SF Zoo Animal Technology Program Brochure (2022)

ZOO

PROGRAM

ZOO ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Are you passionate about animals? Do you want to save the world and make a difference for wild animals in wild places? Santa Fe College’s Zoo Animal Technology program is the premier education path for zoo animal professionals. To facilitate this training, Santa Fe College has its own zoo, the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, located on the college’s Northwest Campus and accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Set in a naturally wooded environment, the 10-acre facility is open to the public and has a diverse collection of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

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. Our students are not assistants to anyone, they are our zookeepers. Find your niche, learn to go beyond the day-to-day operations of zoos and become a conservation champion!

DEGREES AND PROGRAMS DEFINED

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE

The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree program is designed to prepare you for a career, but in some cases it may transfer to a bachelor’s program. A.S. programs provide a good balance of general education coursework and hands-on training with the end goal to enter the workforce. The A.S. degree typically takes two years to complete.

COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATE-TO-BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAMS

A bachelor’s degree is the highest degree you can achieve in undergraduate education. If you would like to pursue your bachelor’s degree, Santa Fe College’s Zoo Animal Technology program has cooperative programs with:

University of West Florida - Pensacola, Florida uwf.edu/programs/hmcse/interdisciplinary-sciences-bs-zoo-science Degree: B.S. Interdisciplinary Sciences with Specialization in Zoo Science

Friends University - Wichita, Kansas friends.edu/undergraduate/natural-science-mathematics/zoo-science Degree: B.S. Zoo Science

Santa Fe College - Gainesville, Florida sfcollege.edu/programs/5500 Degree: B.A.S. Organizational Management

ZOO ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE (A.S.)

The Associate in Science degree is awarded for the successful completion of the Santa Fe College Zoo Animal Technology program. The program, designed by zoo professionals, meets the specialized needs of students for immediate employment in zoos and other animal care facilities. The program is unique in its ability to train for the vocations of zookeeper and animal technician, as well as other animal husbandry fields. No other program immerses students into the field of zookeeping to this extent.

The program:

• Assigns you the role of Zookeeper on the grounds of the AZA accredited SF Teaching Zoo

• Gives you the responsibility of providing the best care possible to the animals in your charge

• Exposes you to all aspects of daily operations of a zoo, including conservation, education and animal population management

• Allows you direct access to some of the most endangered animals in the world in order to facilitate breeding and maintain appropriate populations

• Puts you to work with like-minded peers in a vibrant and exciting environment

• Encourages you to explore different aspects of the animal care field by providing experiences unique to the SF Zoo Animal Technology program

• Connects you with industry professionals and organizations in order to advance your career opportunities

Our graduates occupy positions in zoos, aquariums 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.

TIME TO COMPLETION: Five (5) consecutive semesters including weekends, holidays and breaks between semesters.

AVERAGE SALARIES*

Zookeeper: $40,526

Animal Trainer: $35,829

Animal Health Care Technician: $43,565

Educator: $38,543

Animal Nutrition Technician: $34,879

Aquarist/Marine Mammal Specialist: $38,816

*Association of Zoos and Aquariums Member Compensation Report, 2021

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Zoo Animal Technology program applicants should possess sufficient physical, motor, intellectual, emotional and social/communication skills to provide for animal care, safety, utilization of equipment, guest interaction and proper team relationships. Some of the performance standards for the program are outlined below. This list is by no means complete, but should give potential students an understanding of what is to be expected. If a potential student believes they do not possess these skills or abilities, please contact the Zoo Animal Technology program advisor before applying to the program.

