Zoos offer a variety of career opportunities, including positions working with animals, people, facilities, food service, and business. Animal care positions, such as veterinarians and zookeepers, are the most well-known, but there are also opportunities for event coordinators, landscapers, security personnel, and business professionals.
Running a zoo requires the work of many different professionals. Zoo career opportunities include jobs working with animals such as veterinarians and zookeepers. Also included are positions that work with people, such as event and program coordinators and tour guides. Facility professionals, foodservice workers, and business professionals are also essential.
Obviously, the main attractions of a zoo are the animals. This means that when most people think of career opportunities in zoos, animal care positions are the first that come to mind. Veterinarians maintain the health of animals and may work directly in a zoo or in private practice under contract with the institution. Keepers and their assistants look after the animals on a daily basis and are responsible for feeding them and making sure they have everything they need.
Zoo career opportunities are also available for those who enjoy working with people. Gate attendants take payments and issue tickets and passes, tour guides show groups throughout the zoo, and presenters give demonstrations that may or may not involve zoo animals. Program and event coordinators specialize in managing the program schedule for presentations and organizing special events, either for the public or for specific groups.
Like any large facility, a zoo must be maintained. This means that career opportunities at the zoo extend to janitorial and maintenance personnel, as well as people who work in crafts such as plumbers and electricians. Many zoos also maintain natural habitats for the animals, so landscapers and arborists are often needed. Security personnel are also critical.
Food service and retail employees can also find career opportunities at the zoo. Many zoos offer restaurants and food stalls that require cooks, servers and cashiers. Gift shops require clerks, clerks and money handlers.
It is also important to remember that a zoo is a business, even if it is a non-profit. This means that some of the most plentiful zoo career opportunities are in the business office. Depending on the profit status, sellers or fundraising professionals, or a combination of the two, are responsible for securing an income for the zoo. Marketers advertise and promote the zoo and often work closely with the special events team.
As with any other business, administrative assistants, receptionists and management professionals are also needed to help run a zoo. Likewise, accountants and clerks must balance books, pay bills, and file tax forms. Additionally, human resource professionals are required to recruit and hire staff for the many career opportunities available at the zoo.
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