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Animal Care Specialist (Promotional Opportunity Only)

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Animal Care Specialist (Promotional Opportunity Only)

Salary

$35.30 - $43.15 Hourly

Location

Palo Alto, CA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

202501133

Department

Community Services Department

Opening Date

12/19/2025

Closing Date

1/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

Description

The Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo is a children’s museum and zoo dedicated to engaging children’s curiosity in science and nature. It is a place where children and their caregivers come to explore, discover, create, play, and get curious about science and nature. Animals at the JMZ provide children with age-appropriate examples of interesting adaptations, habitats, or wildlife conservation programs. Special installations bring children nose-to-nose with some animals, while other elements encourage imaginative play, support whole body movement, and stimulate multiple senses.

The JMZ houses over 600 animals representing more than 60 species. Educational experiences at the JMZ include in-class and outdoor science programs for schools and families, and summer camps—many of which incorporate ambassador animals that Animal Care Specialists care for.

The Palo Alto Community Services Department is looking for a full-time Animal Care Specialist for the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo to help manage the care and husbandry of its live animal collection, which includes mammals, birds, arthropods, reptiles, amphibians, fresh-water fish, and arthropods.

About the position

This full-time position serves as a mentor on the Zoo team at the Junior Museum & Zoo and helps coordinate the Zoological Assistants in group-oriented tasks. An Animal Care Specialist is responsible for one section of the Zoo, though is expected to maintain experience in all areas. The primary assignment is based on demonstrated knowledge and experience with the respective species, individual animals, and the facility and volunteers.

This position is represented by the Service Employee International Union (SEIU). The position is budgeted to not exceed 2080 hours per fiscal year (July - June).

Essential Duties

+ Actively works to engage each child’s curiosity in science and nature by facilitating interactions between guests and animals using inquiry-based teaching methods.

+ Provides for the husbandry of animals, including but not limited to, preparing diets, feeding, cleaning; and maintaining habitats, related structures, and surrounding areas (including landscape).

+ Performs daily observations of animals to identify, record, and communicate husbandry or health issues to zoo leadership and veterinary staff.

+ Enhances the well-being of the animals by coordinating specific enrichment programs that encourage natural behaviors.

+ Manages and facilitates the training and enrichment of animals in their care.

+ Services and maintains tools and equipment, including aquatic and terrestrial life support systems, while following all safety rules, regulations and procedures.

+ Assists with the training of new Zoo staff, including Zoological Assistants, Technicians, Interns and Volunteers.

+ Assists with veterinary procedures, as needed and appropriate.

+ Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

+ A degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, OR a combination of applicable education and experience.

+ Applicable education and experience would consist of a certain number of years performing a similar job at a similar institution, and (potentially) educational pursuits that have supported that work.

Specialized Experience:

For this position, specialized experience is defined as applying biological facts, principles, methods, techniques and procedures necessary for the care, study and management of living, exotic animals in managed care. Specifically, specialized experience refers to knowledge and experience in animal training, maintenance of water quality and aquatic life support systems, and/or horticultural practices.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work completed through service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Credit will be received for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The incumbent must receive immunizations to guard against human and zoonotic diseases.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

Physical Demands: The work includes long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, crouching, reaching, and lifting items up to 35 pounds.

Working Conditions: Much of the work is outdoors or within support buildings, under a variety of weather conditions, and there may be exposure to temperature and humidity extremes, animal pathogens, and irritants.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.