Title: Animal Care Coordinator

Position Type: Professional Tech Full time

College: Pikes Peak State College

Location: Colorado Springs

Salary Range: $53,000 - $55,000 annual gross

Who We Are:

Pikes Peak State College is the largest and most diverse college in the Pikes Peak region, serving students with a wide range of goals, experiences, and responsibilities. Our students include recent high school graduates, working adults, military-affiliated students, parents, first-generation students, career changers, transfer students, and lifelong learners.

Our mission is to provide high-quality educational opportunities to all, with a focus on student success and community needs. We fulfill that mission by creating affordable, flexible, and accessible pathways that help students transfer to four-year institutions, enter the workforce, advance their careers, and build better futures close to home.

As the needs of our students, employers, and communities continue to evolve, so do we. PPSC embraces innovation that is human-centered, ethical, and focused on student learning. Through strong workforce partnerships and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, we prepare students not only for today's opportunities, but for what's next.

We're looking for people who are passionate about access, collaboration, innovation, and student success. Whether you work in the classroom or behind the scenes, your contributions help create opportunities that change lives. At PPSC, our vision is simple: Students Succeed at PPSC.

Job Summary:

This is a NON-CLASSIFIED employment opportunity and is exempt from the State Classified Personnel System. Visit the State of Colorado for Classified employment opportunities.   

Under the direction of management, the Animal Care Coordinator is responsible for the operations of the zoology collection and animal program labs, and provides outreach activities. Directly supports the Zoo Keeping Technology (ZOO) Program and Veterinary Assistant Certificate (VET) through the acquisition and care of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, fish, and mammalians, required by the ZOO program, domestic animal handling visits for VET, coordinating support activities, and working with students to enhance their learning. Develop hands-on learning experiences utilizing the zoology collection to provide students with practical skills. Maintains and oversees the zoology collection and associated environments and the VET lab equipment. Responsible for the feeding and care of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, fish and various mammals, as well as the maintenance and repair of their enclosures and habitats. Interpersonal contacts extend to college staff and faculty, students, the public, vendors, and external agencies that utilize or provide services to the ZOO and VET areas of the college, and oversight of part-time and work-study staff in these areas.

Ability to work evenings and travel to multiple campuses to support student and department needs.

Reports To: Director of Lab Operations & Budgets

Duties & Responsibilities:

In collaboration with the Dean, Associate Dean, ZOO and VET program and all relevant stakeholders, general duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Make decisions regarding acquisition and management of Animal Program specimens. Organize and coordinate breeding or acquisition of new specimens while adhering to the College’s standards. Works with Animal Programs staff to ensure proper care and minimize on-call support.
• Develop and coordinate partnerships with organizations to leverage zoology collection resources for trainings, events, workshops, etc. Work with contract teams to develop any required agreements.
• Coordinate the acquisition and transfer of animals with Animal Programs attending zoologists and SEM Division management, in adherence with college asset management policies and documentation requirements.
• In partnership with Animal Programs staff, SEM Division management, and staff of other PPSC college programs, create innovative ways of incorporating the animal collection into course and program outcomes (e.g., environmental science, conservation, art, etc.).
• Conducts animal collection tours for college classes, K-12 classes, homeschool groups, and other entities. Expands and/or supports Community Education, and academic noncredit class offerings.
• Provides daily feeding, husbandry, and basic medical care of all reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, and other assorted taxa in accordance with animal care standards as outlined in the AZA guidelines and documents, including: handling, habitat maintenance, feeding, and administering medical care under the direction of the attending zoologist (e.g., administering medications, performing health assessments); identifies and coordinates transfers or rehoming of specimens in accordance with college policy.
• During College closures due to inclement weather, provides care and feeding for the Animal Programs collection.
• Performs various Animal Programs collection operations and maintenance, including cleaning and maintaining enclosures, ensuring proper environmental controls, repairing enclosures, and managing habitat enrichment programs. Maintains laboratory equipment for veterinary assistant courses.
• Coordinates Animal Programs collection and animal supply purchases and yearly equipment maintenance for all enclosures, terrariums, support equipment, and purchases and maintenance for vet assistant lab equipment. Assists with the creation of purchase orders.
• Communicates updates with SEM Division management, ZOO and VET program staff, other College faculty/staff, and outside partners.
• Maintains records including animal health, asset management documentation, budget tracking tools, and inventory tracking tools.
• Coordinates animal use for ZOO and VET lab classes, and assists with instruction of ZOO and VET hands-on labs as needed.
• Hires, trains, schedules, and oversees casual Animal Programs collection employees.
• Attends ZOO/VET Team Meetings, ZOO/VET Advisory committees, and other ZOO/VET Program meetings. Participates in ZOO and VET Program accreditation as needed.
• Participates in special projects to support the College and the Animal Programs as needed.
• Stays abreast of current trends in zoological care and conservation methodologies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements Work is often performed in a variety of settings, frequently in a lab or controlled environment, caring for animals. Work hours vary with the needs of the animal collection, animals, and programs. Evening and weekend work may be required. Requires occasional physical effort such as lifting, handling enclosures, working with reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and other various taxa along with extensive walking/standing.

