<p>ANNUAL SALARY</p> <p>$138,330 to $202,285</p> <p>NOTE:</p> <p>Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.</p> <p>The Director of Animal Care plans, directs and coordinates all functions of the Animal Care Division at the Los Angeles Zoo.</p> <ul> <li>Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in zoology, biology, or a closely related field; and three years of full-time paid professional zoo experience as a curator, assistant zoo director, or zoo director performing planning, directing, and coordinating of animal care functions at a zoo; or </li><li>Seven years of full-time paid zoo experience as a curator, or assistant zoo director, performing planning, directing, and coordinating of animal care functions at a zoo. </li></ul> <p>Full-time paid experience at the level of a curator involving the care, selection, or identification of exotic wild animals may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required education.</p> <p>PROCESS NOTES</p> <ul> <li>Applicants who lack six months or less of the required experience at the time of filing, may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until the full experience requirement is met. </li><li>As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required. Applicants will be disqualified and candidates will not be eligible for hire if their DMV record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation such as DUI or DWI in any state or jurisdiction. Notice of disqualification or ineligibility for hire may be issued by the City of Los Angeles at any time before a final job offer is extended. </li><li>For Internal Use Only: Licensing verification will occur at the time of appointment. </li><li>Applicants qualifying under Requirement #1 must list their school name and location, type of degree earned and major in the Education Section of the City application. Applicants who fail to provide this information on their application will not be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed. </li><li>Please note that qualifying education must be from a school accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at https://personnel.lacity.gov/Accredited%20Institutions%2008-21-08.pdf. </li><li>For qualifying work experience in Requirement #1, the term "professional experience" applies to positions that require possession of a degree from an accredited four-year college or university in order to obtain that position. Therefore, to be considered "professional," experience must be gained in positions requiring a four-year degree. </li><li>Candidates completing the examination process may be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying degree. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their qualifying degree or transcripts to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section. </li></ul> <p>Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply" icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity.</p> <p>NOTE:</p> <p>Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.</p> <p>APPLICATION DEADLINE</p> <p>Applications must be received by THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026.</p> <p>In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Los Angeles City promotional applicants who meet the minimum requirements. You must have received a regular appointment to a City position or be on a reserve list to apply for this examination as a promotional candidate; 2) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles on a part-time or exempt basis who meet the minimum requirements; 3) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applications submitted during the filing period may be kept on file in the event that additional applicants need to be tested to meet hiring needs.</p> <p>Examination Weight: </p> <p>100% Interview</p> <p>The examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of personal and professional qualifications by interview. In the interview, emphasis may be placed on the candidate's experience, training, and background as they have provided knowledge of: zoology as required to provide technical and scientific information about various animals, including their identification, food, shelter, and care, and to advise on their selection, collection, breeding requirements, various diseases, exhibition requirements and appropriate methods and techniques for disease prevention and control; modern zoological practices and research related to the care, well-being, and exhibition of animals; safety principles and practices required when working at a zoo, including proper tool and equipment usage and emergency preparedness planning; principles, practices, methods, and techniques of administration, management, organization, and supervision; effective leadership principles as required to develop and maintain accountability, trust, and cooperation among staff and peers; laws and regulations related to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO); the ability to: effect solutions to organizational problems, including those related to personnel utilization, and the care and exhibition of animals; deal tactfully and effectively with visiting dignitaries and guests, the media, the public, department management, City officials, and employees; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.</p> <p>Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which may be held in Los Angeles or on-line. It is anticipated that interviews will begin during the period of MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026 to FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026.</p> <p>NOTES:</p> <ul> <li>As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at http://per.lacity.org/exams/verify_disability.pdf. </li><li>Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin. </li><li>In conjunction with Civil Service Rules, applicants who have received a regular appointment to a City position or are on a reserve list will be considered Promotional candidates while all other applicants will be considered Open candidates. </li><li>Appointment to a position in this class is subject to a one-year probationary period as provided by Section 1011 of the Los Angeles City Charter. </li><li>Promotional candidates will accrue seniority credit at the rate of 0.10 of a point for each year of continuous service in those City classes which provide qualifying experience for this position. A maximum of one point will be added to the score of those candidates. </li><li>The promotional list will ordinarily be used ahead of the open competitive list. However, if open competitive candidates receive a higher score, without military credits, than the highest available promotional candidate, after adding seniority credit as indicated above, the Civil Service Commission, upon request of the appointing authority, may approve certification of such open competitive candidates ahead of the promotional candidates. </li><li>A final average score of 70% or higher is required to be placed on the eligible list. </li><li>In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22 and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list. </li><li>If in accordance with the Rule of Three Whole Scores all candidates are eligible for appointment consideration, the examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of the candidate's City employment application by Personnel Department staff to ensure that the minimum qualifications have been met. </li></ul> <p>Notice:</p> <p>If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.</p> <p>THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN BOTH ON AN</p> <p>INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL AND OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS</p> <p>The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.</p> <p>AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER</p> <p>For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html</p>