Job Opportunities

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities: Under general supervision is responsible for the proper care of Riverbanks animals in area of assignment.  May be assigned to any area of the animal department during any given workday. Works with carnivores, hoofstock, primates, marsupials, herps, birds and others.  Conducts husbandry duties, according to departmental guidelines, including feeding animals, cleaning, and maintaining exhibits. Monitors animal health and behavior and uses proper enrichment and animal training principles. Maintains detailed behavioral, reproductive, and medical records. Takes proper measures to ensure the security of animal enclosures. Conducts tours and presents educational programs for school groups, college-level classes, and Society members. May be involved in various AZA, conservation, and other professional activities. Works cooperatively with other departments including maintenance, horticulture, education, and events. Performs other duties as assigned. Reports to Animal Supervisor and Director of Animal Care and Welfare.

Under general supervision, is responsible for the proper care of Riverbanks animals in the area of assignment. Feeds animals, cleans, maintains, designs and constructs exhibits, works with veterinary staff to diagnose and treat diseases, and monitors animal behavior. Maintains detailed behavioral, enrichment, and reproductive records and reports. Reports to the Assistant Mammal Curator.

Education and Experience: Associates degree in Biology, Zoology or Wildlife Management; Bachelor’s degree preferred, and one to two years of experience working with zoo/exotic animals in a professional setting, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Must be able to work with a variety of co-workers and Animal Supervisors on a rotating basis.  Must be flexible and dependable.  Must be able to lift/move up to 100 pounds and work off a ladder, as needed.  Must possess or qualify for a valid S.C. driver’s license.

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities: Under general supervision is responsible for the proper care of mammals in Riverbanks’ animal collection.  Conducts husbandry duties, according to departmental guidelines, including feeding animals, cleaning, and maintaining exhibits. Monitors animal health and behavior and uses proper enrichment and animal training principles. Maintains detailed behavioral, reproductive, and medical records. Takes proper measures to ensure the security of animal enclosures. Conducts tours and presents educational programs for school groups, college-level classes, and Society members. May be involved in various AZA, conservation, and other professional activities. Works cooperatively with other departments including maintenance, horticulture, education, and events. Performs other duties as assigned. Reports to the Animal Supervisor and the Mammal Curator.

Education and Experience: Associate degree in biology, zoology, animal science or wildlife management, Bachelors preferred, and one to two years experience working with zoo/exotic animals in a professional setting, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Experience working directly with big cats, bears, and/or other carnivores preferred. Must possess or qualify for a valid SC driver's license.

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities: Under general supervision, is responsible for the proper care of Riverbanks’ reptiles and amphibians.  Conducts husbandry duties, according to departmental guidelines, including: feeding animals, cleaning, maintaining, designing, and constructing exhibits. Monitors and maintains life support and lighting systems.  Monitors animal health and behavior and uses proper enrichment and operant conditioning principles. Maintains detailed behavioral, reproductive, and medical records. Takes proper measures to ensure the security of animal enclosures. Conducts tours of the Aquarium Reptile Complex and presents educational programs for school groups, college-level classes, and Society members. May be involved in various AZA, conservation, and other professional activities. Works cooperatively with other departments including maintenance, horticulture, education, and events. Performs other duties as assigned. Reports to the Animal Supervisor and the Herpetology Curator.

Education and Experience: Associate degree in Biology, Zoology or Wildlife Management; Bachelor’s degree preferred, with two to three years’ experience as a herpetology keeper; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Previous experience working directly with reptiles in a professional setting preferred.  Must possess or be eligible for a valid SC driver's license.

Ambassador Commitment:  Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities:  Under general supervision, administers and assists in the overall operations of Riverbanks Society, especially in the areas of member and donor services. Strives to ensure excellence in service while performing daily assignments promptly, professionally, and efficiently. Coordinates and fulfills the benefits and services that serve more than 40,000 member households. Responsibilities include communicating with members and donors via phone, email and mail; processing memberships and donations by performing accurate data entry; acknowledging and fulfilling gifts and upper-level memberships; coordinating member and donor mailings; assisting with special events; and other duties as assigned. Reports to the Membership Manager.    

