Animal Nutrition Technician (Culinary, Food Prep, Cook Prep, Full-Time)

Application Deadline: Sunday, 5 April 2026 and/or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to close the posting early if a well-qualified candidate pool has been established.  Early submission is encouraged.

Please ensure that your application highlights your experience and qualifications as they relate to the responsibilities of this role. 

Have experience in food handling and want to make an impact beyond the kitchen? If you’ve worked in food prep, as a prep cook, kitchen assistant, or in a food production environment, this is a unique opportunity to apply your skills in a mission-driven wildlife setting. As an Animal Nutrition Technician I (Full-Time) at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, you play an essential behind-the-scenes role in supporting the health and well-being of hundreds of animals.

Your day begins early in the Animal Nutrition Center, the Zoo’s specialized production kitchen. Here, every ingredient matters. Using your knowledge of food preparation, portion control, and HACCP food safety practices, you will prepare and measure balanced, species-specific diets for animals across the Zoo, from small reptiles and birds to large mammals.

This hands-on role mirrors the pace and structure of a professional kitchen, requiring precision, strong measurement skills, and attention to sanitation and food handling standards. You’ll be helping fuel conservation, ensuring animals receive the nutrition they need to thrive.  Working closely with animal care, veterinary, and nutrition teams, you will help ensure that diets are prepared accurately and distributed efficiently each day. Your work directly supports animal wellness, veterinary care, and conservation programs that protect wildlife for future generations.

Help us meet our mission, "Connecting our community to wildlife and wild places."

What you bring:

• 6 months of experience in food preparation in a commercial kitchen, food service operation, or similar environment.
• Working knowledge of HACCP protocols and safe food handling.
• Strong math and measurement skills (fractions, conversions, portioning).
• Ability to work independently while making sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively with multiple departments.
• Physical ability to perform active, on-your-feet 6–8 hour shift, including excessive heat and cold in association with the kitchen environment.

Pre-Employment Requirements: Candidates selected for this position must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings prior to their start date.  Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to ensure the safety of staff, animals, and visitors. These include:

• Non-DOT physical examination
• Professional Reference Check
• Employment Verification
• Proof of a current negative tuberculosis (TB) test.
• Documentation of required vaccinations, including rabies vaccination or titer.

A Plus…

• Experience in a zoo, aquarium, or institutional food service environment.
• Food Handling/Sanitation certification.
• Successful completion of a degree in the field of dietetics, food, nutrition, food service management, institution management, or related science.
• Working knowledge of regulatory compliances, OSHA, Association of Zoos, and Aquariums (AZA) and USDA.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to consistently remain on your feet for 8-10 hours on shift.
• Ability to work outdoors and indoors under all environmental conditions and temperatures.
• Ability to work in excessive heat and cold in association with the kitchen environment.
• Ability to transport and move items frequently up to 50 pounds for short distances without difficulty.
• Ability to ascend/ descend ladders, steps, and uneven terrain, while maintaining body equilibrium while performing various jobs.
• Manual dexterity for standing, reaching, flexibility, and body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling, stoop, bend, lift, kneel, crawl, climb, jump, dig and prolonged standing.
• ​Visual acuity for reading, writing, and observing surroundings, and auditory acuity for communication. 
• Ability to operate motorized carts, trucks, and power tools.  
• Ability to  safely operate specialized food preparation equipment such as; ovens, microwaves, grinders, blenders, dishwashers, sharpeners, and mixers.

WORK CONDITIONS 

• Exposure to various weather conditions, including extreme heat, sunlight, cold, rain, snow, and wind.  
• Regular work on weekends and holidays with irregular work hours sometimes required. 
• Exposure to hazards such as wildlife, waste, equipment, loud noises, chemicals, and heights. 
• Potential exposure to allergens (dust, animal dander, pollen, etc.), pathogens, and injuries from animals. 
• Periodic work in small, enclosed areas. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations
EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE