Zookeeper Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Zookeeper Resume examples

Ever watched a 450-pound lion respond to a keeper's voice, or seen the moment a baby giraffe takes its first wobbly steps with a zookeeper standing nearby? Behind every healthy, thriving animal in captivity is a dedicated zookeeper whose job goes far beyond feeding time and habitat cleaning. Zookeeping has evolved dramatically from its circus-adjacent roots into a science-based conservation profession that combines animal behavior expertise, public education, and hands-on care.

The field is becoming increasingly competitive, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting just 4% growth projected through 2029—slower than average, with only about 1,700 new positions expected nationwide. Modern zookeepers aren't just animal caretakers; they're conservation ambassadors who develop enrichment programs, participate in breeding initiatives, and often specialize in specific taxonomic groups (reptiles, primates, birds). Many successful keepers now come armed with biology or zoology degrees plus practical experience, though some still work their way up from volunteer positions. As zoos transition toward becoming conservation centers rather than just exhibition spaces, tomorrow's zookeepers will likely play an even bigger role in species preservation programs and public engagement about wildlife protection.

Junior Zookeeper Resume Example

Megan Townsend

Portland, OR | (503) 721-3482 | mtownsend.wildlife@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/megantownsend

Passionate Zookeeper with 2 years of hands-on experience in animal care, habitat maintenance, and visitor education. Dedicated to promoting wildlife conservation through public engagement and exemplary animal welfare practices. Quick learner with strong attention to detail and ability to follow complex feeding/enrichment protocols. Seeking to grow my career at a reputable zoological facility.

EXPERIENCE

Assistant Zookeeper – Oregon Wildlife Conservation Center, Portland, OR (June 2022 – Present)

  • Provide daily care for 12+ species in the North American mammals section, including 2 black bears, 3 mountain lions, and 4 gray wolves
  • Prepare and distribute specialized diets according to nutritional guidelines and individual animal needs
  • Clean enclosures, maintain habitats, and perform basic maintenance to ensure safety and comfort
  • Assist with behavioral training using positive reinforcement techniques to facilitate medical procedures
  • Document animal behaviors, eating patterns, and health concerns in daily reports
  • Conduct 3-4 public educational talks weekly, reaching approximately 275 visitors per week

Animal Care Intern – Cascade Zoo, Eugene, OR (January 2022 – May 2022)

  • Shadowed senior keepers across 4 different animal departments (primates, birds, reptiles, and hoofstock)
  • Assisted with food prep, enclosure cleaning, and enrichment activities for 30+ species
  • Helped develop and implement 6 new environmental enrichment items for the primate collection
  • Participated in weekly animal health checks and assisted veterinary staff during routine exams

Volunteer Animal Caretaker – Wild Hearts Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Salem, OR (May 2021 – December 2021)

  • Provided care for injured and orphaned native wildlife including raccoons, opossums, and various bird species
  • Prepared specialized diets and feeding formulas for different life stages
  • Assisted with habitat cleaning and maintenance for 20+ rehabilitation enclosures
  • Helped socialize young animals while minimizing human imprinting

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Zoology – Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (2018-2022)

  • Relevant Coursework: Animal Behavior, Wildlife Conservation, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Animal Nutrition, Zoo Biology
  • Senior Project: “Enrichment Effectiveness in Captive Felids” – Observed and documented behavioral responses to various enrichment techniques

CERTIFICATIONS

  • First Aid/CPR Certified (2023)
  • Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit – Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (2021)
  • Safe Capture & Chemical Immobilization – Basic Training (2022)

SKILLS

  • Animal Husbandry & Handling
  • Dietary Preparation
  • Behavioral Observation
  • Habitat Maintenance
  • Positive Reinforcement Training
  • Public Education & Presentation
  • Record Keeping & Documentation
  • Basic Veterinary Assistance
  • Environmental Enrichment
  • Team Collaboration

Mid-level Zookeeper Resume Example

Melissa J. Harrington

Denver, CO | (303) 555-8129 | mharrington@email.com | linkedin.com/in/melissajharrington

Dedicated zookeeper with 5+ years of experience in animal care, habitat maintenance and public education. Skilled in behavioral enrichment programs and specialized care for endangered species. Known for developing innovative feeding routines that improved animal health metrics while maintaining strict safety protocols. Passionate about wildlife conservation and creating memorable educational experiences for zoo visitors.