Education and Experience: Requires an Associates degree in Business or Liberal Arts, with a Bachelors degree in related field preferred. A minimum of three to five years’ experience in member services or fundraising is preferred or any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Must have excellent communication skills – both written and verbal.  Must be proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite and have efficient and accurate data entry skills. Requires great problem-solving and excellent customer service skills. Must be able to work independently and with a team; must demonstrate good time management, attention-to-detail, and follow-through.  

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities:  Under direct supervision, provides an outstanding experience to Riverbanks’ guests and Society members. Works in various point of sale areas throughout the park, including ticket booths, information booths and entrance gates. Handles ticket and membership purchase transactions. Communicates with the public about Riverbanks memberships, exhibits, attractions, services, and policies. Reports to the Admissions Manager and the Director of Guest Services. 

Education and Experience: High school diploma and 4-6 months of work experience in customer service or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience, which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Cashier experience, data entry and strong customer services skills are required. Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions and be able to stand for long periods of time. Must be available weekdays and available to work evening and special events as needed.

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities: Under general supervision, maintains excellence in member services through professional and courteous communication with Riverbanks members, potential members, and staff. Processes memberships and donations by performing accurate data entry and fulfillment. Provides additional clerical and administrative support for membership and giving programs, helping to maximize the efficiency of membership office operations. Reports to the Society Membership Manager. 

Education and Experience: Prefer Associates degree with previous experience in customer service and/or membership services in a nonprofit or zoo environment with proven accurate data entry skills. Must be enthusiastic, a team player and possess thorough knowledge of current computer applications with above-average typing skills. Must be able to handle multiple projects at one time. Excellent communication skills, attention to detail, prompt follow-through and accurate data entry skills are required. Prior experience in CENTAMAN and/or Raisers Edge a plus. 

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Events Manager, will be responsible for helping to ensure high quality special events and positive guest experiences through hands-on, detail-oriented tasks. Assists with the coordination and execution of all Riverbanks public and member events.

Essential Functions:

• Supports all stages of event planning and will physically assist with the setup and breakdown of all Riverbanks Signature Events.
• Maintains the ticketing database for events.
• Conducts research and reports on national and regional trends in attractions and special event production and marketing.
• Works in conjunction with the Events Technician(s) to:
• “wrap” trees with lights.
• maintain warehouse inventory.
• ensure proper lighting and audio for special events and daytime operations.
• construct, assemble, and dismantle event components and audio/visual equipment.
• prepare displays that are structurally sound and safe.
• Cooperates with other Zoo and Garden departments to facilitate event success. Cultivates and maintains a positive working environment. Effectively interacts and communicates with employees, volunteers, and various external groups/vendors.
• Helps to maintain Riverbanks’ reputation for high quality events and aesthetics to advance the mission and encourage support of the Zoo and Garden.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or HRTM preferred. Minimum of 18-24 months experience in event coordination or HRTM industry is desired; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

The ideal candidate will enjoy working within a collaborative environment and be a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority. Outstanding organization, planning, and communication (written and verbal) skills are required in this role. Must be proficient with current computer applications to include MS Office Suite. Flexible for morning, after-hours, and weekend assignments. Must be comfortable working from a ladder and on an aerial lift at significant heights. Must be able to work in all weather conditions and be able to lift at least 30 pounds. Must possess or be eligible for a South Carolina driver’s license, and eligible for certification to operate a golf cart, fork lift, and aerial lift.

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities: Serves as the Dive Safety Officer and given the objectives set by the Director of Animal Care and Welfare is responsible for the development, safety compliance, and management of all aspects of dive program operations including the dive facilities and equipment, in consideration of USDA, DHEC, AZA, and OSHA standards. This is a working dive technician position and will participate in daily dives as part of the dive team in positions of diver, tender, and designated person in charge. Will ensure a safe work environment, while understanding the operation and interpretation of technical dive equipment to include OTS Guardian Full Face Masks, compressors, fill stations, regulators, various communication control systems, etc. This position is responsible for fostering effective communication and collaboration across several departments.

