Take the next step in your career and make a meaningful impact on wildlife conservation as a full-time, permanent Animal Care Assistant at the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo where you will help support daily animal care and maintenance. This role is primarily focused on providing general and foundational support to the team responsible for animal care and maintenance in an assigned zone.
The Animal Care Assistant is responsible for thorough cleaning and maintenance of animal habitats and work areas through dedicated physical labor, ensuring a safe and sanitary environment for both animals and staff. They follow established protocols and procedures meticulously to complete assigned tasks effectively and efficiently. Ultimately, the Animal Care Assistant will be a safe, efficient, and effective support to operational and team activities and help foster a collaborative work environment.
Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.
Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.
What you will do:
Husbandry:
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Prepare and assist in providing prescribed diets to a variety of animals.
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Clean and disinfect habitats and back of house to meet or exceed organizational standards.
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Participate in pest management.
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Communicate any maintenance requests or equipment needs for designated areas to the Animal Care Specialists, Supervisors, and Managers.
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Upon successful completion of required training, permanent staff will be directly responsible and accountable for the care of designated non-dangerous animals in their respective zone.
Animal Welfare:
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Promptly report any abnormalities observed from animals or in the animal spaces to Animal Care Technicians, Specialists, Supervisors, or Managers.
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Support the implementation of habitat changes and enrichment activities.
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Ensure the highest standards of care for all animals at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo by adhering to established protocols.
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Permanent staff will have opportunities to be trained for in various aspects of animal welfare (for example, learning processes to conduct welfare assessments or make recommendations for improvements).
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Complete assigned checklists, reports, and documentation relevant to the work site and animals.
Public Interaction and Education:
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Contribute to the mission and vision of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo by promoting wildlife conservation and engagement.
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Assist in delivering educational talks and demonstrations, sharing organizational messaging with visitors and fostering a positive visitor experience.
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Monitor animal behavior and visitor interactions in immersive habitats (seasonally), while ensuring adherence to animal welfare standards.
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Respond to public inquiries and escalate complex questions or issues as needed.
What you will bring:
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Bachelors in Zoology or related field, or a combination of education and experience is preferred
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A background in animal care or experience working with animals in work/volunteer setting is highly beneficial.
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Animal care experience in a zoo environment is considered an asset.
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Familiarity with zoo terminology, animal welfare standards, and conservation practices is preferred.
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Must hold a valid Class 5 Alberta driver's license.
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Ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines in a dynamic work environment.
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Proactive and enthusiastic about learning for skills development
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Proven ability to work effectively in a team setting, contributing positively to group dynamics.
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Willingness to follow instructions with a proactive, can-do attitude.
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Strong commitment to safety practices and maintaining a safe work environment.
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Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
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Ability to perform tasks independently while also being a reliable team member.
Working Conditions:
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Comfortable working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including extreme cold, humidity, and hot climates
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Capable of performing physically demanding tasks unassisted, including walking, standing, crouching, climbing, reaching, pushing/pulling up to 45 kg unassisted, and lifting to 35 kg unassisted.
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Shift work may be scheduled between 6:00am and 8:00pm, 7 days per week. Schedule may change at limited notice based on operational need.
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Call-ins may occur at any time for emergency needs.
The Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the organization must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.
What the Zoo Offers:
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Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement
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Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
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Employer matching RRSP program
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Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
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Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
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A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals
Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.
Apply by doing the following:
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Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
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Submit your resume with an optional cover letter via our online application system.
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Fill in the Application questions:
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Confirm eligibility to work in Canada
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Tell us about how you hear about the position.
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If hired, when would you be available to start?
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Do you have a valid Driver's License?
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If hired, what would be your salary/wage expectations?
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by July 14, 2026.
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.
This position is an existing vacancy within our organization. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo uses basic knockout questions in application to support screening; applications are otherwise assessed and selected by real humans.
All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that they will be contacted once applications have been reviewed and a final decision has been made.