Experience

Senior Zookeeper – Large Mammals
Denver Zoological Gardens, Denver, CO
March 2021 – Present

  • Manage daily care for 8 African elephants and 5 white rhinos, including specialized feeding protocols and medical treatment assistance
  • Reduced stereotypic behavior in elephants by 47% through implementation of new enrichment program featuring problem-solving activities
  • Train and supervise 3 junior zookeepers, providing mentorship and conducting monthly performance evaluations
  • Collaborate with veterinary staff on preventative health plans, resulting in zero preventable illnesses for 2+ years
  • Lead 2 daily educational presentations for zoo visitors, averaging 93% positive feedback ratings

Zookeeper – Primate Division
Denver Zoological Gardens, Denver, CO
June 2019 – March 2021

  • Provided comprehensive care for 12 primates across 4 species, including western lowland gorillas and orangutans
  • Documented behavioral observations and maintained detailed feeding/medication records
  • Designed and constructed enrichment devices using repurposed materials, saving $3,400 annually
  • Participated in successful breeding program for endangered golden lion tamarins

Assistant Zookeeper
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, CO
August 2018 – May 2019

  • Assisted with daily care routines for animals in the African Rift Valley exhibit
  • Prepared diets according to nutritional guidelines and cleaned enclosures to maintain hygiene standards
  • Helped develop interactive visitor program that increased exhibit dwell time by 12 minutes on average

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science in Zoology
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Graduated: May 2018 – GPA: 3.7

Certifications:

  • Professional Animal Trainer Certification – Zoo Animal Training Institute (2022)
  • Wildlife Rehabilitation License – Colorado Parks & Wildlife (2020)
  • Advanced First Aid & CPR – American Red Cross (renewed annually)
  • Chemical Immobilization for Zoo Professionals – Safe Capture International (2019)

Skills

  • Animal Husbandry & Preventative Healthcare
  • Behavioral Enrichment Program Development
  • Operant Conditioning & Positive Reinforcement Training
  • Habitat Design & Maintenance
  • Record Keeping & Database Management (ZIMS)
  • Public Speaking & Educational Presentation
  • Crisis Management & Animal Escape Protocols
  • Inter-Species Social Integration
  • Nutritional Planning

Professional Affiliations

  • Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), Member since 2018
  • American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK), Member since 2018
  • Volunteer, Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation (weekend habitat construction, 2019-present)

Senior / Experienced Zookeeper Resume Example

Michael Thornton

Portland, OR • (503) 555-4128 • mthornton.zoo@email.com • linkedin.com/in/michaelthornton

Dedicated Senior Zookeeper with 9+ years of hands-on experience managing diverse animal collections including large mammals, primates, and reptiles. Specialized in behavioral enrichment and positive reinforcement training for great apes. Successfully implemented comprehensive animal welfare programs that reduced stereotypic behaviors by 27% and improved overall collection health metrics. Passionate mentor who has trained 14 junior keepers and seasonal staff members.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Zookeeper – Primate Specialist
Oregon Wildlife Conservation Center, Portland, OR
June 2019 – Present

  • Lead a team of 4 keepers responsible for the daily care and management of 23 primates including western lowland gorillas, orangutans, and various monkey species
  • Designed and implemented a gorilla training program focused on voluntary medical behaviors, reducing anesthetic procedures by 41% over 3 years
  • Collaborate with veterinary staff to develop specialized nutrition plans for geriatric animals, resulting in increased longevity and quality of life
  • Serve as institutional representative on the Great Ape Heart Project, contributing data that improved cardiac health monitoring protocols
  • Created and maintain detailed husbandry manuals and emergency response protocols for the primate department

Zookeeper II
San Diego Wildlife Park, San Diego, CA
March 2016 – May 2019

  • Managed daily care for a mixed-species African hoofstock habitat including giraffe, zebra, and various antelope species
  • Trained junior staff on safe handling techniques for potentially dangerous animals, maintaining a perfect safety record
  • Coordinated with research team to collect behavioral data on social dynamics in mixed-species exhibits
  • Developed 6 new environmental enrichment devices that were adopted by multiple AZA-accredited institutions
  • Participated in 2 emergency animal immobilizations and transports, earning recognition for calm crisis management

Animal Keeper I
Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA
August 2014 – February 2016

  • Provided daily care for reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals in the education collection
  • Conducted over 150 public presentations and animal encounters, developing strong interpretive skills
  • Assisted with record keeping and database management using ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System)
  • Participated in the captive breeding program for endangered western pond turtles, helping raise 37 hatchlings

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Science, Zoology – Washington State University, 2014
Minor: Conservation Biology

Certifications:

  • Professional Animal Trainer (PAT) – Certification, 2019
  • Chemical Immobilization for Wildlife Professionals, 2017
  • AZA Principles of Elephant Management, 2018
  • First Aid/CPR/AED Certified, current

SKILLS

  • Behavioral Husbandry & Enrichment
  • Operant Conditioning & Positive Reinforcement Training
  • Animal Nutrition & Diet Formulation
  • ZIMS & Animal Records Management
  • Exhibit Design & Maintenance
  • Animal Transport & Shipping Protocols
  • Wildlife Conservation Education
  • Crisis Management
  • Team Leadership & Mentoring
  • Public Speaking & Interpretation

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Member since 2014
  • Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA), Member since 2017
  • Great Ape Heart Project, Institutional Representative since 2020

How to Write a Zookeeper Resume

Introduction

Landing your dream job working with exotic animals requires more than just a passion for wildlife. Your zookeeper resume needs to showcase your animal care expertise, safety consciousness, and technical knowledge. I've helped hundreds of animal care professionals land interviews at top zoos and wildlife facilities, and I've noticed hiring managers spend about 7.4 seconds scanning each resume before deciding whether to read further. That's not much time to make an impression! This guide will walk you through creating a resume that grabs attention and highlights your unique qualifications.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and organized—just like you'd keep your animal enclosures! A messy resume sends the wrong message about your attention to detail.

