Animal Technician

Salary: $13.35 Hourly
Location : 3601 Thomas Rd. (Zoo), Baton Rouge, LA 70807, LA
Job Type: Full Time Non-Exempt
Job Number: AT2026
Department: Zoo
Opening Date: 09/25/2026
Closing Date: 10/9/2026 4:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt


General Summary

General Summary: The Animal Technician performs animal husbandry which includes feeding animals and cleaning animal facilities.

Requirements and Job Specifications

Education Required: High School Diploma or equivalent
License(s) Required: Valid LA driver's license in good standing. Must be able to obtain a LA driver's license within 60 days of hire.
Years of Relevant Work Experience: 1 year experience in animal care. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of animal care and basic husbandry skills
• Knowledge of techniques to work with dangerous wild and exotic animals in a controlled environment
• Ability to explicitly follow instructions.
• Ability to recognize abnormal behavior / physical condition of animals.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to work in close proximity to dangerous animals.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot or inclement weather
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, other employees, volunteers, and zoo guests.

Functions and Duties

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Feeds and handles animals and cleans the exhibits.
• Assures security.
• Recognizes and reports abnormal behavior or physical condition of animals.
• Unloads feed trucks.
• Keeps grounds free of litter.
• Interacts with public.
• Performs oral and written reports.
• Provides enrichment and maintains exhibit furniture.

Secondary Job Duties

• Assists veterinarians.
• Performs public relation duties.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.

Supplemental Information


Full-time position; schedules vary, within the framework of 8 hours/5 days per week, lunch break daily; Overtime as required. Must be able to work holidays and weekends, irregular hours and weekends as required.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. If you do not complete each section of this application (i.e. work experience, education, or etc.) to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.

An offer of employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment criminal background check, Motor Vehicle Records check, drug screen and physical.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io.
2026 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
HEALTH INSURANCE : BREC provides comprehensive medical coverage through Louisiana Blue formerly BCBSLA , including HMO, PPO, and Blue Saver (Qualified High-Deductible Health Savings Account) options. Coverage becomes effective on the first day of the month following a two-month waiting period. Employee cost per month for HMO: $175.43 - employee only; $597.45 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $962.52-family. Employee cost per month for PPO: $375.23- employee only;$975.50- employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $1,492.70 - family. Employee cost per month for Blue Saver: $39.08 - employee only; $162.68 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $290.49 - family. In addition to medical coverage, BREC offers voluntary insurance options, including Dental and Vision.
LIFE INSURANCE : All full-time employees are insured under a Group Term Life Insurance policy provided by Lincoln Financial . Coverage is subject to reduction at ages 65 and 70. There is no cost to the employee; however, coverage associated with salaries exceeding $50,000 is subject to imputed income in accordance with IRS regulations. Coverage is effective immediately upon eligibility.

RETIREMENT SYSTEM: BREC contributes 38.22% of each employee's salary to the City-Parish Employees' Retirement System. Employees contribute 9.5% of salary. All retirement contributions are tax-deferred. Employee contributions are maintained in individual accounts and are refunded if an employee leaves BREC prior to retirement eligibility. After 25 years of service, employees may be eligible for additional benefits through the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP). BREC also offers a Supplemental Retirement Deferred Compensation Plan through Nationwide Retirement Solutions, available through convenient payroll deductions.
HOLIDAYS : BREC employees receive twelve (12) paid holidays per year.


SICK LEAVE : BREC employees accumulate sick leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increase based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 30 days of continuous employment.
ANNUAL LEAVE : BREC employees earn annual leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increased based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 90 days of continuous employment.
FULL-TIME STATUS : Upon completion of a six-month probationary periods and approval of supervisor, full-time status will be achieved.
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS : BREC full-time employees can take advantage of a generous discount. Some restrictions may apply. See the discount policy for more details.
EAP : BREC's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered by Lucet. They EAP helps employees and their family members resolve personal or work-related problems.
CREDIT UNION : BREC employees are eligible to join the City Federal Credit Union and/or Pelican State Credit Union and enlist in payroll deduction plan. Direct deposit to the Credit Union is also available.

FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS : BREC is a qualifying employer for public service loan forgiveness. Employees who have Federal Direct Loans and have made 120 payments on the Federal Direct Loans (after October 1, 2007) may be eligible for the remaining loan balance to be forgiven.


LA START : This 529 Qualified Tuition savings plan may be open on behalf of a named Beneficiary by anyone, including legal entities, provided that the Account Owner or the Beneficiary is a resident of Louisiana. Account Owners may save at their own pace, in amounts they can afford.

FSA : BREC offers an FSA that allows employees to contribute a portion of their regular earnings before taxes. Distributions from the account must be used to reimburse the employee for qualified expenses related to medical and dental services.

SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS : BREC offers voluntary benefits through AFLAC or Colonial Life. Those benefits include accident insurance, critical care, hospital indemnity, life, LTD and STD.
BREC reserves the right to at any time and from time to time to modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the benefit package.
*Commissioned Approved Benefits Effective January 1, 2026*
01


Do you have previous experience working in a close proximity of dangerous animals

• Yes
• No

02


What kind of animals have you worked with?
03


How many years of experience do you have caring for animals?
04


Have you ever volunteered for BREC? Yes or No. If so, in what capacity and what location?
05


Are you 18 or older?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question