Program Code: 3106
Are you passionate about animals? Do you want to save the world and make a difference for wild animals and wild places? The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is located on Santa Fe College’s Northwest Campus, and accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).
Supervised by the professional staff of the SF Teaching Zoo, you gain hands-on experience in every aspect of zoo animal management, from daily care, to habitat construction and maintenance, to educating the public on our diverse collection of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Our students are not assistants to anyone; they are our zookeepers. Find your niche, learn to go above and beyond the day-to-day operations of zoos and become a conservation champion!
Our graduates occupy positions in zoos, aquariums, aviaries, wildlife parks, conservation organizations, veterinary clinics, science museums and animal care facilities around the United States and the world. Program graduates are contributing to the field through their leadership, dedication and professional training.
Requirements for Admission
All interested students should read through the program’s Before You Apply (https://www.sfcollege.edu/zoo/become-a-zookeeper/before-ou-apply.html) and How to Apply (https://www.sfcollege.edu/zoo/become-a-zookeeper/how-to-apply.html) websites and follow the instructions provided.
The Zoo Animal Technology program is a limited access program. All students who meet the minimum qualifications of the program will be admitted. All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications below by the application deadline unless otherwise stated:
- High school diploma or equivalent by the class start date
- Apply to and be accepted by Santa Fe College (apply at any time)
- Complete or test into MGF 1130 (Math Thinking) or MAC 1105 (College Algebra) and have results on file with Santa Fe College by application due date
- Complete or test into ENC 1101 and have results on file with Santa Fe College by application due date
- Have a 2.0 overall GPA in all college-level classes, if applicable, by application due date
- Submit the separate program specific Zoo Animal Technology application.
Note: You must apply directly to the Zoo Animal Technology program through a separate downloadable application during specific time frames. The Zoo Animal Technology program doesn’t start a new class every semester, but every other semester.
Upcoming admissions dates can be found at Dates and Deadlines (https://www.sfcollege.edu/zoo/become-a-zookeeper/dates-and-deadlines.html) website.
Decision letters are sent to the applicant’s Office365 email account (SFID@go.sfcollege.edu). If you do not receive correspondence or have questions, please follow up with the Zoo Animal Technology program advisor by emailing ZooAdvisor@sfcollege.edu. The Zoo Animal Technology program expects to send decision letters within three (3) weeks of the application closing deadline. If you do not receive correspondence, please follow up with the Zoo Animal Technology program advisor by emailing ZooAdvisor@sfcollege.edu.
Program Performance Standards
The Zoo Animal Technology Program (A.S.) is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective, interpersonal and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on these requirements, the following list of Program Performance Standards has been developed. Each standard has an example of activities which a student will be required to perform, with or without an accommodation, while enrolled in the program. The Program Performance Standards should be used as a guide to assist applicants in determining whether or not accommodations or modifications are necessary in order to meet program participation requirements. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Program Advisor for the Zoo Animal Technology Program. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disabilities Resource Center. Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the Disabilities Resource Center. Additionally, applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider.
Critical Thinking
Standard: Critical thinking sufficient for working around potentially dangerous animals.
Examples: Competent assessment of animals in timely manner; correct interpretation of assessment; readily respond with appropriate actions or communications; ability to work alone and to make correct independent decisions as needed.
Stress
Standard: Stress coping mechanisms to deal with demands (stresses that are associated with the job and/or the work environment so that acceptable levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained)
Examples: Working under time sensitive situations, frequent deadlines; working with animals and humans which depend on your accuracy of work for their safety; working with living animals whose health, physical, psychological and social characteristics may change frequently. Received constant performance feedback.
Cognition
Standard: Ability to learn, reason, assimilate and understand a wide variety of subjects
Examples: Math skills to calculate change in animal weight, change in diet, distance, etc.; ability to learn new concepts related to animal care such as behavior, nutrition, breeding, taxonomy, ecology, etc. in a short amount of time.
Interpersonal
Standard: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
Examples: Working with families who may have a varied degree of knowledge and understanding about animals; working with other animal care professionals in stressful or emergency situations. Working in a dynamic team environment, with co-workers from different backgrounds, traditions, communication styles, social and emotional abilities. Working with managers in an appropriate way, understanding appropriate communication skills and relationships.
Communication
Standard: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal, non-verbal and written form.
Example: Understand and speak the language fluently; ability to follow verbal and/or written instructions; must communicate animal behavior and animal interactions with other keepers and managers; document daily procedures performed in enclosures and with animals; consult with other animal care providers in a professional manner. Interact with guests in a professional manner. Understand guest needs and relay those needs to managers.
