Feeds, provides water for and monitors the health of animals in zoos, aquaria and wildlife parks, cleans, fixes and maintains animal cages, and informs visitors about animals.

Prepares, cleans, disinfects and maintains comfortable cages and enclosures; transports food, fills water troughs and feeds animals according to their individual needs; maintains animal health records, treats minor injuries and reports serious conditions to veterinarians; exercises and play with animals and answers visitor questions and transfers animals between enclosures by leading or carrying them; dusts and sprays insecticides on animals and immerses them in insecticide baths to control insect pests.

• Works outdoors in many situations, but may also work indoors in animal care areas.
• Employees frequently work in smelly, wet, hot, dusty or dirty conditions.

• Medium physical demand level.
• Frequently stands, walks and moves about the worksite.
• Sitting is unlikely to be required.
• Occasionally stretches up or across. This varies depending on the type of animals being worked with.
• Occasionally squats or crouches and kneels when working with small animals or birds.
• Twisting of the body or neck is required occasionally.
• Substantial contact with skin irritants or water is likely when cleaning and handling animals or their homes.
• Heavy lifting and carrying is likely on an occasional basis when lifting and carrying animals, food, tools and equipment.
• Employees may need to bend frequently for many animal welfare roles (e.g. picking up small animals or bending over to lift food containers).
• Repetitive hand and arm movements are likely on an occasional basis.
• Driving may be required but is not a significant component of the job.
• The use of hand tools/hand-held objects such as animal care equipment and general maintenance tools are likely to be required.
• Mental skills necessary includes animal handling, alertness communication, sensitivity to and awareness of animal needs and behaviour.

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.