ZOO CURATOR
To land Zoo Curator in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
To be eligible you bring a bachelor's degree and 4 years of relevant experience.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under direction, supervises animal and animal care/breeding programs, activities and staff in a zoological park; ensures that zoo animals have the correct living environment, diets and overall care; performs other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Organizes animal care programs and periodically checks mammals, birds, and reptiles, and their zoo environment to ensure proper execution of the program.
- Prepares and supervises animal breeding programs, and assists in the birth of the particular animals.
- Tests, monitors and inspects food purchased for zoo animals to ensure proper quality and appropriate diets.
- Performs macro and microscopic studies on specimens of animal feces, nasal exudates, and skin scrapings and identifies the extent of any parasite infestations.
- Assists in the selection and acquisition of new animals.
- Assists in the development of new zoo displays and exhibits.
- Administers medicine and other treatments required by ill or injured animals, as directed by a veterinarian.
- May directly supervise the activities of the principal animal keeper and his/her subordinates when difficult or unusual problems arise.
- Trains animal keepers and others performing work that may affect the well-being of the zoo's animals.
- Plans and refurbishes animal displays and exhibits according to the needs and habitats of the zoo animals.
- Conducts programs for exhibiting zoo animals to pupils at their school.
- Prepares and delivers lectures about the animal exhibits.
- Prepares reports and maintains records and files.
- Organizes and maintains the zoo's technical library to ensure a complete selection of necessary volumes pertinent to zoo operation.
- May visit and observe wild animal habitats to learn more about the habitations of various zoo animal species.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Husbandry, Animal Behavior, Animal Science or closely related field.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in work involving animal nutrition, taxonomy, animal behavior, parasitology, bacteriology, or zoology.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the problems involved in the care of mammals, birds, and reptiles that are exhibited in a zoological park.
- Knowledge of macro and microscopic studies to determine the kind and extent of parasite infestation.
- Knowledge of proper diets for various zoo species.
- Knowledge of zoology, biology, chemistry, and animal management.
- Ability to write and present technical papers.
- Ability to analyze problems.
- Ability to develop effective work methods, and give suitable assignments to subordinates.
- Ability to teach proper zoo animal care practices to subordinates.
- Ability to plan various zoo programs and animal displays.
- Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
A Master's degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Husbandry, Animal Behavior, Animal Science or other closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.