General

We need an Educator and a Ranger!

The mission of the Jackson Zoo is to provide visitors with a quality recreational and educational environment, dedicated to wildlife care and conservation.

Current Job Openings

As we continue on the path to re-opening to the public, our staff is need of new team members: an Education Curator and a Security Ranger.

The JZ Education Curator is in charge of all our educational activities, both on zoo grounds and out in the community. He or she will plan and execute our spring, summer, and winter Zoo Camps, manage Zoo Mobiles and other outreach, guide all Meet and Greets and Wild Classrooms, coordinate and execute educational events, and head our volunteer program. This position works closely with all staff, especially the JZ Keepers for programs and the care of the Discovery Ambassador Animals.

We are also looking for an addition to our JZ Security Ranger team. This is currently a part-time position (with possible later expansion) that helps protect our animals, staff, guests, facilities, and park grounds. He or she continuously patrols the entire park, keeps an eye on safety conditions of animals, staff, guests, and facilities, often assists guests during daily operations and special events, and is capable of guiding others through possible emergencies.

Both of these positions are very active, very visible, and very rewarding. Interested applicants can visit our Job Posting website page for all the details, then email their resume and application HERE with their position of interest in the subject line.

The Jackson Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Email this link to a friend!

By EJ Rivers, ago

Jackson Zoo Welcomes Thrivent Financial Living Generously Service Day on May 11th

Thrivent Financial Services in the Jackson Metro will be showing support for the Jackson Zoo on Saturday, May 11th, with a Living Generously day of service. Along with volunteering, the not-for-profit financial membership organization is donating thousands of dollars in materials to the nearly 100-year-old park to help with annual “curb appeal” projects.

Financial Consultant Josh Jones, FIC, RICP®, BFA™ of Thrivent Financial, reached out to the Jackson Zoo staff in April, expressing the desire of Thrivent Financial’s members to not only volunteer, but also donate goods to complete some much needed park tasks:  refreshing the turf of the two playground areas inside the zoo, and replacing the colorful flags at the Capitol Street entrance.  Thrivent Financial has purchased 400 bags of natural mulch from Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Jackson and Ridgeland, and ten 4’X6’ outdoor flags from A Complete Flag Source in Jackson to replace the original flags hung in 2013. A Complete Flag Source will be donating the flag hanging service on Friday, May 10th, so that the fresh colors will greet the Thrivent volunteers. In addition, approximately thirty employees and members of Thrivent Financial will be gathering at Jackson Zoo Admissions at 9 a.m. on the morning of Saturday, May 11th, to help distribute the mulch, with the assistance of the regular Zoo Crew Landscaping volunteers.

“The Jackson Zoo staff is so grateful for this kind of multi-level donation,” said David L. Wetzel, Interim Zoo Director. “There are many projects where we have wonderful people ready to get in there and help with their time, but not enough resources. Thrivent’s gift of services AND goods lifts some of the weight off the small staff on two fronts, which makes a huge difference to what we can accomplish in a day.”

Started over one hundred years ago in Appleton, Wisconsin, Thrivent Financial is a financial services organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously, offering its more than two million member-owners a broad range of products, services, and guidance from financial representatives nationwide. It has helped members make wise money choices that reflect their values, while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work, and worship. Thrivent Financial is listed at #318 on the Fortune 500, named as one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere Magazine, and has donated more than 15.4M volunteer hours and $280M in financial relief to non-profits and  disaster relief all over the world.

The Jackson Zoo is the oldest zoological park in the state of Mississippi, started in 2019, and its daily operation relies on funds from daily admissions and membership, as well as the local, county, and state levels of government. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Christmas Day, and his home to over 360 animals representing species all over the world. All media is invited out to talk to representatives from both the Jackson Zoo and Thrivent Financial, who will be on hand to make statements during the volunteer hours.

By EJ Rivers, ago

Comcast Cares Day Volunteers Come to Jackson Zoo on April 21st

JACKSON MS – April 13, 2018   The Jackson Zoological Society is honored to be one of several non-profits in the Metro area chosen for Comcast Cares Day 2018 on Saturday, April 21st. This the 17th year for America’s largest single-day corporate service event, with volunteers comprised of local Comcast NBCUniversal employees, families, and friends helping community organizations around the world. At 8 a.m. on the 21st, Jackson’s Comcast Cares volunteers will embark on the Comcast Cares 2018 Jackson Zoo Beautification project.   Comcast volunteers of all ages will be assisting with spring cleaning tasks, like washing public spaces and fixtures. A few will be specifically focused in the area of the on-site veterinary hospital, and another anticipated project will be the building of picnic benches for public use in shaded areas throughout the zoo.    In addition, the Comcast Foundation is making a monetary donation on behalf of each volunteer that signs up. This provides much needed financial assistance as well as time, skills, and service to many of these family-oriented and educational non-profits.   “We are so pleased by Comcast’s joining our Zoo Crew and Zoo Teens for the day,” said Jackson Zoological Society Executive Director Beth Poff. “Volunteers are a necessity to an organization like the Jackson Zoo, and this particular day of service will allow our staff to move forward in other project areas sooner than anticipated. The Comcast family is enabling the Jackson Zoo family to further our mission of quality animal care, education, and conservation.”   Volunteer opportunities for April 21st, and the preceding week, are still available by registering online, emailing Volunteer Coordinator Stacy Crain, or calling at 601.352.2580 ext 240.    Read more about Comcast Cares and the Comcast Foundation in the official Comcast NBCUniversal press release..
By EJ Rivers, ago

