San Diego Zoo
Uh oh. The San Diego Zoo hasn’t committed to creating great jobs yet.
Breakroom helps companies reach the next generation of candidates.
If you’re from head office, sign up here to get started on your Breakroom journey.
DismissThe San Diego Zoo is a zoo in San Diego, California.
zoo.sandiegozoo.orgAbout jobs at the San Diego Zoo
Pay
-
Okay
-
Only some people get paid breaks
Do workers at the San Diego Zoo get paid breaks?
Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.
How we know this
36% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
Good jobs pay you for your break time.
You should get paid for all the time you’re at work, even when you’re on break.
Good
-
Most people get paid sick leave
Does the San Diego Zoo give paid sick leave?
Yes. Most people get paid leave when they’re sick.
How we know this
73% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
Most US companies don’t have to pay you when you’re sick - only some states require it.
But we believe a good job should pay you when you can’t work because you’re sick. Everyone gets sick sometimes.
Good
-
Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
Do workers at the San Diego Zoo do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
69% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid work.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
You should be paid for all the work you do.
A good job pays you for every minute you spend working for your employer.
Hours and flexibility
-
Needs improving
-
Less than 4 weeks notice of work schedule
How far ahead of time do people find out their work schedule?
Most people find out their schedule less than four weeks ahead of time.
How we know this
- 31% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts one week or less ahead of time.
- 62% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts two weeks ahead of time.
- 8% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts three weeks ahead of time.
- 0% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts four weeks or more ahead of time.
Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
We believe your workplace should tell you your schedule at least 4 weeks ahead of time.
You need to know when you’ll be working so you can plan your life and know how much money you’ll earn.
Okay
-
Some people worry about their hours
Do workers at the San Diego Zoo worry about hours?
Some people worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
53% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
A good employer should give you the hours you need each week.
You shouldn’t have to struggle or beg for work time.
Okay
-
Only some people can choose their shifts
Do the San Diego Zoo workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get to choose which shifts they work.
How we know this
38% report that they don’t have enough control over which shifts they work.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Good
-
Easy to change shifts
How easy is it for the San Diego Zoo workers to change shifts?
Most people find it easy to change shifts.
How we know this
75% of people report that it’s easy to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
A good job works with your personal life.
It should be easy to change your schedule when you need to - both for emergencies and when you’re planning ahead.
Good
-
Easy to get time off
How easy is it to get time off at the San Diego Zoo?
Most people find it easy to get time off.
How we know this
79% of people report it’s easy to get time off.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you use your vacation time when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a hassle to arrange.
Good
-
Schedules don’t get changed at the last minute
Do the San Diego Zoo managers change schedules at the last minute?
Most managers don’t change people’s schedules at the last minute.
How we know this
100% of people say their manager doesn’t change their shift schedule at the last minute.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
If your bosses keep changing your schedule at the last minute, that shows they aren’t planning well.
Good jobs don’t switch your hours around without warning.
Good
-
Most people find it easy to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at the San Diego Zoo?
Most people find it easy to take sick leave.
How we know this
100% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes.
You should be able to stay home when you need to get better.
A good job should make it easy to take sick time and have clear steps for letting them know you’re sick.
Benefits
-
Good
-
Sick days don’t use up paid time off
At the San Diego Zoo, are sick days and vacation days separate paid time off?
Sick days and vacation days are separate paid time off.
How we know this
82% of people say their vacation days aren’t used up if they take sick leave.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
Getting sick isn’t a vacation.
You shouldn’t have to lose your time off just because you got sick or had a medical emergency.
A good job gives you separate sick days so you can rest and get better without losing your paid time off allowance.
Good
-
Most people get paid time off
Do people get paid time off at the San Diego Zoo?
Most people get paid time off work.
How we know this
92% of people say they get paid time off.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone needs time to rest and take care of life outside of work.
A good employer offers paid time off so their workers can choose when to have a break or go to appointments without worrying about losing pay.
Workplace
-
Good
-
Most people feel treated with respect
Do people at the San Diego Zoo feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
86% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
Your boss should treat you with respect.
No one at work should bully you or treat you unfairly.
If you have a problem, you should be able to talk to someone else who can help.
Good
-
Most people get breaks without interruption
Do people at the San Diego Zoo get to take their breaks without interruption?
Most people get breaks without interruption.
How we know this
86% of people report that they get to take their breaks without interruption.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. You should be able to do what you want to and not get pulled off it early.
Okay
-
Some people are stressed out
Is it stressful to work at the San Diego Zoo?
Some people feel stressed out here.
How we know this
67% of people say they often feel stressed out at work.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
Work can be hard sometimes, but you shouldn’t feel stressed all the time.
Your boss should make sure there are enough people and resources to get the work done without feeling overwhelmed.
Good
-
Most people enjoy their job
Do people at the San Diego Zoo enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
83% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Okay
-
Only some people recommend their team
Do people at the San Diego Zoo recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
35% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 17 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
The people you work with every day are important. They can make the difference between a bad day and a good one.
Good
-
Most people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at the San Diego Zoo?
Most people got enough training when they started.
How we know this
73% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should train you well from your first day, not just throw you into the deep end.
Nobody can do their job well without proper training at the start.
Okay
-
Only some people get support to advance
Do people get support to advance at the San Diego Zoo?
Only some people are given support to advance their career here.
How we know this
In the last year, 60% of people report not being given support to advance their career here.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you grow, if you want to.
This could mean getting better at your current job, learning new things, becoming a team leader, or taking on more duties.
This helps you build skills and earn more money.
Needs improving
-
Headquarters doesn't understand what's happening
Do people think the San Diego Zoo’s headquarters understands what’s happening where they work?
Most people think headquarters doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
87% of people think that this employer’s headquarters or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
In a good job, the people running the organisation should support the workers who do the hands-on work.
To do this well, they need to know what’s really happening at each location.
This is extra important when an organisation has many different sites.
Okay
-
Only some people feel well informed by headquarters
Do workers feel well informed about how the San Diego Zoo is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
57% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and July 2025.
Why this matters
A good employer shares news with all its workers.
You should know how your employer is doing - both the good news and the problems.
Managers should keep you updated about what’s happening.
San Diego Zoo job reviews
-
Best thing
The boys at rentals
Worst thing
Busy during busy seasons. Nothing too shabby. Except when it’s slow season they could cut hours majorly
Retail cashier at the San Diego Zoo, July 2025
-
Best thing
Free to do your job as you please, no micromanaging, lots of AL
Worst thing
Unpredictable call outs, understaffed, uncertainty of having enough plant material to feed out animals
Employee at the San Diego Zoo, May 2025
Handy to know
How are people paid?
Based on 17 San Diego Zoo employees
How much notice do people get of their shifts?
Based on 13 San Diego Zoo employees