Prospect Park Zoo Animal Associate

Prospect Park Zoo Until 10/4/2026 First posted August 5, 2026 Last posted August 5, 2026
Job description
Department: Animal Programs
Title: Animal Associate
Employment Type: Part-Time
Status: Non-Exempt
Grade Level: Hourly
Pay Range: $17 per hour
Reports To: Keepers/Sr. Keepers/Supervisors/Curator
Schedule: 3 – 4 days per week; set schedule
Hours: 10:00 – 4:00 (one hour unpaid lunch) (May differ seasonally)

 
About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS):
WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean.  We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence.  Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.


Position Summary:
To assist in minimizing possible harmful risks to animals and the public during public exhibition by providing sufficient distance or barriers between the animals and the public and observing public interactions. Provide public interpretation of the barn area collection. Perform any authorized activity necessary for the safe, proper and humane management and maintenance of the Barn area animal collection, exhibits and associated service as directed.

Principal Responsibilities (may include but are not limited to):
  • Provide supervision of animal contact areas, specifically Barn, during public hours to ensure safety of both collection animals and the public.
  •  Aid the general public and provide information concerning the Prospect Park Zoo, visitor services, exhibits and the animal collection.
  •  Prepare animal diets according to established protocols under the direction of the appropriate senior wild animal keeper and/or the supervisory/curatorial staff;
  •  Perform safe, proper and humane care of assigned animals according to established protocols under the direction of the appropriate senior wild animal keeper and /or the supervisory/curatorial staff.
  •  Perform safe and proper maintenance of assigned animal exhibits, holding facilities and associated service areas according to established protocols under the direction of the appropriate senior wild animal keeper and/or the supervisory/curatorial staff.
  •  Enforce the Prospect Park Zoo’s visitor rules and regulations;
  •  Perform other related tasks and duties at the instruction of senior animal keepers and/or the supervisory/curatorial staff.



 
About this role

Summary

Assist in animal care, public safety, and exhibit maintenance at Prospect Park Zoo.

Job title

Prospect Park Zoo Animal Associate

Experience level

none

Industry

conservation

Location requirements

On-site at Prospect Park Zoo, no remote work allowed

Salary

$17 per hour

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

animal carepublic safetyexhibit maintenancediet preparation

Preferred skills

None specified

Specializations

wildlifeanimal carepublic interactionzoo exhibit
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Unknown location

On-site