Animal Keeper – Seasonal Enrichment, Training & Welfare Position – Bergen County Zoo, Department of Parks & Recreation

Organizational Overview:

The Bergen County Zoo is a small, approximately 15 acre, zoological park located in Paramus, New Jersey. Our educators strive to provide high-quality, relevant, scientifically accurate education programs using audience-appropriate techniques. Through these programs, we aim to increase our audience’s knowledge of and empathy towards animals and their habitats, and inspire our audience to make informed, deliberate choices in their lives to preserve the natural world.

​Job Description:           

This employment opportunity is to serve as a seasonal Animal Keeper at the Bergen County Zoo. Under the mentorship of the Curator of Research & Behavioral Husbandry, this opportunity offers an immersive experience focused on the fundamentals of enrichment, training, and animal welfare. Individuals may gain hands-on experience in conducting behavioral and observational studies within a zoo setting, participating in collaborative research, and supporting animal care practices. Through practical learning and exposure to welfare initiatives, individuals will develop a solid understanding of the approaches that support individual animal well-being and advance the mission of wildlife conservation in a zoological environment; does related work as required.

Job Responsibilities:              

  • Complete assigned readings, coursework, and participate in workshops to gain foundational knowledge in animal behavior, welfare, and enrichment practices in zoo settings.
  • Attend staff meetings to gain insights into the daily operations, challenges, and strategic planning involved in animal management.
  • Learn animal training techniques, terminology, and practices, with opportunities to observe and apply these skills in real-world settings.
  • Assist in the scheduling and administration of daily enrichment activities, gaining an understanding of the science and strategy behind enrichment planning.
  • Conduct structured observations of animal behavior and complete welfare assessments using established protocols to evaluate animal well-being.
  • Support data management efforts by logging welfare assessments, enrichment records, and helping maintain health records at the animal hospital.
  • May have the opportunity to work on a supervised, behavior-focused project, contributing original insights to enrichment or welfare practices.
  • Assist in research projects including background research, data collection, data analysis, and written reports and presentations
  • Employees will physically work throughout the zoo in a variety of ways such as administrative (data entry into Species360/ ZIMS) and physical (collecting, storing, cataloging, and freezing browse; cleaning and building enrichment) tasks.
  • Employees will assist in other enrichment, training, and welfare-related projects as needed

Schedule:   

  • 29 hours a week up to 6 months
  • 40 hours a week up to 4 months
  • Applicants must be able and willing to work evening, weekends, and holidays.

Education & Experience Requirements: 

  • College credits in animal behavior, psychology, biology, life sciences, or related fields
  • Relevant experience will be considered

Other Requirements:

  • Physical ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Must be eligible to work in the United States
  • Must be organized, detail-oriented, comfortable working independently, and handle sensitive data in a trustworthy manner
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data analysis software.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

What we offer:

  • Employee Assistance and Employee Wellness Programs

Salary: $15.92 / per hour

Please send resume and employment application to resume@bergencountynj.gov – put in subject line job applying for, thank you.

The County of Bergen is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of The County of Bergen not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.