Animal Nutrition Technician (Food, Nutrition, Butcher)
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Job Location:
Jacksonville, FL - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
30+ days ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Application Deadline:31 October2025and/or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to closethe posting earlyif a well-qualified candidate pool has been established.Early submission is encouraged.
Please ensure that yourapplication highlights your experience and qualificationsas they relate to the responsibilities of this role.
Do you have a background in food handling and want to make an impact beyond the kitchen If you have a background in food handling this is a unique opportunity to apply your skills in an animal care environment. As an Animal Nutrition Technician I (Full-Time)at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens you are one of the first team members onsite. Youll begin your day in the Animal Nutrition Center ensuring each animal receives precise high-quality nutrition. This hands-on role combines food handling preparation and safety protocols to support the health of hundreds of species. Youll apply your knowledge of HACCP standards and food handling to create balanced species-specific meals that directly impact animal well-being and conservation success.
If you are detail-oriented passionate about animal care and ready to grow in the field of nutrition we encourage you to apply.
Help us meet our mission Connecting or community to wildlife and wild places.
What Youll Do:
- Receive inspect prepare portion and issue a variety of foods and dietary supplements according to veterinary-approved nutrition plans.
- Follow strict HACCP and food safety protocols to maintain compliance with AZA USDA and internal Zoo standards.
- Perform accurate calculations conversions and measurements to ensure dietary precision across species.
- Maintain the cleanliness organization and safety of food preparation and storage areas including coolers and freezers.
- Collaborate closely with the Nutrition/Hospital Manager veterinarians and animal care specialists to meet specialized feeding schedules.
- Operate kitchen equipment safely and efficiently while ensuring quality control in all food handling processes.
- Support recordkeeping and inventory tracking for daily feedings diet adjustments and supply levels.
- Participate in disaster response and emergency feed plan preparation as part of the Nutrition team.
What you bring:
- Currently hold or have you previously held a satisfactory status in an unpaid or paid position with Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
- Candidates must be willing to complete all required pre-employment screenings which include a background check drug screen physical examination and employment verification in accordance with the organization hiring standards.
- Working knowledge ofHACCP protocols and safe food handling.
- Strong math and measurement skills (fractions conversions portioning).
- Ability to work independently and make sound decisions.
- Strongcommunication and teamwork skillsto collaborate effectively across departments.
- Physical ability to perform active on-your-feet 68 hour shiftincludingexcessive heat and cold in association with the kitchen environment.
- Relevant coursework or internship in nutrition culinary arts or food science.
- A typical schedule consists of(5) fivedays (8 hours)including a weekend plus atwo (2) hour shifton holidays with flexibilityfor occasional night shifts events or disaster recovery efforts.
- Tuesday- Saturday or Sunday- Thursday
- 6:00 AM- 3:00 PM
- Availability to start no later than November 18 2025. Limited exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Availability for an onsite interview at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
A Plus
- Experience in a zoo aquarium or institutional food service environment.
- Food Handling/Sanitation certification.
- Successful completion of a degree in the field of dietetics food nutrition food service management institution management or related science.
- Working knowledge of regulatory compliances OSHA Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and USDA.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to consistently remain on your feet for 8-10 hours on shift.
- Ability to work outdoors and indoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
- Ability to work in excessive heat and cold in association with the kitchen environment.
- Ability to transport and move items frequently up to 50 pounds for short distances without difficulty.
- Ability to ascend/ descend ladders steps and uneven terrain while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs.
- Manual dexterity for standing reaching flexibility and body movement for bending crouching walking kneeling stoop bend lift kneel crawl climb jump dig and prolonged standing.
- Visual acuity for reading writing and observing surroundings and auditory acuity for communication.
- Ability to operate motorized carts trucks and power tools.
- Ability to safely operatespecialized food preparation equipment such as; ovens microwaves grinders blenders dishwashers sharpeners and mixers.
WORK CONDITIONS
- Exposure to various weather conditions including extreme heat sunlight cold rain snow and wind.
- Regular work on weekends and holidays with irregular work hours sometimes required.
- Exposure to hazards such as wildlife waste equipment loud noises chemicals and heights.
- Potential exposure to allergens (dust animal dander pollen etc.) pathogens and injuries from animals.
- Periodic work in small enclosed areas.
We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal state and local employment regulations
EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- Culinary Experience
- Food Preparation Experience
- Customer Service
- Hand Tools
- Food Industry
- Meat Cutting
- Packaging
- Cooking
- Apache Pig
- Food Processing
- Sanitation
- Knife Skills
About Company
Consider a career at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens where you can share your passion about the wonders of wildlife and plants with our community and guests. Join the innovative, award winning Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens family, ranked as a top twenty-five zoo in the USA by Trip Ad ... View more