Essential Functions:

• Ensures the dive program adheres to standards of all regulatory bodies
• Manages the Dive Safety Manual and in conjunction with the Dive Safety Board contributes to content, updates, and writes new protocols
• Serves as the chairperson of the Dive Safety Board
• Oversees dive training process
• Manages and maintains training & certification records for all divers
• Prepares dive equipment maintenance reports, dive logs, certification status reports
• Manages the dive emergency response program
• Creates and maintains staffing schedule for dives in conjunction with animal area supervisors
• Manages diver onboarding program

Education and Experience: Current Recreational Dive Instructor Certification from a nationally recognized organization with a minimum of three years commercial diving experience or combined scientific diving and commercial diving required.  Associate degree or higher in Marine Science, Biological Sciences, or a related field preferred. Experience as a Dive Safety Officer (DSO), Assistant Dive Safety Officer (ADSO) and work in an AZA accredited institution preferred. This job requires heavy lifting up to 70 lbs and weekend work.

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities: Under general supervision, creates connections with our guests while ensuring the safe operation of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s attractions. Will work in a variety of locations throughout the park, including but not limited to: Sky High Safari and the Wild Adventures Climbing Wall. Handles both cash and cashless point of sale transactions. Routinely performs and practices tasks such as inspections of attractions and equipment, harnessing, and emergency procedures. Will effectively make judgement calls about guest participation and communicate with the public about Riverbanks’ exhibits, attractions, services and policies. Will assist with other duties as assigned. Reports to the Attractions Supervisor.

Education and Experience: Must be at least 18 years of age with a HS diploma; 6 months of guest service work experience (preferred). Must be willing and able to interact with guests of all ages and abilities. Must demonstrate good decision-making and the ability to work well with a team and independently. Must be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions and at great heights. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and be able to stand for long periods of time.

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.  

Responsibilities: Under general supervision is responsible for the routine maintenance and upkeep of Riverbanks facilities. Works to maintain a high level of cleanliness throughout Riverbanks Zoo and Garden by following cleaning routines and responding to non-routine cleaning issues. Reports to the Environmental Services Manager.

Education and Experience: High school graduate or equivalent, with five to eleven months of experience in grounds maintenance, housekeeping, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.  Must possess a valid S.C. driver's license.

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities: Under general supervision is responsible for the timely preparation and delivery of animal diets and foods according to precise instructions and fixed schedules. Proficiently uses knives and other kitchen equipment to produce animal diets with correct weights, measures, and ingredient sizes. Handles produce, meat, fish, and a variety of other animal food items.  Ensures acceptable condition of items and rotates stock. Capable of meeting work deadlines when short-staffed.  Unloads food deliveries, delivers completed diets to animal areas in vehicles/on foot, maintains a clean and sanitary work environment.  Provides assistance and information to co-workers and keeper staff.  Reports to the Senior Technician and the Commissary Manager. 

Education and Experience: High School graduate who is at least 18 years old and possesses a valid driver’s license.  Previous kitchen/food prep experience is a plus.  Requires standing for long periods of time performing repetitive food chopping and ingredient weighing.  Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, must be willing to learn and follow instructions.  Must be a team player who can manage a large workload in a fast-paced, detail-oriented, deadline-driven work environment.  Must be able to employ basic math skills on a regular basis. Must be dependable, punctual, organized, and conscientious.  Five-day work week: 7:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.  Two consecutive days off weekly are yet to be determined, but work schedule will include Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and inclement weather days.

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities: Under general supervision is responsible for the routine maintenance and upkeep of park grounds and facilities. Works to maintain a high level of cleanliness throughout Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Operates trucks, forklift, blowers and various grounds maintenance tools to perform tasks. Reports to the Environmental Services Manager.

Education and Experience: High school graduate or equivalent, with five to eleven months of experience in grounds maintenance, housekeeping, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.  Maintains a flexible schedule. Must possess a valid S.C. driver's license.