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Lead Zookeeper - Asia

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Lead Zookeeper - Asia

Salary

$41,774.67 - $69,795.03 Annually

Location

Norfolk, VA

Job Type

Permanent Full-time

Job Number

13539

Department

Zoo

Opening Date

10/06/2025

Closing Date

10/15/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk is seeking to hire an enthusiastic and experienced Lead Zookeeper of Asia. Zookeeper positions play an essential role in animal care, welfare and ensuring safe working environments at the zoo where we maintain many rare, endangered and potentially dangerous animals. This position is a field supervisory position that leads the Asia area team of zookeepers in the Animal Services department. The position carries out essential tasks directly, also serves to teach, mentor and ensure good performance of zookeepers doing the same. This position is essential for animal care, health, hygiene and welfare; as well as to ensure that a good standard of presentation is maintained for our nearly 500,000 visitors to the zoo each year.

For nearly 100 years The Virginia Zoological Park has been committed to saving and protecting the world's wildlife by inspiring a passion for nature and taking conservation action at home and around the world. Come live by the beautiful Chesapeake Bay; kayak launch sites are just outside our perimeter fence. We are situated 30 minutes from the ocean front and 3 hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Department Starting Salary Range: $41,775 - $48,041

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

+ Provides experienced husbandry care for the mammals and birds in the Asia collection at the Virginia Zoo directly and supervises other zookeepers, interns and volunteers in doing the same.

+ Coordinates behavioral training and enrichment programs for the mammals and birds in the Asia collection, implements breeding protocols, assists veterinarian with physical examinations, and observing behavior.

+ Ensures good facilities maintenance and display standards for the Asia exhibits and surrounding public spaces including area theming.

+ Undertakes daily cleaning and maintaining of exhibits and exhibit areas, service areas and animal holding units, utilizing various tools, instruments, disinfectants; with the ability to do so safely and supervise others to do the same.

+ Performs administrative duties by keeping records on animal behavior and exhibit repairs, maintaining inventory, filling out paperwork and surveys, serving as the Institutional Representative for various SSP’s, conducting research when requested, preparing reports and presenting findings, attending meetings, and training volunteers and personnel.

+ Assists Animal Services managers with staff evaluations and performance reviews of zookeepers, interns and volunteers in assigned area.

+ Educates the public by conducting tours, providing information, and giving presentations when required.

+ Assists in staff training and education for employee development, setting team goals and implementing policies and implementing work plans with Animal Services managers.

+ Responsible for upholding organizational policy.

+ Recognizes signs of pest infestation in animal areas and follows standard pest control protocols as directed.

+ Ability to communicate work instructions, directions and organizational policy clearly and effectively.

+ Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

Work requires broad knowledge in a general profession or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Five years of experience as a zookeeper or exotic animal care professional.

Preferred Education/Experience:

+ Completion of a 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or a 2-year associate degree from an accredited college with a dedicated zoo keeping or wildlife program.

+ Five years or more working as a full-time zookeeper in an AZA accredited institution.

Additional Information & Requirements

Work Location: Virginia Zoological Park, 3500 Granby St., Norfolk, VA 23504

Work Hours: 40 hours a week worked over a 5-workday schedule; schedule may vary. Working weekends and holidays may be required.

+ Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.

+ Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.

+ Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

+ Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

+ The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01

The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

+ I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

+ High School Diploma/GED

+ Some College (6 months or more)

+ Vocational/Technical Degree

+ Associate's Degree

+ Bachelor's Degree

+ Master's Degree or higher

03

Do you have a degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, or related area of study?

+ Yes

+ No

04

Do you have 5 years or more experience working in AZA accredited institutions?

+ Yes

+ No

05

Please detail your experience and employers working in AZA accredited institutions.

06

Do you have experience supervising and training others (staff, interns and/or volunteers) in a zoo working environment?

+ Yes

+ No

07

Do you have experience working with orangutans?

+ Yes

+ No

08

Do you have big cat experience?

+ Yes

+ No

09

If so, please describe your experience working with orangutans and/or big cats.

10

Do you have experience with behavioral husbandry for a variety of mammal and avian species?

+ Yes

+ No

11

Please describe your experience with behavioral husbandry for a variety of mammal and avian species.

12

Do you have any specialized training in mammal or bird husbandry (attending mammal and/or avian courses, workshops, conferences etc.)?

+ Yes

+ No

13

Do you have experience with AZA Animal programs—working with SSPs, TAGs, etc.?

+ Yes

+ No

14

Please describe your experience with AZA Animal programs.

15

Do you have experience with mammal or avian breeding and hand rearing procedures?

+ Yes

+ No

16

If so, please describe your experience.

17

Do you have any research experience or publications related to the management of mammals or birds in zoos?

+ Yes

+ No

18

Please describe your experience with AZA accreditation and USDA compliance.

19

Please describe your experience with safety drills in a zoological setting.

20

Do you have a valid driver's license?

+ Yes

+ No

21

Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

+ I am not a Veteran

+ I am a Veteran

+ I am a Disabled Veteran

22

Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

+ Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee

+ Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee

+ No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

23

If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title, and your relationship to the employee. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."

24

This is an Essential Employee position. The hired candidate is required to report to work during inclement weather, emergency situations, shift work, or as staffing and business needs dictate. Are you willing and able to meet this requirement?

+ Yes

+ No

25

The expected hiring salary range for this position is $$41,775 - $48,041. Are you willing to accept the position at this salary?

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

City of Norfolk

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