Join our team at the Wilder Institute and grow your experience at one of the most unique sites in Calgary! The Wilder Institute’s Archibald Biodiversity Centre in Strathmore is seeking a fixed-term, on-call Animal Care Technician who will be responsible for completing all aspects of daily animal care and maintenance for Wilder Institutes Conservation Program animals. In addition to this, you may also assist with non dangerous animals transferred from the Calgary Zoo requiring off site temporary housing or quarantine.
Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.
Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.
Location: Archibald Biodiversity Centre near Strathmore, Alberta
Contract:
- Start: As soon as possible.
- End: March 2027
- Schedule: 0-40 hours per week
What you will do:
Animal Husbandry:
- Provide and monitor prescribed diets for a variety of animals, reporting dietary concerns or changes to management.
- Conduct regular assessments of animal weight, body condition, and overall health applying critical thinking to proactively identify potential health issues early.
- Maintain AZA standards for habitats and back-of-house areas through routine cleaning, disinfection, while actively participating in the pest management program.
- Identify and report any required facility and equipment maintenance.
- Administer prescribed treatments as needed, ensuring compliance with established protocols.
- Participate in animal capture and restraint procedures for veterinary procedures, shipments, and transfers under the guidance of experienced Animal Care Specialists, Supervisors, or Animal Care Technicians, ensuring all safety and welfare protocols are followed.
- Demonstrate and uphold established safe work practices consistently.
Animal Welfare & Wellbeing:
- Observe and document the physical and psychological behavior of animals, identifying deviations from normal patterns and reporting changes to Specialists, Supervisors, or Managers in a timely manner.
- track behavioral training and/ or enrichment programs to promote natural species-specific behaviors and achieve specific husbandry goals.
- Lead and participate in various internal processes, such as behavioral enrichment and training plans, from initiation to completion, documenting outcomes comprehensively.
- Uphold the highest standards of animal care in accordance with our AZA accreditation, ensuring compliance with established protocols and actively contributing to risk assessments related to animal welfare under the guidance of Management.
- Maintain accurate and detailed electronic records for Animal Health and Animal Care Teams about each animal.
- Update animal care records to inform and support decision making and enhance risk management practices.
- Identify and communicate maintenance needs for designated work areas, including, but not limited to, repairs or replacement of tools and equipment to Animal Care Specialists, Supervisors, or Managers.
- Troubleshoot equipment issues and train others on using equipment when necessary.
- Assist in educational and/or research programs as requested.
- Assign tasks and mentor animal care assistants tasks associated with animal welfare tasks as appropriate and as directed by Animal Care Specialists, Supervisors, and Managers.
Related Responsibilities:
- Have a diverse range of non-animal specific skills, including but not limited to vehicle operation, chemical application, plant identification, and water quality testing, to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.
What you will bring:
- At least 2 years’ animal care experience working at a AZA accredited zoo or aquarium facility
- Bachelors in Zoology or related field, or a combination of education and experience is required
- Must hold a valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s license.
- Demonstrated knowledge in the care, behavior, and health of various zoological and wildlife species, with an emphasis on species-specific needs.
- Strong working knowledge of zoo terminology and protocols, animal welfare standards, and conservation practices.
- Familiarity with ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) is highly desirable.
- Proven ability to adjust to frequently changing priorities and deadlines while maintaining high standards of care and attention to detail.
- Extensive experience working effectively in a team environment, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach, while employing effective time management and efficient strategies to achieve shared goals.
- Prepared to follow detailed instructions with a proactive, can-do attitude, contributing positively to team goals.
- Strong commitment to safety practices, ensuring a safe working environment for self and others.
- Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Proven ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative and sound judgment in decision-making.
Working Conditions:
- Comfortable working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including extreme cold, humidity, and hot climates
- Capable of performing physically demanding tasks unassisted, including walking, standing, crouching, climbing, reaching, pushing/pulling up to 45 kg unassisted, and lifting to 35 kg unassisted.
- Shift work which may be scheduled between 6:00am and 8:00pm, 7 days per week. Schedule may change at limited notice based on operational need.
- Call-ins may occur at any hours for emergency needs.
The Wilder Institute's Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute's Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.
What the Zoo Offers:
- Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
- Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
- A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals
Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.
Apply by doing the following:
- Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
- Submit your resume with an optional cover letter via our online application system.
- Fill in the Application questions.
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by our application deadline: October 9, 2026
The Wilder Institute strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard, and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.
This position is an existing vacancy within our organization. The Wilder Institute uses basic knockout questions in application to support screening; applications are otherwise assessed and selected by real humans.
All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that they will be contacted once applications have been reviewed, and a final decision has been made.
