INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT - Applicants must be a current, active Pikes Peak State College employee within the 2025 calendar year, any capacity.
This is a NON-CLASSIFIED employment opportunity. Visit the State of Colorado for Classified employment opportunities.
The Animal Care Coordinator is responsible for the operations of the zoology collection and animal program labs, and provides outreach activities. Directly supports the Zoo Keeping Technology (ZOO) Program and Veterinary Assistant Certificate (VET) through the acquisition and care of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, fish, and mammalians, required by the ZOO program, domestic animal handling visits for VET, coordinating support activities, and working with students to enhance their learning. Develop hands-on learning experiences utilizing the zoology collection to provide students with practical skills. Maintains and oversees the zoology collection and associated environments and the VET lab equipment. Responsible for the feeding and care of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, fish and various mammals, as well as the maintenance and repair of their enclosures and habitats. Interpersonal contacts extend to college staff and faculty, students, the public, vendors, and external agencies that utilize or provide services to the ZOO and VET areas of the college, and oversight of part-time and work-study staff in these areas.
The college offers the possibility for alternative work arrangements such as flexplace, remote work, or flextime scheduling upon completion of training and department needs.
Anticipated start date is July 2025.
Minimum Qualifications
- Completed Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution OR completed Associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with two years of professional level experience performing similar duties to those described for this position OR completed High School Diploma/GED with four years of professional level experience performing similar duties to those described for this position.
- Prior experience in captive exotic animal management with diverse taxa (to include invertebrates, fishes, herptiles, birds, and mammals).
- Familiar and comfortable with public speaking and safe, effective animal handling demonstrations in a professional education environment.
Professional level experience is defined by the Colorado Division of Human Resources: A position that involves the exercise of discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, or sharing an organized body of knowledge. Colorado revised statute (C.R.S. 24-50-135(1) allows colleges to exempt positions from the State Personnel Classified System that are determined to be professional level work.
Preferred Qualifications
- Completed Associate’s degree in Zookeeping or related field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
- Two years of professional level experience in exotic animal care and management, with an emphasis on invertebrates, herptiles, closed system aquaria, and related horticulture and exhibit design.
- Prior experience working with students in a teaching environment.
- Ability to read, write, and speak fluent Spanish
For full consideration, all application materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. on May 27, 2025.
INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT - Applicants must be a current, active Pikes Peak State College employee within the 2025 calendar year, any capacity.
Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.
Visa support is not available for this position.
Application Instructions: Application must be submitted online. Incomplete applications may not receive full consideration. A complete application will include:
- Cover letter - Address the minimum and preferred qualifications in the order listed on the job announcement.
- Resume - Reflect experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Unofficial Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts for all degrees conferred. Official transcripts are required if hired for the position.
- Professional References - Provide names and contact information for three recent professional references who can address your expertise and background for this position.
This position may be eligible for a variety of employee benefits. Pikes Peak State College participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates.
Note: Prior submission of application materials will not be considered.
Essential Functions
- Determine acquisition and management of Animal Program specimens. Organize and coordinate breeding or acquisition of new specimens while adhering to the College’s standards. Works with Animal Programs staff to ensure proper care and minimize on-call support.
- Develop and coordinate partnerships with organizations to leverage zoology collection resources for trainings, events, workshops, etc. Work with contract teams to develop any required agreements.
- Coordinate the acquisition and transfer of animals with Animal Programs attending zoologists and SEM Division management, in adherence with college asset management policies and documentation requirements.
- In partnership with Animal Programs staff, SEM Division management, and staff of other PPSC college programs, create innovative ways of incorporating the animal collection into course and program outcomes (e.g., environmental science, conservation, art, etc.).
- Conducts animal collection tours for college classes, K-12 classes, homeschool groups, and other entities. Expands or supports Community Education, and academic non- credit class offerings.
- Provides daily feeding, husbandry, and basic medical care of all reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, and other assorted taxa in accordance with animal care standards as outlined in the AZA guidelines and documents, including: handling, habitat maintenance, feeding, and administering medical care under the direction of the attending zoologist (e.g., administering medications, performing health assessments); identifies and coordinates transfers or rehoming of specimens in accordance with college policy.
- During College closures due to inclement weather, provides care and feeding for the Animal Programs collection.
- Performs various Animal Programs collection operations and maintenance, including cleaning and maintaining enclosures, ensuring proper environmental controls, repairing enclosures, and managing habitat enrichment programs. Maintains laboratory equipment for veterinary assistant courses.
- Coordinates Animal Programs collection and animal supply purchases and yearly equipment maintenance for all enclosures, terrariums, support equipment, and purchases and maintenance for vet assistant lab equipment. Assists with the creation of purchase orders.
- Communicates updates with SEM Division management, ZOO and VET program staff, other College faculty/staff, and outside partners.
- Maintains records including animal health, asset management documentation, budget tracking tools, and inventory tracking tools.
- Coordinates animal use for ZOO and VET lab classes, and assists with instruction of ZOO and VET hands-on labs as needed.
- Hires, trains, schedules, and oversees casual Animal Programs collection employees.
- Attends ZOO/VET Team Meetings, ZOO/VET Advisory committees, and other ZOO/VET Program meetings.
- Participates in ZOO and VET Program accreditation.
- Participates in special projects to support the College and the Animal Programs.
- Stays abreast of current trends in zoological care and conservation methodologies.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Work Environment and Physical Requirements Work is often performed in a variety of settings, frequently in a lab or controlled environment, caring for animals. Work hours vary with the needs of the animal collection, animals, and programs. Evening and weekend work may be required.
- Requires occasional physical effort such as lifting, handling enclosures, working with reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and other various taxa along with extensive walking/standing.
General Duties, Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Cultural competence and demonstrated evidence, understanding, and commitment to the concepts of diversity, multiculturalism, and their application in the workplace.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Maintain confidentiality while working effectively with all constituents.
- Understanding animal husbandry needs for diverse taxa.
- Ability to interpret and adhere to college procedures and guidelines, Board Polices and System Procedures, and all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations.
- Ability to travel to multiple sites for purchasing and outreach activities to support department needs.
- Ability to operate and maintain equipment used in animal program laboratories.
- Ability to maintain detailed records using Microsoft 365 software.
- Ability to organize and multitask.
- Ability to maintain an established work schedule, including potential evening and weekend schedules.
- Ability to train work-study students and casual employees in animal care.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff and students.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
- Ability to prioritize, manage and complete multiple projects simultaneously.
As part of the State of Colorado, PPSC offers a competitive benefits package:
This job description reflects Pikes Peak State College’s best effort to describe the essential duties and qualifications of the job. It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities or qualifications of the job. This document is not intended to exclude an opportunity for modifications consistent with providing reasonable accommodation.
EEO Statement: Pikes Peak State College is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act institution. We value diversity, strive for a more unified campus where all people are valued, treated fairly, and possess a sense of belonging. Pikes Peak State College encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.
