement prescribed animal health care is essential to this role.
Essential Responsibilities
Provide the daily care to maintain and enhance the welfare of the zoo animal population. Order, prepare, and present approved diets. Observe, evaluate, record, and report animal activities, behavior, and physical condition with consideration of patterns and natural history. Ensure the tidiness, hygiene, and maintenance of animal enclosures. Collaborate with the veterinary team to promote animal health and nutrition. Train, manually restrain, capture, and/or transport animals to facilitate medical procedures. Administer approved medications and treatments as prescribed. Facilitate and participate in animal training and enrichment programs in alignment with established targets for species behavior and wellbeing. Perform welfare assessments for the animal population in accordance with established standards. Ensure the tidiness, hygiene, and maintenance of service areas and surroundings. Operate and maintain animal life-support systems and environmental controls. Identify and report maintenance and pest control needs. Report and maintain daily records (e.g. animal feeding habits, diets, breeding behavior, health status, physical conditions, enrichment, and training) for quality control and preservation in the Zoo Information Management System (ZIMS). Complete and maintain copies of work orders and other records regarding the operation and use of the animal area facilities. Establish positive rapport within mission-parallel professional organizations, participating in associated conferences and training opportunities. Collaborate with other zoos, researchers, and wildlife organizations to advance the zoo's mission and animal programs. Serve as the Zoo's Institutional Representative for AZA breeding programs and participate in program leadership as practicable. Proactively engage with volunteers and visitors to enhance their experience. Conduct formal and informal public presentations, including animal care, natural history, conservation, and research. Assist in the training of educators, tour guides, and volunteers. Maintain positive, collaborative relationships with maintenance, grounds, creative, and all other zoo departments. Perform all other duties as assigned. Examples include but are not limited to serving on animal emergency response team, providing backup coverage for animal commissary operations, supporting security and safety programs, or serving on committees and parallel teams.
Required Qualifications
Authorized to work in the United States. Possession of an active United States Driver's License, able to obtain a Wisconsin Driver's License within six (6) months of hire date. Bachelor's Degree or higher in Biology, Education, Veterinary Medicine, Psychology, Conversation, or a related field, OR equivalent experience in professional animal care. At least one (1) year of professional animal care experience at an accredited Zoo facility. Basic knowledge of all related computer and software applications, such as word processing and spreadsheets. Willing to obtain basic knowledge of Zoological Information Management Systems (ZIMS) within six (6) months. Able to lift/carry up to 75lbs and push/pull up to 25lbs.
NOTE: This Original application is open to qualified residents of the United States. Appointee must establish Wisconsin State residency within six (6) months of starting date. Candidates need to submit a full account of their training and experience (i.e., by submitting an up-to-date resume or by fully completing the application) during the application process and may also be asked to take additional written or performance tests as part of the selection process.
APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION
Salary : $21 - $24