Senior Animal Care Specialist

Senior Animal Care Specialist – Mammals East

Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio
Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it's equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.

The Impact You'll Make in this Role

As a Senior Animal Care Specialist with our Mammals East department, you will provide advanced husbandry and behavioral management for a diverse collection of mammals while mentoring and supporting Animal Care Specialists. This position is responsible for leading daily care, enrichment, training, and wellbeing initiatives, ensuring all work adheres to industry best practices and zoo standards. Senior ACS staff will act as role models within the team, assist with complex animal management procedures, contribute to program development, and provide leadership in the absence of the Manager.

As a Senior Animal Care Specialist, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:

 Daily Care & Husbandry

• Lead general husbandry and daily care of assigned animals, including advanced preparation and distribution of approved diets.
• Oversee cleaning and maintenance of exhibit and off-exhibit areas, ensuring high standards of animal care and guest presentation.
• Serve as a resource for team members on troubleshooting husbandry, behavior, or training challenges.
• Maintain and review daily records, ensuring accuracy and consistency across the team.

Animal Wellbeing & Training

• Conduct advanced behavioral observations and assessments, recommending adjustments to improve animal welfare.
• Lead operant conditioning and enrichment programs, supporting both the maintenance of existing behaviors and training of new ones.
• Coordinate enrichment planning and evaluation to ensure species-appropriate and goal-driven outcomes.
• Provide input into welfare assessments, behavior management strategies, and exhibit design considerations.

Safety & Procedures

• Serve as a primary responder in animal-related emergencies, exercising sound judgment in high-pressure situations.
• Train and mentor staff on safe animal handling, restraint, and capture procedures.
• Ensure strict adherence to safety protocols and regulatory standards.

Collaboration & Veterinary Support

• Assist veterinary staff in advanced medical procedures, treatments, and immobilizations.
• Take a lead role in coordinating animal moves, crating, and translocations.
• Document and communicate medical and behavioral concerns to management and veterinary staff.

Guest Engagement & Education

• Lead public demonstrations, training sessions, and VIP experiences to promote guest education and conservation messaging.
• Provide accurate, engaging information to guests, volunteers, and staff about the animals in your care.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor and train Animal Care Specialists, interns, and volunteers in husbandry, training, enrichment, and record-keeping.
• Provide feedback and guidance to help team members meet departmental goals.
• Support the Manager or Lead in scheduling, workload distribution, and coordination of daily operations.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform other work-related duties as required and assigned.

Your Skills and Expertise  
To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, zoology, biology, or related field preferred.
• Minimum three (3) years of progressive animal care experience required; prior leadership or mentorship experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of animal husbandry, operant conditioning, enrichment, and welfare assessment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills required.
• Must be 18 years of age or older with a clean driving record for vehicle operation.
• Valid Class "C" Texas Driver's License (or ability to obtain within 45 days of hire).
• Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment drug screening, background check, and TB test.
• Ability to work in varying climate and weather conditions (rain, snow, extreme heat or cold).
• Availability for days, nights, weekends, holidays, and after-hour assignments.

 The San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer.  San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.