Moving to a Zookeeper position internally

[Royale]

Hello! So I have a bit of a story. Bear with me.

I recently acquired a job at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as a Guest Services Associate, but I have much bigger aspirations. Ever since I was little, I've wanted to work with animals. I actually had a thing for photography as well, which I've been doing for the last 2-3 years.

But, with this new job I was wondering if it was possible to move up the chain into a Zookeeper position from another department (like guest services). I've done some research on the matter and it seems long and tedious (and rather reliant on luck) but possible. But I'm looking for some input.

So I was thinking of this. While spending a couple of years in guest services, I would volunteer at the zoo a couple of times a week. I want to do this anyway, which is good. Between my hard work and dedication in my guest services position (I never call in unless I'm practically dying, and I love talking to people) and my volunteer hours, it would open doors to move into an entry-level keeper position with duties such as cleaning cages and feeding. After that, I don't really know how many other positions there are between the two but I'm assuming an apprenticeship position would be the next step.

I know this would take many years, but I just wanted to know if it was possible or likely. I would go to school for Zoology, but that's pretty much out of the question at the moment for a number of reasons. I have the drive and determination to study these things on my own. I just don't know if they'd look at my application after a few years of volunteer work and laugh because I have no education in the field (although I have an AS in IT).

Thanks.

 

[jbnbsn99]

Hello! So I have a bit of a story. Bear with me.

I recently acquired a job at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as a Guest Services Associate, but I have much bigger aspirations. Ever since I was little, I've wanted to work with animals. I actually had a thing for photography as well, which I've been doing for the last 2-3 years.

But, with this new job I was wondering if it was possible to move up the chain into a Zookeeper position from another department (like guest services). I've done some research on the matter and it seems long and tedious (and rather reliant on luck) but possible. But I'm looking for some input.

So I was thinking of this. While spending a couple of years in guest services, I would volunteer at the zoo a couple of times a week. I want to do this anyway, which is good. Between my hard work and dedication in my guest services position (I never call in unless I'm practically dying, and I love talking to people) and my volunteer hours, it would open doors to move into an entry-level keeper position with duties such as cleaning cages and feeding. After that, I don't really know how many other positions there are between the two but I'm assuming an apprenticeship position would be the next step.

I know this would take many years, but I just wanted to know if it was possible or likely. I would go to school for Zoology, but that's pretty much out of the question at the moment for a number of reasons. I have the drive and determination to study these things on my own. I just don't know if they'd look at my application after a few years of volunteer work and laugh because I have no education in the field (although I have an AS in IT).

Thanks.

I'm uniquely qualified to answer this having been in your exact position. The blunt answer is you are pretty much going to be stuck where you are. Keeper positions are highly coveted and nearly always go to those who have a degree nowadays.

 

[Arizona Docent]

If you are in Florida, the way to fast track your career is to take the zookeeping program at Santa Fe Community College in (I think) Gainesville. One of only two community colleges with its own on site zoo and zoo program (the other being Moorpark College in California).

 

[Royale]

I'm uniquely qualified to answer this having been in your exact position. The blunt answer is you are pretty much going to be stuck where you are. Keeper positions are highly coveted and nearly always go to those who have a degree nowadays.

Thanks. It's tough finding a job even with a degree these days. I know because I've had one for 2 years in one of the most "flourishing" industries and still haven't landed an entry-level job despite. It's rough. :\ Which is what led me to the Zoo. If I'm going to be making minimum wage, I'd rather it be in the warm Florida sunshine in an environment I can enjoy. Rather than stuck behind a cash register in a movie theater, or in the mall.

If you are in Florida, the way to fast track your career is to take the zookeeping program at Santa Fe Community College in (I think) Gainesville. One of only two community colleges with its own on site zoo and zoo program (the other being Moorpark College in California).

Yeah, I've heard of that program. The problem is that I'm pretty much stuck in Jacksonville. I can't drive out 1 1/2 hours to go to school. That could change in the future, but I'm pretty limited right now. I wish UNF had a program but of course they don't. They're like 15 minutes from me.

