Job Description

The Oklahoma City Zoo is hiring four part-time Animal Care Support Technicians to help keep animal habitats safe, clean, and well maintained. This hands-on position supports our Animal Care teams through exhibit maintenance, area projects, and daily animal husbandry activities.

Most of each workday will be spent cleaning and maintaining animal exhibits, service areas, and equipment. This is physically demanding work performed indoors and outdoors throughout the year, including during extreme summer heat, cold temperatures, rain, snow, and ice. Applicants should carefully consider their ability and willingness to work outside in these conditions before applying.

Employment Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Rate: $14.00 per hour

Experience Required: At least three months of animal care experience preferred

Minimum Education Requirements: High school diploma or G.E.D.

Department: Animal Management.

Direct Supervisor: Area Curator and/or Area Assistant Curator.

Supervisory Responsibility: Direct (0); Indirect (0)

Primary Work Location: Zoo setting both indoors and outdoors.

Certification: Must obtain a valid Oklahoma driver’s license within thirty (30) days of hire and pass a driver’s history check to be eligible to operate Zoo vehicles. Completion of required OKC Zoo Learning Management System training is required within the first six (6) months of employment.

Other: This position is safety sensitive. It is subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks and drug testing. Must have the ability to pass annual TB tests. This position requires a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency situations. The position will remain open until filled, with first consideration given to applications received on or before September 17, 2026.

Job Summary: The Animal Care Support Technician supports the welfare of the assigned animal collection and their environments through habitat maintenance, area projects, and assistance with animal husbandry practices. This position interacts with the public, enhances visitor experiences, and performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled work.

Essential Job Functions

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:

• Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of animal exhibits, holding areas, service areas, and equipment throughout the majority of the workday.
• Complete physically demanding work outdoors in extreme weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, and ice.
• Support work projects and operational activities within assigned animal care areas.
• Assist Animal Care staff with daily animal husbandry and medical care activities for assigned animals.
• Observe animal behavior and health conditions and report concerns to appropriate staff.
• Maintain required digital and written records related to animal weight, health, enrichment, training, and behavior.
• Prepare and implement enrichment activities and complete associated documentation.
• Participate in basic operant conditioning and training activities for assigned animals.
• Develop and maintain familiarity with the natural behaviors and life histories of assigned animals.
• Follow established safety practices, use assigned personal protective equipment, and participate in safety-related activities and drills.
• Educate and interact with Zoo guests in formal and informal settings.
• Participate in conservation activities that support the Zoo’s mission.
• Operate Zoo vehicles in support of Zoo operations, including animal transports.
• Work safely around potentially dangerous animals, moving equipment, fumes, odors, and dust.
• Walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, climb ladders, and navigate uneven terrain throughout the workday.
• Independently push, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds and assist with lifting items weighing more than 50 pounds.
• Perform additional duties and support other work areas as operational needs change.

Knowledge:

• General construction, building, and grounds maintenance tasks and repair work.
• General computer operation.
• Basic business writing methods.
• Policies, practices, and procedures of the Oklahoma City Zoo and assigned department and area (to be acquired within 30 days of hire).

Skills:

• Public speaking.
• Recordkeeping and documentation.
• Technical correspondence preparation.
• Safe animal handling techniques.
• Interpersonal communication.
• Organization and time management.
• Sensory acuity, including eyesight, hearing, and hand dexterity.

Abilities:

• Work safely around potentially dangerous animals.
• Identify workplace hazards and use appropriate safety equipment.
• Maintain working relationships with staff, professional colleagues, and the public.
• Manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Work in environments with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
• Report to work and continue working during emergencies or operational disruptions

Physical Demands

• Walk, sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Independently push, lift, and carry up to 50 lbs and assisted lifting for weights over 50 lbs.
• Bend, stoop, kneel, and move intermittently throughout the day.
• Climb step and extension ladders to variable heights.
• Navigate uneven terrain.
• Work at varying heights, utilize fall protection equipment.
• Exposure to fumes, odors, dust, moving mechanical parts, and vehicles.
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions, such as heat, cold, rain, snow and ice.
• Exposure to potentially dangerous animals.

About Us

Oklahoma City is one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States and is the 20th largest city in the nation. For nearly two decades our residents have continually invested in our community to make it a place people can find belonging, visit and call home. Our employees are at the heart of those investments–delivering essential services our residents expect and creating a strong and thriving city for all people. Visit Oklahoma City--A Great Place to Live and Work! to learn more about our city.