• Work around potentially dangerous animals

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Interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds

• Learn, reason, assimilate and understand a wide variety of subjects

• Interact with others in verbal and written form

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Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform animal care

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Auditory ability and visual function sufficient to observe and assess animal needs

• Safely handle, grasp and restrain collection animals

• Handle plant material

• Handle a variety of food items including meat, rodents, insects and fish

• Safely work around moving machinery

• Handle marked changes in outside temperature, humidity and rainfall; ability to work in dusty, windy and hot conditions

• Cope with demands that are associated with the job and/or work environment

• Have access to reliable transportation

• Manage bites, stings, scrapes, bumps, bruises and abrasions

• Move around our 10-acre outdoor facility safely and quickly, maneuver in small spaces, lift and carry 50 lbs., stand for hours, as well as be physically flexible

FIFTY POUND WEIGHT TEST

In order to meet industry standards, all students entering the Zoo Animal Technology program will be tested on their ability to lift 50 lbs. safely to their shoulder and carry the item for 50 feet. The test will be given on the first day of their Basic Keeper Laboratory (PAZ1310L) before the withdraw deadline. Any student who cannot complete the test will be removed from all Zoo Animal Technology program courses and given remedial materials to encourage success and will be advised to reapply for the next admission cycle. Please visit our program website at sfcollege.edu/ZAT for a video demonstration.

GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT: YOSANNI TORRES

My name is Yosanni Torres, and I am the Animal Care Coordinator for the Australia section at Zoo Miami. I work with a variety of animals such as Matchie’s Tree Kangaroos, Queensland Koala, Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Dingoes, Southern Cassowary, and Galapagos Tortoise. I oversee the daily husbandry of the animals in this section, and work closely with my team to provide the best care/ welfare for our animals. I assist with coordinating medical procedures with our veterinary staff and also help to create memorable guest engagement opportunities for the team to interpret the roles of the animals in our care and educate them on how to conserve them for future generations. I am also closely involved in the Tree Kangaroos of Papua, New Guinea SAFE Program (Saving Animals from Extinction) where I serve on a steering committee collaborating with wildlife professionals from around the world to help continue and strengthen conservation partnerships and efforts for the Matschie’s and Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos.

The Zoo Animal Technology program inspired me to appreciate all aspects of our natural world and how all of it is connected to a greater picture. I was mentored by amazing and knowledgeable zoo professionals who gave me a strong foundation in animal care and education. The Zoo Animal Technology program has made me detailed and passionate about my career working with wildlife, and I owe how far I have come to this amazing program.

ZOO ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM APPLICATION

Santa Fe College’s Zoo Animal Technology program has a separate application from the rest of the college. New classes start every other semester. Applications for each new cohort open around 10 months before classes start and close approximately eight months before the classes start. For starting dates and applications cycles for future classes visit the Zoo Animal Technology’s Dates and Deadlines page.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

APPLICATION PROCESS

We start a new class every other semester. Review the proper steps required when applying for the Zoo Animal Technology program. See the program website for more details at sfcollege.edu/programs/zat.

Step 1: Apply and be accepted to Santa Fe College through the Office of Admissions sfcollege.edu/admissions

Step 2: Apply to Zoo Animal Technology program sfcollege.edu/zoo/become-a-zookeeper

Step 3: Check the Dates and Deadlines page to ensure proper submission of required documents sfcollege.edu/zoo/become-a-zookeeper/dates-and-deadlines

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all documents are complete and on file with the Zoo Animal Technology program office by the application deadline. Each document must clearly identify the applicant. This includes proof of volunteer service or relevant work experience. Incomplete, unsigned or unidentifiable documents are not eligible for selection points criteria. Send all transcripts to the Office of Records at sfcollege.edu/registrar.

SELECTION PROCESS AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The selection criteria/point system is used by the program to determine which applicants will receive an invitation to the program. Applicants will be ranked according to points earned. Graduates of high school animal technology programs and participants of targeted college programs may be eligible for additional points consideration. Overall, postsecondary GPA will be used as primary tiebreaker criteria. For additional information on selection criteria, visit our program page at sfcollege.edu/ZAT.

What is the difference between Zoo Animal Technology A.S. and Zoology A.A.?

The Zoo Animal Technology A.S. degree is designed to prepare students to go directly to work in the animal care field. We assign students the role of zookeeper at our AZA-accredited Teaching Zoo. Through classroom education and hands-on experience in our zoo, students are exposed to most aspects of daily operations of a zoo and are ready for employment upon graduating. The Zoology A.A. degree is a basic university transfer degree and equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. The specific zoology track helps guide students through transfer requirements for your chosen college or university.