Belhaven University and Jackson Zoo Expand Their Educational Partnership

Belhaven and Jackson Zoo sign a Memorandum of Understanding on December 1

Jackson, Miss.—  Belhaven University and the Jackson Zoological Society, Inc., proudly announced the continuation and expansion of their long-term partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday, December 1st. Members of both organizations came together at the Gertrude C. Ford Education Center at the Jackson Zoo to celebrate their ongoing educational relationship.

 

Per the memorandum, staff and students of the Jackson Zoo and Belhaven University “will develop and expand a framework of cooperation to develop mutually beneficial programs, projects, and activities.” Their partnership will promote, encourage, explore, and share information and resources at both organizations. The expansion will focus on all aspects of education, blending science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and conservation of wildlife and the environment in formal and informal settings.

 

“We are so pleased to be a part of such a tremendous opportunity for both our staff and students,” said Dr. Roger Parrott, President of Belhaven University. “The Jackson Zoo is such an important resource. Visiting the zoo is not just about entertainment, it is an educational treasure.”

 

Belhaven University has agreed to open their campus to zoo staff and students, share research and new technologies and information, and promote the zoo’s educational and conservational messages and programs. The Jackson Zoo Education Department will allow Belhaven staff and students training and research opportunities on zoo grounds, as well as access to information and programs for staff and students to aid their educational gains.

 

Beth Poff, Executive Director of the zoo, said, “The Jackson Zoological Society is thrilled to formalize the partnership already underway with Belhaven University. Making use of our facilities for formal and informal science and technology is something that we are especially proud of.”

 

The Jackson Zoo is dedicated to wildlife care and conservation, and Belhaven University provides a Christian liberal arts education focused on life and leadership. The two also share a strong foundation in the life sciences and technological advances that can benefit both human and animal experience. In fact, Belhaven students were integral to a water-quality study over the past two years (lead by educators Dr. Reid Bishop and Dr. Elizabeth Brandon), which was an important source of information for animals and guests during an emergency water situation in 2017, providing important data that helped the zoo’s conservation efforts.

 

For more information about Belhaven University, contact David Sprayberry, Public Relations, at dsprayberry@belhaven.edu.

By EJ Rivers, ago

St. Dominic Health Services Joins Experience Zoo! for Jackson Fire Department and MS National Guard

October 5, 2017  Jackson, Miss.—  The Jackson Zoo is proud to announce the expansion of their partnership with St. Dominic Health Services to include the Experience Zoo! Initiative. On Tuesday, October 10th, staff of St. Dominic’s will donate annual family zoo passes to commanders of the Jackson Fire Department and the Mississippi National Guard. The Jackson Zoo will host the ceremonial transfer at 3:00 p.m. in front of their Admissions and Gift Shop at 2918 West Capitol Street in Jackson.

St. Dominic’s has been a long term supporter of annual family events at the zoo like Dream Night, Ice Cream Safari, Boo at the Zoo, and Zoo Party Unleashed, and this is their first donation to the Experience Zoo! Initiative. Through this program, businesses and organizations can purchase year-long family memberships and donate them to local military and first responders. Families of those in public service traditionally face high levels of daily stress and uncertainty under lowered financial circumstances, and can benefit from regular access to the relaxed, neutral zoo setting to unwind and reconnect. Jackson Zoo members also receive discounts on educational zoo programs, admission to other participating zoos and attractions, and dining in at select local restaurants.

“I believe that our zoo and its natural scenery creates moments of wonder, joy, and laughter throughout the year for all families, but it can be especially helpful those who dedicate their lives to the service of others,” said Jackson Zoo Director of Development Paul Griffin Jones III (Trey). “We felt compelled to go beyond flying flags and putting signs in yards, returning the love and appreciation in a tangible way. That is what the Experience Zoo! Initiative is really all about.”

“St. Dominic’s is a great example of what it means to be a community partner,” said Jackson Zoo Executive Director Beth Poff. “They do so much for so many, and often out of the spotlight. We look forward to publicly acknowledging their faithful friendship, and deep commitment to caring.”

Staff members of St. Dominic’s, The Jackson Zoo, the City of Jackson Fire Department, and the Mississippi National Guard will be on hand to answer questions after the membership presentation. For more information about Experience Zoo!, contact Jackson Zoo Director of Development Jones at 601-352-2580 ex 225 or tjones@jacksonzoo.org.

 

Download PDF form

By EJ Rivers, ago