Listed below are some positions in zoos and aquariums and a brief description of duties. Not all positions are found in all facilities, and responsibilities often vary.

• Director/Chief Operating Officer:
  Executes policies as directed by the governing authority. Responsible for the institution’s operation and plans for future development.
• Assistant Director:
  Assists the director and assumes charge in the director’s absence.
• Finance Manager/Director:
  Manages the institution’s finances, including payment of bills, purchasing, investments, and the preparation of financial statements.
• General Curator:
  Oversees an institution’s entire animal collection and animal management staff. Responsible for strategic collection planning.
• Animal Curator:
  Manages a certain portion of an institution’s animal collection (i.e. mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, etc).
• Veterinarian:
  Responsible for the healthcare program for the animal collection and the maintenance of health records.
• Veterinary Technician:
  Assists the veterinarian and provides care to the animals under the supervision of the veterinarian. 
• Registrar:
  Maintains computer records on the animal collection and applies for permits and licenses to hold or transport animals.
• Curator/Coordinator/Director of Research:
  Supervises research projects, serves as  liaison between the institution and the academic community, publishes articles in scientific journals.
• Curator/Coordinator/Director of Conservation:
  Oversees the institution’s conservation activities, including field projects. Serves as liaison with government wildlife agencies and other conservation organizations.
• Conservation Biologist/Zoologist:
  Provides scientific and technical assistance in the management of the animal collection and assists in conducting various research or field conservation projects.
• Head Keeper/Aquarist:
  Supervises a section or department of the institution; provides training and scheduling for keepers.
• Senior Keeper/Aquarist:
  Provides primary animal care for a department.
• Keeper/Aquarist:
  Provides daily care to the institution’s animals, including diet preparation, cleaning, general exhibit maintenance, and record keeping.
• Operations Director/Manager:
  Responsible for the daily operation of the institution’s physical plant and equipment.
• Curator of Exhibits:
  Creates exhibits and assists in the design of graphics.
• Curator of Horticulture:
  Responsible for the botanical collection and its application to the animal collection, as well as daily maintenance of the institution’s grounds.
• Curator of Education:
  Plans and implements the institution’s education programs.
• Public Relations/Affairs Manager/Director:
  Promotes the institution, its mission, and its programs to the public via the media.
• Development Director/Officer:
  Develops and manages fundraising activities which can include writing grant proposals and attracting corporate sponsors, as well as soliciting private donations.
• Marketing Director/Manager:
  Creates advertising campaigns and other activities to increase public awareness of the institution.
• Special Events Manager/Coordinator:
  Develops and implements events to attract visitors throughout the year.
• Membership Director/Manager:
  Responsible for maintaining and increasing institution memberships for families and individuals and designing special events for members only. May also be in charge of “adopt-an-animal” programs to raise funds.
• Gift Shop Manager:
  Manages staff and all aspects of gift shop operation from buying products to designing shops.
• Visitor Services Manager:
  Supervises the staff and facilities that cater to the visiting public including concessions and restrooms.
• Personnel Manager/Director:
  Responsible for all personnel matters including payroll, insurance, and tax matters.
• Volunteer Coordinator:
  Responsible for recruiting and maintaining a staff of volunteers/docents. Duties include scheduling docents for on- and off-grounds activities and keeping docents abreast of new developments to relate to the public.
• Docent/Volunteer:
  Duties may include diet preparation, small animal care, teaching educational programs, leading group tours, and staffing special events. 
• Junior Keeper:
  Some institutions offer a summer program for high school students who wish to volunteer in a zoo or aquarium setting. Duties are often similar to those of other volunteers, but they are supervised much more closely.