What will I learn from the Santa Fe College Zoo Animal Technology program?

As a student of the Zoo Animal Technology program you would do everything a typical zookeeper would do at any zoo in the country. Some of those duties include daily care, cleaning, feeding, creating enrichments, giving daily medications, operant conditioning training, record keeping, visitor interaction and animal observations. Students open and close the zoo and participate in all special events. Students are also involved with renovations and new enclosure construction. Students in the program are completely immersed in all daily operations of the SF Teaching Zoo.

The Zoo Animal Technology program is designed to train students for careers in the animal field. While the focus of the program is on zookeeping, moving into other aspects of the animal field is limited only by one’s imagination. Many graduates continue their education and/or take advantage of other unique opportunities - some of which may require additional education or training. Examples of the positions include veterinary assistants, conservationists, pet store operators, game and fish law officers, veterinarians, nature interpreters, ecotourism guides, museum interpreters, zoo education teachers, research technicians, animal trainers, elementary/high school science teachers, animal behavior laboratory technicians, entertainers, zoo administrators and animal rehabilitators.

What is a typical day in the program?

At 7:50 a.m., you arrive at the SF Teaching Zoo. After the morning “check-in/keeper meeting,” you proceed to check all of the animals in your assigned area. The rest of the morning, until 10:50 a.m., is filled with daily animal care. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., keepers attend either zoo lecture classes or general education classes.

At 3 p.m., you return to the zoo for afternoon lab. At this time any afternoon diets are offered, more observations are made and the zoo is prepared for the evening. After a final rounding through your areas, all students participate in “afternoon check-out,” where each area gives a summary of the day’s events and zoo staff make their final announcements. Around 4:30 p.m., you are dismissed for the day.

Will I be working on weekends, holidays and during summer breaks?

Yes. The animals need daily care and the SF Teaching Zoo is open to the public seven days a week. We treat weekends and holidays like a regular weekday. You are required to work one weekend day per week. If a holiday falls on a day you are normally scheduled, you are required to be here. You will work through semester breaks and summer. There will be no time during your five consecutive semesters in which you will be able to go home for an extended period. Absences other than a few designated sick/vacation days will affect your grades.

Will I be able to have a part-time job?

Your zoo schedule is between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and is demanding, so part-time jobs must be flexible. Evening and weekend positions work the best. Your weekend, holiday and break work will be scheduled ahead of time so you will be able to arrange your job around your zoo schedule. Typically, employment in the service industry (restaurants, etc.) has the most flexible hours. Veterinary offices have also been a source of employment for many of our students.

What about job placement after the program?

Based on our last survey, our placement rate is 85 percent. Professors give students the tools to help find employment in the field including doing mock interviews, showing students how to construct a professional resume, and how to write a cover letter. We participate in an internship program that hires two students, as well as host a career day for all our graduating seniors. We host zoos and aquariums from around our area to interview students for open positions they may have. We also have extensive contact with many zoos throughout the country and they keep us up to date on their job openings which we send to students consistently. Students should treat their time in this program like a job. Staff gives truthful recommendations to inquiring employers.

Will I need to take a placement test?

If you have not passed College Composition and College Algebra with a “C” or better in college or through an AP course you will need to take a placement test.

Does Santa Fe College provide housing? No. Fortunately, Gainesville is a college town and finding suitable housing is not too difficult. There are numerous apartment complexes in the area and most of them cater to the needs of students.

CONTACT INFORMATION

LOCATION

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo 3000 NW 83rd Street Gainesville, FL 32606

ADVISEMENT AND REGISTRATION

Program Advisor 352-395-5604

zooadvisor@sfcollege.edu

Tues-Sat; 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

POTENTIAL STUDENT TOURS 352-395-5633

It is not required, but highly recommended that you make an appointment to tour the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. Book your potential student tour online! Visit sfcollege.edu/zoo/ become-a-zookeeper to request your tour. The SF Teaching Zoo is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily.

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