There are many different kinds of jobs at zoos, from animal curators to development officers, to public affairs directors. Read about who does what below.
- Veterinarian
- Responsible for the healthcare program for the animal collection and the maintenance of health records.
- Veterinary Technician
- Assists the veterinarian and provides care to the animals under the supervision of the veterinarian.
- Animal Curator
- Manages some or all of an institution's animal collection. For instance, there may be a curator of mammals, or a curator of rainforest species.
- Conservation Biologist/Zoologist
- Provides scientific and technical assistance in the management of the animal collection and assists in conducting various research or field conservation projects.
- Keeper/Aquarist
- Provides daily care to the institution's animals, including diet preparation, cleaning, general exhibit maintenance, and recordkeeping.
- Registrar
- Maintains computer records on the animal collection and applies for permits and licenses to hold or transport animals.
- General Curator
- Oversees an institution's entire animal collection and animal management staff. Responsible for strategic collection planning.
- Zoo Director
- Executes policies as directed by the governing authority. Responsible for the institution's operation and plans for future development.
- Assistant Director
- Assists the director and assumes charge in the director's absence.
- Finance Manager/Director
- Manages the institution's finances, including payment of bills, purchasing, investments, and the preparation of financial statements.
- Curator of Exhibits
- Creates exhibits and assists in the design of graphics.
- Curator of Horticulture
- Responsible for the botanical collection and its application to the animal collection, as well as daily maintenance of the institution's grounds.
- Curator of Education
- Plans and implements the institution's education programs.
- Public Relations/Affairs Manager/Director
- Promotes the institution, its mission, and its programs to the public via the media.
- Development Director/Officer
- Develops and manages fund-raising activities which can include writing grant proposals and attracting corporate sponsors, as well as soliciting private donations.
- Marketing Director/Manager
- Creates advertising campaigns and other activities to increase public awareness of the institution.
- Special Events Manager/Coordinator
- Develops and implements events to attract visitors throughout the year.
- Membership Director/Manager
- Responsible for maintaining and increasing institution memberships for families and individuals and designing special events for members only. May also be in charge of "adopt-an-animal" programs to raise funds.
- Gift Shop Manager
- Manages staff and all aspects of gift shop operation from buying products to designing shops.
- Visitor Services Manager
- Supervises the staff and facilities that cater to the visiting public including concessions and restrooms.
- Personnel Manager/Director
- Responsible for all personnel matters including payroll, insurance, and tax matters.
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Responsible for recruiting and maintaining a staff of volunteers/docents. Duties include scheduling docents for on- and off-grounds activities and keeping docents abreast of new developments to relate to the public.
- Docent/Volunteer
- Duties may include diet preparation, small animal care, teaching educational programs, leading group tours, and staffing special events.
- Curator/Coordinator/Director of Research
- Supervises research projects, serves as liaison between the institution and the academic community, and publishes articles in scientific journals.
- Curator/Coordinator/Director of Conservation
- Oversees the institution's conservation activities, including field projects. Serves as liaison with government wildlife agencies and other conservation organizations.
- Head Keeper/Aquarist
- Supervises a section or department of the institution; provides training and scheduling for keepers.
- Senior Keeper/Aquarist
- Provides primary animal care for a department.
- Operations Director/Manager
- Responsible for the daily operation of the institution's physical plant and equipment.