Hoofstock Keeper (Seasonal)

Position Title: Hoofstock Keeper (Seasonal) 

Department: Mammal          

Supervisor: Hoofstock Area Supervisor

Nashville Zoo Mission:

Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.

Why Work with Us:

At Nashville Zoo, we believe in taking care of our team just as well as we care for our animals. Full-time employees enjoy a robust benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and future:

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage – including medical, dental, and vision plans to keep you and your family healthy.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential support services for mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching – helping you build a secure future while you make a meaningful impact today.
• Generous paid time off and sick leave – because rest and recovery are vital.
• Exclusive zoo perks – enjoy discounts on park experiences, retail, and food services, plus complimentary membership benefits.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture – be part of a diverse team where your voice matters, your growth is nurtured, and collaboration thrives across all departments.
• AZA-accredited facility – Nashville Zoo is committed to top-tier animal care, ethics and global conservation efforts.

Description: 

Under general supervision by Hoofstock Area Supervisor, keepers perform a wide range of functions in the Mammal Department at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. Their primary responsibilities include husbandry of assigned collection as well as maintaining and cleaning animal exhibits, yards, night enclosures, and contiguous areas, operant conditioning of collection for husbandry behaviors and providing enrichment. In Addition, the Hoofstock Keeper will also be responsible for educating the public through keeper talks and other impromptu educational sessions as well as providing a clean and safe atmosphere for families to enjoy the Nashville Zoo.

The Hoofstock Department collection currently includes Masai giraffe, white rhino, Bairds tapir, okapi, southern pudu, red river hog, yellow backed duiker, springbok, zebra, bontebok, ostrich, eland, and eastern bongo. We are currently designing a 40-acre Africa expansion that will include a multi-acre mixed species savannah exhibit that will more than triple our current collection.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides care (prepares diets for, feeds and cleans) for animals and maintains habitats, related structures, and surrounding non-public areas.
• Perform daily observation of animals to identify normal and abnormal behaviors related to husbandry/health issues; coordinate with senior staff on animal training programs to facilitate husbandry behaviors.

• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Maintain professional conduct at all times and consistently model the organization’s values in all interactions with colleagues, guests, and stakeholders.

• Communicate questions or concerns regarding medical/health issues of specimens in collection to supervisor. Assist with treatment as directed, including administering medication.
• Provides behavioral and psychological enrichment for animals.
• Communicate with visitors as needed for educational (delivers public talks/demos) and behavioral/safety purposes.
• Maintains landscaping and grounds for and around habitats.
• Services and maintains tools, equipment and facilities to ensure safe use (includes opening and closing of facilities).
• Follows all safety rules and regulations, policies and procedures. Attends regular safety meetings.
• Assists with training for new keepers or seasonal staff as assigned.
• Documents observations and information on animal health, behavior, diet, enrichment, and facilities for department records.
• Assists with veterinary procedures if needed. Performs basic health care procedures as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills:

• Knowledge of safety practices, animal care, and handling exotic & domestic animals.
• Knowledge of animal diet preparation, general biology, and behavior.
• Ability to self-direct work tasks while ensuring safety and productivity.
• Ability to receive, understand, and carry out verbal and written instruction, direction, and assignments.
• Ability to perform physical work activities in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to communicate and cooperate with employees and to deal with the public in an effective and positive manner.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and comfortable with public speaking.

Education/ Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Education, or related field desired.
• At least four years’ experience in animal husbandry, handling, and training with exotic animals in a professional setting is required.
• At least two years’ experience working with exotic hoofstock in a zoological setting is required.

Physical Responsibilities:

• The role requires frequently standing and walking for most of an 8–10‑hour shift and regularly bend, kneel, reach, and perform repetitive motions while cleaning habitats, preparing diets, and providing enrichment.
• The role requires frequently lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lbs and occasionally up to 75 lbs with assistance, as well as navigating ladders, stairs, uneven terrain, and wet or slippery surfaces.
• Strong hand dexterity, clear verbal communication, and adequate vision and hearing are essential to safely observe animals, operate tools and gates, and use radios.
• Work occurs indoors and outdoors year‑round in all weather, with routine exposure to animal dander, hay, dust, insects, loud noises, strong odors, and cleaning agents.
• Employees may encounter biological hazards, zoonotic diseases, and potentially dangerous animals and must follow established protocols for shifting, feeding, and emergency response.
• The role may require wearing PPE such as gloves, protective footwear, eye and hearing protection, and respirators as assigned.
• Schedules often include early mornings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime based on animal needs.
• Depending on assignments, a valid driver’s license and ability to operate facility vehicles may be required.
• Vaccinations, TB testing, or respirator fit testing may be necessary per policy.
• The role must learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete task independently, and make timely decisions in the context of a workflow.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time position, averaging 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility: Position may require flexibility in working hours to accommodate special events, emergencies, or animal care needs.
• Must have flexibility to be available to work weekends.

Pre-employment requirements:

Nashville Zoo is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and maintains a drug-free work environment. All employment is at-will.

• All candidates are required to successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening prior to hire.
• Pre-employment and annual tuberculosis (TB) screenings are a condition of continued employment.

Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience (specifically with ungulates) in the following areas:

• Operant conditioning
• Capture and hand restraint
• Mixed species management
• Herd/stud management and introductions
• Hand-rearing

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work outside year-round under typical Tennessee weather conditions and temperatures for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to work in uneven terrain with exposure to varying weather conditions, dust, and allergens.
• Must be able to move about on slippery surfaces, handle toxic and hazardous materials and work in cramped and confined spaces.
• Must be able to lift and carry materials up to 75 pounds.

Minimum Requirements:

• Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years of full-time, paid, exotic animal experience, with at least 1 year of hoofstock intensive experience. Experience in an AZA accredited zoo is preferred
• Applicants must have a college degree (Associates or Bachelors) in an applicable field: Animal Science, Biology, Zoology, etc. or a combination of education and experience
• Applicants must possess a valid drivers license

Background Check:

Applicants for this position are required to submit to a criminal background check and pass a drug test.

Special Note:

Applicant may be required to work any combination of five days in the seven day workweek including holidays.