African Keeper

Position Title: Africa Keeper

Department: Africa

Reports To: Andrew Haertzen

Location: Audubon Zoo

Position Type: Full-time

Who We Are 

Audubon Nature Institute comprises Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and Audubon Wilderness Park

At Audubon Nature Institute, we are more than a collection of parks, museums, and conservation centers—we are a dedicated team with a shared mission to celebrate, protect, and connect people to the wonders of nature. Our work is guided by our culture code, which is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in Activating Impact by integrating tangible, real-world outcomes into all our initiatives, fostering a culture where every action contributes to a positive environmental impact. We are committed to Empowering Optimism, using positivity to inspire others to act and believe in their capacity to create meaningful change. We strive to Create Connection by engaging with people from all walks of life, knowing that the collective strength of a diverse community can address the most pressing challenges facing our natural world. At Audubon, we embody the spirit of Le Bon Temps, infusing the joy and vibrant culture of Louisiana into our everyday work, celebrating our unique heritage while advancing our mission. As Leaders of the Pack, we constantly seek smarter, innovative solutions, challenging conventions to drive the change we want to see in the world.

What You’ll Do 

Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, LA is seeking a dynamic, outgoing, and dedicated keeper to join our Africa team. Africa keepers care for a diverse group of hoofstock and carnivore species and this position will float between the two areas.  Our growing collection includes species such as painted dog, lion, white rhino, giraffe, various hoofstock and the not from Africa maned wolf. With the variety of large mammal species cared for by this team, a proven safety record with dangerous animals is required. The ideal candidate will have a strong and diverse background with operant conditioning, behavioral enrichment, and husbandry methods. In addition to zoo experience, the candidate will bring a genuine and fun attitude, adaptability, excellent public speaking skills, critical thinking skills and a willingness to be collaborative with team members to achieve interdepartmental goals. Particularly important for this position is someone with good time management and effective communication skills to be able to balance the needs of multiple areas.

Day to Day Responsibilities 

•    Perform routine husbandry- feed prescribed diets, monitor and report diet consumption, observe and report any health or behavioral abnormalities of all assigned animal specimens to immediate supervisor daily.

•    Assist hospital staff with health monitoring and assessment.

•    Clean, sanitize, and prepare animal housing areas as directed.

•    Follow all Standard Operating Procedures for assigned areas.  

•    Continuous learning. Develop professional skills and knowledge in areas such as animal care, enrichment, conservation, genetics, safety, training, animal introduction and reproduction

•    Participate in welfare assessments. Work with Curators, Assistant Curators and other keepers to seek ways to improve the wellbeing of animals in your care. 

•    Develop basic knowledge and experience with modern husbandry techniques, professional best practices, and in accreditation standards set forth by AZA and USDA.

•    Develop strong communication skills, including active listening, giving and receiving feedback and thoughtful dialogue.  

•    Perform approved Behavioral Enrichment activities and create new enrichment based on the needs of the animal(s).

•    Develop and utilize operant conditioning techniques to increase the quality of life of the collection. 

•    Promote and nurture a positive work environment and team morale.

•    Identify and report minor or routine maintenance problems in a timely manner. 

•    Perform facility and exhibit maintenance, including but not limited to, trash and debris removal, mowing, weed eating, pressure washing, floor cleaning, painting, minor section repairs, etc. 

•    Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, including proper uniform standards.

•    Performs Keeper Chats, VIP/BTS Tours, and Wild Encounters as required. 

•    Perform all other duties as assigned by Curators, Assistant Curator, or designated section leadership.

Additional/Overall Skills:

•    Maintain a positive attitude and a strong sense of accountability, fostering a collaborative team environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute.

•    Thrive in a team environment, using your organizational and technical skills to ensure the smooth execution of creative projects that resonate with our audience.

•    Celebrate the successes of your team and bring enthusiasm to your work, reflecting the joyful culture that is at the heart of Audubon’s mission.

•    Stay adaptable and open to learning new skills, embracing change and innovation as opportunities to lead and grow.

•    The above listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

Must Haves: 

•    Minimum high school diploma 

•    Current driver’s license

•    Must be willing to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

•    Strong work ethic

Nice-to-Haves: 

•    Preferred college degree in biology or a related science or equivalent practical experience.  

•    Previous paid experience in the care of exotic wildlife

•    Knowledge of modern husbandry practices, animal welfare standards, behavioral enrichment, training, specific knowledge of relevant taxa

•    Knowledge of operant conditioning

•    Previous experience operating a skid steer, truck, forklift, backhoe, etc. 

•    Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

•    Fun attitude

•    Emotional intelligence

•    Experience with hand tools, power tools, lawn equipment, pressure washers, and chainsaws.

•    Experience with capture and restraint of exotic wildlife

•    Previous firearms experience

Physical Requirements: 

•    Continuous standing, walking, lifting, bending, and twisting. 

•    Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry objects weighing over 50 pounds, often repeatedly. 

•    Regularly climbing ladders and operating heavy machinery. 

•    Sustained manual dexterity and coordination. 

•    Physical stamina for long shifts involving repetitive or strenuous tasks. 

•    Primarily outdoor environments and all types of weather conditions. 

•    Frequent exposure to heat, cold, dust, fumes, or loud noises. 

•    Exposure to potential hazards such as heavy machinery, moving vehicles, or electrical equipment

•    Periodic exposure to zoonotic diseases

•    Working closely with dangerous and potentially dangerous animals

•    Must be able to see, hear, and speak