  • Stick to 1-2 pages (1 page for under 5 years of experience, 2 pages max for veterans)
  • Use a clean, professional font like Calibri or Arial (10-12pt)
  • Include clear section headings to guide the reader's eye
  • Incorporate white space to prevent a cluttered appearance
  • Save your file as a PDF named "FirstName_LastName_Zookeeper.pdf"
Pro Tip: Many zoos now use digital record-keeping systems. If you include a small "Technical Skills" section that lists familiar animal management software (like ZIMS, TRACKS, or AZA-accredited databases), you'll stand out from less tech-savvy applicants.

Profile/Summary Section

Your summary should be 3-4 lines that highlight your most relevant experience, specializations, and career achievements. Think of it as your "elevator pitch" to the hiring manager.

For example: "Dedicated Zookeeper with 4+ years specializing in great ape care and behavioral enrichment. Experienced in positive reinforcement training techniques and public education demonstrations. Skilled in safe handling procedures for Category I mammals while maintaining AZA welfare standards."

Professional Experience

This is where you'll spend most of your resume real estate. For each position:

  • List employer name, your title, and dates (month/year format)
  • Focus on achievements rather than just duties (what did you accomplish?)
  • Quantify results whenever possible ("Implemented enrichment program resulting in 36% reduction in stereotypic behaviors")
  • Highlight species-specific experience ("Managed daily care for 4 Bengal tigers, including diet preparation, habitat maintenance, and medical treatments")
  • Include any participation in conservation projects, breeding programs, or research

Education and Certifications

Zookeeping has become increasingly competitive, with many positions requiring formal education. Include:

  • Degrees in zoology, biology, animal science, or related fields
  • Relevant certifications (Animal Training, Chemical Immobilization, First Aid)
  • Professional development courses (list only the most relevant/recent)
  • AZA courses or memberships

Keywords and ATS Tips

Large zoos often use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before human eyes see them. To make it past these digital gatekeepers:

  • Study the job posting and mirror key terms (if they say "animal husbandry," don't just say "animal care")
  • Include species names mentioned in the posting
  • Mention specific skills like "operant conditioning," "restraint techniques," or "behavioral observation"
  • If they mention specific equipment or protocols, include your experience with them

Industry-specific Terms

Demonstrate your knowledge by naturally incorporating terminology like:

  • Behavioral enrichment
  • Positive reinforcement training
  • Species-specific husbandry
  • Environmental enrichment
  • Protected contact
  • Operant conditioning
  • Preventative health protocols

Common Mistakes

Avoid these resume blunders that I see trip up even experienced zookeepers:

  • Using generic statements like "animal lover" instead of specific skills
  • Focusing too much on public interaction rather than animal care expertise
  • Failing to mention safety protocols and training
  • Overlooking relevant volunteer experience (counts as experience!)
  • Including inappropriate photos (your face with animals rather than professional headshot)

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for feeding animals and cleaning cages. Helped with zoo visitors."

After: "Maintained comprehensive care for 17 species in the African Savanna exhibit, including diet preparation according to nutritionist specifications, habitat maintenance, and implementation of species-appropriate enrichment. Conducted 3 daily educational presentations, engaging over 150 visitors in conservation messaging while safely handling ambassador animals."

Remember, your resume should paint a picture of a knowledgeable, safety-conscious animal professional who brings value to both the animal collection and the institution. Good luck with your zookeeper application!

Soft skills for your Zookeeper resume

  • Crisis management under pressure (handled animal escapes, medical emergencies, and visitor incidents with composure)
  • Cross-functional communication between veterinary staff, maintenance teams, and education departments
  • Relationship building with difficult personalities (both human and animal!)
  • Adaptability to changing weather conditions, staffing levels, and animal behaviors
  • Mentoring junior staff on handling techniques and safety protocols
  • Conflict resolution between competing priorities (visitor experience vs. animal welfare)

Hard skills for your Zookeeper resume

  • Animal Behavioral Assessment & Enrichment Planning
  • Operant Conditioning Training (protected contact)
  • Chemical Immobilization & Capture Techniques
  • ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) Software
  • Animal Diet Formulation & Nutritional Management
  • Exhibit Design & Environmental Modification
  • Biological Sample Collection & Basic Veterinary Support
  • HAZMAT & Chemical Safety in Animal Care Settings
  • AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP) Protocols