Mobility
Standard: Physical abilities sufficient to move around a 10 acre outdoor facility safely and quickly; maneuver in small spaces; Includes the strength necessary to lift and carry 50 lbs. as needed. Bend, stoop, squat, kneel, push/pull, crouch, climb ladders and reach areas of exhibits. Stand for 4 hours at a time.
Examples: Walking to and from habitats, commissary or supply areas; walking from habitat to habitat to take care of animals while on a team and under a time constraint; assisting in animal transport. Move around entire area of an habitat, climbing up ladders, bending under branches, reaching above shoulder to platforms. Sitting at a computer, desk or work station. Standing in the commissary at a diet preparation station. Navigating commissary with sharp or hot objects. Carry food bowls, containers, cleaning tools. Hold and move feed bags and large logs and branches.
Tactile and Motor Skills
Standard: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform animal care. Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and to provide animal intervention.
Example: Draw medications with syringe, hold and manipulate animals; open locks with keys, hold and utilize tools (hammer, knife, drill, etc.) appropriately, pick up small pieces of debris; write records on paper and on computer.
Hearing
Standard: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess animal needs.
Example: Hear animal vocalizations, danger sounds (running hooves, hissing); heart sounds, bowel sounds, breathing; hear radio transmissions; hear alarms around buildings, telephones; converse with guests, other zookeepers, and staff.
Visual function
Standard: Visual function sufficient for observation and assessment.
Example: Reading animal records, documentation, charts/flow sheets and graphics on paper and on computer screens or paper; drawing up and administering medications; assessing animal skin color, defecation color; reading thermometers; identify animal markings (leg bands, ear tags, etc) from a distance of 50 ft.
Animal Handling and Feeding
Standard: Comfort level handling, grasping, restraining collection animals as well as comfort handling animals which are utilized for food.
Examples: Touch a variety of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles (including snakes), amphibians and invertebrates; handling a variety of food items including raw meat, rodents, live insects, fish
Handle plant material
Standard: Ability to identify and handle plant material
Examples: Invasive, toxic and injurious plants must be removed from the animal environment; edible plants, fruit and vegetables must be handled, cut, chopped, mashed and delivered to the animals.
Work near moving machinery
Standard: Comfort and awareness to work around moving machinery
Example: Weed trimmers, riding and push lawn mowers, chainsaws, vehicles, golf carts, may be used in and around the facility
Exposure to weather and environmental changes
Standard: Ability to work in marked changes in temperature, humidity and rainfall; ability to work in dusty and windy conditions.
Examples: Temperatures will range from below freezing to above 100 degrees Fahrenheit; humidity may be 95%; rainfall may exceed 2 inches a day; wind may gust to hurricane levels
Travel by car
Standard: Ability to travel by car locally or regionally
Examples: Education outreaches take place off site, travel locally and during work hours is required to serve our community.
Working schedule
Standard: Ability and willingness to work weekdays, weekends, holidays and breaks between semesters
Examples: Animals must be cared for 365 days a year, students must be available to contribute on a set schedule throughout the year.
Native hazards
Standard: Ability to manage bites, stings, scrapes, bumps, bruises and abrasions
Examples: Bites may include fire ant, bee, wasp, hornet, spider; handling native and collection material may result in scrapes, cuts, bumps, bruises, abrasions.
Fifty Pound Weight Test
All students entering the Zoo Animal Technology program will be tested on their ability to lift 50 pounds safely to their shoulder and carry the item for 50 feet. The test will be given on their first day of Basic Keeper Laboratory (PAZ 1310L ) prior to the withdraw deadline. Any student that fails to show that they can complete the test will be dropped from all Zoo Animal Technology program courses and not allowed to continue in the program at that time. If the student is still interested in pursuing the program, they will need to reapply for the next open cohort.
For the actual test, the student is required to properly lift a 50-pound bag of dry animal feed from the ground to their shoulder, while in a kneeling position. Next, stand up with the bag balanced on your shoulder and walk with the bag for 50 feet. Finally, carefully lower the bag back down to the ground. During the exam, the instructor will also be watching for any signs of physical challenges that would jeopardize your safety in the program.
Additional Requirements Upon Acceptance into the Program
Upon acceptance, students must complete additional tasks in preparation to begin the program. Students must submit negative TB test results (annually) and a physicians approval form signed by their doctor.
All students must meet with the Zoo Animal Technology Program’s academic advisor either before (recommended) or after they have been accepted into the program. Please email the Zoo Animal Technology program advisor at ZooAdvisor@sfcollege.edu to schedule an appointment.
For more information visit the Become a Zookeeper website at www.sfcollege.edu/zoo/become-a-zookeeper.
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