Reptile Gardens®
A Great Place to Work

We get many requests for information about the availability of jobs at Reptile Gardens. Hopefully this page will answer most of your questions.

Most people want to work at a zoo because they want to work with animals. Alas, the majority of the jobs at Reptile Gardens are seasonal, and not in the area of animal care, but in Customer contact.

The staff at Reptile Gardens is very proud of being one of the first businesses in South Dakota to receive the Governor's Great Service Award for "Outstanding Commitment to Hospitality and Education in the Visitor Industry." To that end, we are always looking for friendly people.

Reptile Gardens is open to the public from April 1, through December 31. Our busy season is from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In the summer we employ 60 to 75 people, most of whom, as said, work with our Guests and have little direct contact with the animals. During April, May, September, and October we employ fewer people, but do occasionally need staff. From November through March, our permanent staff of 20 is able to handle all the work to be done.

SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT: If you are interested in seasonal work at Reptile Gardens please feel free to contact us. Openings each season depend on how many of the previous season's staff return; most people work several, if not many, years with us. We do the majority of our hiring for the upcoming season in March and April. We do sometimes have job-share opportunities, although most of our positions are relatively full-time through the summer.

Note to Out-of-State Applicants:
We do not mail out applications and do not hire without a personal interview; however, if you plan to be in the area we can arrange an interview with you. If you are in the area at some time other than March or April, we can often arrange to meet with you if you contact us well in advance. We are always delighted to employ people from out-of-state and have had seasonal staff members from all 50 states.

Keep in mind that we do not offer dormitories or other housing and rent in this area can be relatively high. Many of our out-of-town staff members have been able to live with Rapid City area family or friends while working here.

So, if you are between the ages of 15 and 95, are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and do not have plans for any summer absences, please contact us for an interview.

Call 342-5873 or 1-800-335-0275 between the hours of 9am and 3pm Mountain time or write us: Virginia Garrigan, Personnel Director
Black Hills Reptile Gardens, Inc
Box 620 Rapid City, SD 57709
virg@reptilegardens.com