To help illustrate primatologist roles, here are several job descriptions that represent (real) entry level primatologist jobs. Pay particular attention to the selection criteria (specifications) to learn more about what conservation employers are looking for when they hire primatologists.
.

Primates Keeper – Full Time | Indianapolis Zoo | Indianapolis, USA (2024)

Field Assistant Orangutan Behaviour 2024 | Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour | Indonesia

Associate Veterinarian | Fresno Chaffee Zoo | Fresno, California, USA (2024)

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is seeking candidates for the position of Associate Veterinarian to join our collaborative animal care team. Under the direction of the Senior Director of Veterinary Services, the Associate Veterinarian provides excellent clinical care for over 250 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. The position provides guidance to zoo personnel in animal hygiene, nutrition, zoonosis, and animal management programs. Duties also include compiling and maintaining veterinary treatment and animal health records and coordinating animal research projects. The veterinary staff also works closely with veterinary and human medical specialists when advanced diagnostics or therapies are needed for animal patients. Competitive candidates will have strong leadership skills, substantial experience in the veterinary care of a broad taxonomic group of exotic animals, and excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.

Full-Time employees receive our comprehensive compensation package which includes 100% employer paid Medical/Dental/Vision, Employee Assistance Program, 401k, 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick and Paid Vacation time on an accrued basis. The pay range for this position is  $90,000 – $110,000 per year. Offers will be based on the successful candidate’s experience.

ESSENTIAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Daily Medical Care

• Provides medical and surgical treatment to the zoo animal collection to the highest industry standards as needed including but not limiting to procedures involving remote injections, immobilization/anesthesia, physical restraint, physical examination, surgery, radiology, ultrasonography, endoscopy, phlebotomy, cystocentesis, fluid administration, intubation, anesthetic monitoring, bandaging, wound care, dentistry, medication administration and treatment of the zoo’s animal collection.
• Ability to assume primary veterinarian role in immobilizing various species of animals including carnivores, primates, hoof stock, etc.
• Adhere to and participate in annual update of preventative health care program including routine examinations, quarantine, parasite control, vaccination programs, tuberculin testing, and infectious disease screening.
• Provides daily communication with Curators, Zoo Animal Managers and Zoological Care Specialists on active medical cases and visualizes patient progress routinely.
• Effectively prepares and maintains medical records including all animals treated or examined. Inputs medical records, testing results, and necropsy/histology reports into ZIMs record keeping program. Ensure that medical records are updated and maintained at a high level of accuracy and professionalism.
• Works with the Nutritionist and Zoological Care Specialists staff to assist in formulating diets that balance nutritional objectives, with husbandry and behavioral objectives.
• Adjusts prescribed diets as required to ensure that nutrition, health, and husbandry objectives are being met.
• Ability to develop, set up and carry out anesthesia and treatment plans.
• Approve enrichment requests for animal collection.

Excellent Animal Care

• Carries out all procedures required in the transfer of animals by providing necessary exams, diagnostics, health certificates, and any other regulatory requirements.
• Conducts or arranges necropsy examinations on all deceased collection animals and provides interpretation of findings to animal care staff.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to animal care and treatment.
• Research current literature on health concerns, anesthesia, and treatments identified in animal collections. Research the environmental and nutritional needs of the animal.
• Provides on-call coverage for animal care and ensures routine and emergency care is provided as needed.
• Provides expert guidance to Zoo personnel in animal hygiene, nutrition, zoonoses, and animal management. Monitors and analyzes current husbandry practices as they relate to disease prevention.
• Participates in reviewing research requests submitted to Fresno Chaffee Zoo and actively completes requests of approved research programs as indicated.
• Undertake or assist in the disposition of nuisance wildlife potentially injurious to the zoo collection, including euthanasia.

Planning and Personnel Management

• Assists in orientation and training of new Veterinary staff.
• Work with Hospital manager to supervise hospital team, students, and volunteers in the absence of Sr. Veterinarian/ Veterinarian II.
• Ensures efficient and effective workflow, making appropriate logistical decisions and planning for current and future workflow needs, including interdepartmental scheduling.
• Ensures animal, employee, and other issues in the hospital are brought to the prompt attention of the Sr. Veterinarian.
• Effectively communicates with area Curators, Zoo Animal Managers, and Zoological Care Specialists daily, ensuring communication flows effectively from the hospital to animal staff.
• Adheres to veterinary care budgets and protocols.
• Effectively interacts with zoo staff in a professional manner, maintaining appropriate workplace relationships. Actively assists other staff as needed.
• Interfaces with zoo guests in such a way that guests feel that zoo staff are approachable, knowledgeable, and eager to assist with questions or concerns.
• Oversees staff performance, providing general feedback and correction when appropriate, and communicates serious or ongoing issues to the Sr. Director of Veterinary Services.
• Actively participates in the zoo’s emergency response team.
• Assumes other responsibilities as necessary to assure achievement of established objectives.

Management Accountabilities and Expectations 

• Customarily and regularly exercises discretion and independent judgement during the workday. Actively demonstrates leadership through actions, reactions, decisions, and professional demeanor. Practices solution-based problem solving and learns from mistakes. Ability to carry forward learned information. Works with the team to find solutions and asks for help when needed.
• Reports on work and meetings/activities fully present, prepared, and punctual. Thoughtfully prioritizes needs to be respectful of each other’s time. Respond to emails and other communications in a timely manner. All written communication contains professional and proper language. Demonstrates follow through and are accountable for the management of the team.
• Willingly engages the team/ Zoo staff and proves to be an inspirational leader. Actively create connections that encourage open and honest communication with all.
• Remains accessible to the Zoo staff by cell phone. Uses professional courtesy and only call/texts on day off in an emergency.
• Ability to quickly make appropriate decisions and demonstrate leadership in emergency situations.
• Strong planning, analytical and decision-making skills are required, with the ability to work in a dynamic, evolving organization.
• Excellent written and verbal English communications skills required. Bilingual communication skills a plus.
• Ability to work evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Education and Qualifications 

• Veterinary Degree (DVM, VMD, or overseas equivalent) from an accredited School of Veterinary Medicine required.
• License to practice or obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in California.
• Completion of an internship or residency in zoo animal medicine or equivalent experience required. Applicable experience in an AZA facility preferred.
• USDA accreditation to certify health for interstate and international transport of animals.
• Must have or ability to obtain a valid California driver’s license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

These are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed.  Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position.  Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, the Zoo may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.  

• This position involves sitting, standing and walking. The employee may be required to bend, stoop, or kneel to examine and treat animals.
• The employee is regularly required to lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Hand/finger dexterity to properly handle medical tools and equipment.
• Close visual acuity for medical/surgical procedures and to view a computer monitor and read printed materials; distance vision sufficient to monitor animal activities and general surroundings.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken information to others in small and large group settings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The position functions primarily indoors with regular exposure to outdoor Zoo environments.
• The employee is regularly exposed to various animals with risk of animal bites (including venomous), zoonotic disease, and other animal-related injury.
• Occasional local travel including animal transport is required.

Zoologist | Palm Beach Zoo | Palm Beach, Florida, USA (2024)

Great Apes Wildlife Care Specialist | San Diego Zoo Safari Park | Escondido, California, USA (2024)