I mean, even working at the Zoo and getting to see the animals every day is a plus for me. And it opens all sorts of doors for my photography. I may just end up moving into a supervisor or administrative position, but we'll see what happens. It's way too early to tell. I'll end up volunteering anyway, I enjoy helping any way that I can.

The only reason that I asked is because I have a buddy who basically did what I was asking at another zoo a couple of years ago. He worked in food service for 3 years (1 as a cashier and 2 as a supervisor) and volunteered weekly with the zoo. An entry-level keeper position opened up and he applied. Since he had so much volunteer work and showed passion for the zoo and had a good record they gave him the spot. Now he's an apprentice herp keeper. All he had was a high school diploma.

So I know it can be done, I just don't know this is the only case or if anyone else has heard of this being done.

 

[DavidBrown]

Getting to know the animal care staff at the zoo and having them get to know and trust you is an essential step in getting a keeper position from the "inside". Volunteering as a keeper aide is likely the best way to do this. Do you have a keeper friend or acquaintance who can help mentor you and give you advice on how to get the best possible experience for getting a keeper position? Depending on what kind of keeper that you want to be (birds, herps, hoofstock, etc.) there may be experiences or work that you could seek out in addition to volunteering that may help you like working at at wildlife rehab, etc.

 

[Royale]

Getting to know the animal care staff at the zoo and having them get to know and trust you is an essential step in getting a keeper position from the "inside". Volunteering as a keeper aide is likely the best way to do this. Do you have a keeper friend or acquaintance who can help mentor you and give you advice on how to get the best possible experience for getting a keeper position? Depending on what kind of keeper that you want to be (birds, herps, hoofstock, etc.) there may be experiences or work that you could seek out in addition to volunteering that may help you like working at at wildlife rehab, etc.

I do have a friend (mentioned in previous post) but he's out of state. I'm sure I'll make friends with the keepers the more I work and volunteer there. I've been told that on top of the volunteer program at the zoo I should volunteer at the local vet clinics and rehab centers, which I will be doing as well.

Thanks for the advice

 

[laduec]

Networking is definitely key in this situation, but beware of trying to volunteer as a keeper aide. I know that at a zoo at which I've volunteered, there is a policy against employees volunteering due to labor law restrictions, so just do your homework.

 

[Royale]

Networking is definitely key in this situation, but beware of trying to volunteer as a keeper aide. I know that at a zoo at which I've volunteered, there is a policy against employees volunteering due to labor law restrictions, so just do your homework.

Thanks, I'll ask tomorrow when I go in.

 

[Miguel]

It can be done...
I started working at a zoo as a ride operator for the summer, moved to sound tech, and finally got a job with birds as assistant trainer.
12 years have gone by and I'm deputy head of bird department...
The thing is that I'm in Portugal where there's a lot less competition and no formal training to work in the field so it made things a bit simpler, but still it has been a long road...

I'd say it would be a lot easier for you to study a related field, or the next best thing to volunteer at the zoo and prove your value and what an asset you can be to the zoo as a keeper.

Good luck, and just follow your dream!

 

[Royale]

It can be done...
I started working at a zoo as a ride operator for the summer, moved to sound tech, and finally got a job with birds as assistant trainer.
12 years have gone by and I'm deputy head of bird department...
The thing is that I'm in Portugal where there's a lot less competition and no formal training to work in the field so it made things a bit simpler, but still it has been a long road...

I'd say it would be a lot easier for you to study a related field, or the next best thing to volunteer at the zoo and prove your value and what an asset you can be to the zoo as a keeper.

Good luck, and just follow your dream!

Thanks I've been here for a couple of weeks now and have gotten to know a few people in other departments. None of the keepers yet though. We're starting our busy months coming up, so I'm going to hold off on asking to volunteer until things start to slow down again. I don't want to be the new guy asking for days off already.

But the few people that I've talked to have mentioned that several of the keepers at my zoo actually don't have a formal college education, let alone a degree in a related field. So I know there is a sliver of hope, lol.