Temporary Africa Apprentice Keeper

Position: Temporary Africa Apprentice Keeper (August 24 - October 10 2026)
Status: Hourly Non-Exempt
Department: Animal
Reports to: Curator

POSITION OVERVIEW

Located along the Space Coast in Melbourne Florida the Brevard Zoo is an AZA-accredited facility with a diverse collection of over 900 animals representing nearly 200 species. It is also home to the Sea Turtle Healing Center for rehabilitation of wild marine turtles. Brevard Zoo is well-known for its strong conservation ethic and unique attractions such as kayaking through the Africa area giraffe feeding and rhinoceros encounters.
This position is a temporary position that will run from August 24 2026 until October 102026 and is responsible for the daily care of the animals in the Africa section of the Zoo including husbandry training enrichment and habitat maintenance. Animals in this area include giraffes zebras impala ostrich and other animals as assigned. Must be able to work as an integral part of the zoo team and communicate effectively with co-workers management and guests.

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED:
Valid State of Florida drivers license.
Must be flexible with schedule including holidays weekends evenings and during emergency situations.
Must be willing to work in inclement weather including temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and high humidity.

PREFERRED/DESIRED:
Zoo keeping internship or equivalent experience in an AZA accredited facility.
Associate degree or higher from a recognized college or university

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Provide general husbandry for all animals in the assigned section. This includes cleaning animal habitats preparing diets training enrichment and observing animal health and welfare daily.
Accurately maintain and complete daily records.
Willing to work with and under the guidance of Animal Management to ensure Brevard Zoos standards of animal wellbeing are always being maintained.
Willing to work with and under guidance of Animal Management to ensure Brevard Zoos standards of animal wellbeing are always being maintained.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Must have an understanding of animal behavior and operant conditioning.
Speaks intelligently and diplomatically with co-workers volunteers and guests.
Initiates and writes accurate reports and manages assigned projects.
Ability to follow all Zoo standard operation procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
(H) Heavy Work
Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS/HAZARDS:
Indoor office environment most often with frequent movement outdoors. Exposure to extreme heat and weather conditions. Requires Sitting Standing Walking Bending Stooping Kneeling Finger Dexterity Talking Hearing and Visual Acuity frequently.

WORK SCHEDULE:
May be required to work weekends and nights as necessary.

TRAVEL: May be asked to travel

The above information in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the Zoos policies on evaluation of personnel.

Brevard Zoo provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression national origin age disability genetic information marital status amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal state and local laws. Brevard Zoo complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including but not limited to hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Brevard Zoo expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression national origin age genetic information disability or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Brevard Zoos employees to perform their expected job duties is not tolerated.

Brevard Zoo will not tolerate retaliation against employees who raise concerns or who file a claim of discrimination whether through external agencies or through Brevard Zoos internal procedures.