Competencies/KSAs:

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, and great attention to detail.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain confidentiality while working effectively with all constituents.
• Understanding animal husbandry needs for diverse taxa.
• Ability to interpret and adhere to college procedures and guidelines, Board Polices and System Procedures, and all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations.
• Ability to travel to multiple sites for purchasing and outreach activities to support department needs.
• Ability to operate and maintain equipment used in animal program laboratories.
• Ability to maintain detailed records using Microsoft 365 software.
• Ability to organize and multitask.
• Ability to maintain an established work schedule, including potential evening and weekend schedules.
• Ability to train work-study students and casual employees in animal care.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff and students.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Ability to prioritize, manage and complete multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to navigate differences effectively and respectfully in the workplace.
• Adhere to college policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completed Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution OR completed Associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with two years of professional level experience performing similar duties to those described for this position OR completed High School Diploma/GED with four years of professional level experience performing similar duties to those described for this position.
• Prior experience in captive exotic animal management with diverse taxa (to include invertebrates, fishes, herptiles, birds, and mammals).
• Familiar and comfortable with public speaking and safe, effective animal handling demonstrations in a professional education environment.

Professional level experience is defined by the Colorado Division of Human Resources: A position that involves the exercise of discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, or sharing an organized body of knowledge. Colorado revised statute (C.R.S. 24-50-135(1) allows colleges to exempt positions from the State Personnel Classified System that are determined to be professional level work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in Zookeeping or related field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• Two years of professional level experience in exotic animal care and management, with an emphasis on invertebrates, herptiles, closed system aquaria, and related horticulture and exhibit design.
• Prior experience working with students in a teaching environment.
• Ability to read, write, and speak fluent Spanish 

Selection Process:

For full consideration, all application materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. MST on  November 10, 2026.

Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.

Visa support is not available for this position.

Application Instructions: 

Pikes Peak State College will conduct reference checks and a criminal background check on the selected candidate. Employment offers and continued employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check. Positions with access to Federal Tax Information require a fingerprint-based criminal history record check as part of the pre-employment process.

Application must be submitted online.  Incomplete applications may not receive full consideration.  A complete application will include:

Cover letter - Address the minimum and preferred qualifications in the order listed on the job announcement.
Resume - Reflect experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  
Unofficial Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts for all degrees conferred.  Official transcripts are required if hired for the position.  
Professional References - Provide names and contact information for three recent professional references who can address your expertise and background for this position.

Additional Information/Benefits:

Work Life Balance

Pikes Peak State College offers a generous amount of annual leave and sick leave. Depending on your employment category and full or part-time status, Pikes Peak State College offers 15 hours a month of annual leave and 10 hours a month of sick leave accrual. There are paid holidays and alternate paid holidays which allow the college to be closed Christmas Day through New Year's Day. Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Tuition Reimbursement

Education and your success are a priority at Pikes Peak State College. We encourage you to develop job skills and abilities which will benefit you as well as our college. Eligible employees, their eligible dependents, and spouse/domestic partners may enroll in credit courses at any of the Colorado Community College System. Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Health, Dental & Vision

Pikes Peak State College offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to provide you and eligible dependents, spouse/domestic partner, with a broad range of employer paid and employee paid benefit options. In addition to medical coverage, the college offers dental and vision insurance plans to choose from. Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Retirement

Pikes Peak State College participates in Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates. State employees are required to a mandatory contribution of a percentage of their salary to the plan, and the college contributes a percentage as well. While you are enrolled in PERA, you do not pay Social Security. In addition, there are supplemental retirement plans available through three other vendors.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) offer you an easy way to pay for eligible medical and childcare expenses with money that's set aside with a pre-tax benefit. Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Disability Coverage

Pikes Peak State College offers disability insurance to help you meet needs should you become unable to work due to an illness or injury.

Life Insurance

Pikes Peak State College offers life insurance paid for by the college to eligible employees. Supplemental life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies are available for those interested in additional coverage. Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Additional Leave Programs

Pikes Peak State College offers additional leave programs such as bereavement leave, jury leave, community and parental academic leave, Family and Medical Leave (FML), and Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI).