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Temporary Rover Zookeeper - Part-time

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Temporary Rover Zookeeper - Part-time

Salary

$42,265.60 Annually

Location

Norfolk, VA

Job Type

Intermittent Temporary

Job Number

13724

Department

Zoo

Opening Date

12/19/2025

Closing Date

1/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk is seeking to hire an enthusiastic and experienced Temporary Rover Zookeeper. 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 works in a team environment that plays a critical part of maintaining good standards of animal care, presentation and customer service to nearly 500,000 visitors to the zoo each year. This position will be assigned to primarily work on the Americas/Zoo Farm team with the species housed within this area but may be required to work in any of the Animal Care areas as needed.

The Virginia Zoological Park is 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.

Departmental Hiring Hourly Rate: $20.32

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

+ Observes animals, checking for medical problems, changes in behavior, feeding habits, and overall well-being.

+ Feeds animals as specified by curatorial and veterinary staff in accordance with nutritional and behavioral requirements.

+ Cleans, disinfects and maintains animal exhibits, enclosures, food and water dishes, pools and other areas.

+ Keeps daily records on each animal (behavioral observations, and exhibit integrity and maintenance, etc.).

+ Supervises interns when required.

+ Conducts animal demonstrations for zoo visitors and writes educational presentations.

+ Must be able to handle and assist in the restraint and capture of animals.

+ Must be able to lift heavy feed and manure receptacles and walk long distances.

+ Must have knowledge of behavioral characteristics and handling procedures for assigned animals.

+ Must have knowledge of animal restraint apparatus such as ropes, squeeze cages, catch poles, shifts, nets etc.

+ Must be able to use tools and operate small equipment.

+ Requires normal hearing and seeing capabilities and the ability to stand, bend, lift, stoop, push and pull.

+ Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and work in a team environment.

+ Must work in a friendly and professional manner with staff, volunteers, colleagues and zoo visitors.

+ Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

Completion of a 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or an associate’s degree specifically in zoo keeping from a college program specializing in zookeeping and wildlife management.

A minimum of three months’ experience working in an AZA accredited institution as a zookeeper, paid zookeeper intern, or similar position.

Additional Information & Requirements

+ Valid Driver's License

Work hours: Working a flexible schedule, which can vary. Working weekends and holidays may be required. Maximum of 1040 hours for this position.

Work location : Virginia Zoological Park, 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk 23504

+ 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

Have you completed a bachelor’s or an associate degree from an accredited university?

+ Yes

+ No

03

In what field was your major?

04

How many years of full-time, paid experience do you have working as a zookeeper in AZA accredited zoos?

+ Less than 3 months

+ 3 months to 1 year

+ 1 year to 2 years

+ 2 years to 3 years

+ Over 3 years

05

Please describe your experience with behavioral management and training of zoo animals. Be sure to include examples of behaviors you have trained or helped train, along with the species involved. If you do not possess any relative experience in this area please enter N/A.

06

Please list any additional skills, training, memberships, and/or certifications, publications, conference presentations or any other experience that you feel makes you an ideal candidate for this position.

07

Do you possess the ability to lift heavy feed and manure receptacles and walk for long distances with or without accommodation?

+ Yes

+ No

08

Please describe specific experience with the husbandry care of the different families of zoo animals you have worked with. If you do not have any related experience, please enter N/A.

09

Do you possess any specialized training in zoo animal husbandry (attending courses, workshops, conferences, etc.)

+ Yes

+ No

10

Have you completed an internship at the Virginia Zoo?

+ Yes

+ No

11

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

12

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

Required Question

Employer

City of Norfolk

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