Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until 7 December 2025 and/or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to close the posting early if a well-qualified candidate pool has been established. Early submission is encouraged. Please ensure that your application highlights your experience and qualifications as they relate to the responsibilities of this role.
Are you passionate about primates and animal care leadership? Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is seeking an Assistant Curator of Mammals to join our Life Sciences team! This exciting role supports the Primate Forest, overseeing our resident animals that include bonobos, gorillas, mandrills, colobus monkeys, and a variety of lemur species.
As an integral member of our team, you’ll help guide animal care staff, direct husbandry procedures, and contribute to the ongoing enrichment, welfare, and conservation of our incredible primates. This is a unique opportunity to lead with impact, develop your career in zoological management, and help inspire a connection to wildlife for our visitors.
This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for a motivated individual ready to expand their management experience within a collaborative, mission-driven environment. You’ll be directly involved in the care and welfare of highly intelligent and socially complex primate species, helping shape the future of their well-being in professionally managed care.
What You’ll Do
- Oversee the daily care, health, and wellbeing of mammals in assigned areas, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare and behavioral enrichment.
- Support the development of habitats, safety protocols, and animal management procedures that meet or exceed AZA accreditation standards.
- Collaborate on Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recommendations, acquisitions, and dispositions in coordination with other accredited institutions.
- Participate in conservation and research initiatives that advance understanding and protection of endangered species.
- Assist in budget management, resource planning, and implementing cost-effective operational practices without compromising quality.
- Support education and outreach efforts by engaging with guests, schools, and community organizations to inspire connections with wildlife.
- Partner with facilities and design teams on habitat improvements and long-term collection planning.
People & Management
- Lead by example, promoting a culture of collaboration, accountability, and inclusion within the team.
- Provide daily guidance and mentorship to animal care staff, supporting professional development and performance growth.
- Communicate clearly and consistently across teams to align priorities, share progress, and resolve challenges.
- Manage schedules, approve timecards, coordinate time-off, and maintain accurate documentation for assigned teams.
- Ensure budget and headcount adherence while identifying opportunities for operational efficiency.
What you bring...
- Ability to work a schedule: Sunday – Thursday.
- Applied Animal Care Experience: At least 5 years of hands-on experience in animal welfare, demonstrating adherence to professional and industry management standards.
- AZA Expertise: Knowledge of studbook processes, animal husbandry, and species-specific natural history, ensuring the highest standards of care and contribution to conservation programs.
- Animal Management & Compliance: Experience with adherence to animal management guidelines, including AZA standards, animal exhibition, and federal and state laws governing animal exhibition.
- Animal Enrichment & Welfare: Experience with animal enrichment, training, social management, and familiarity with animal rights and welfare theory.
- Leadership & People Skills: Strong leadership grounded in empathy, adaptability, and integrity, with a minimum of 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role guiding and developing animal care teams. Skilled in resource allocation, conflict de-escalation, and problem-solving in dynamic environments.
- Communication & Collaboration: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across all levels of the organization, fostering teamwork and collaboration.
- Strategic & Operational Mindset: Ability to plan ahead, execute effectively, and manage multiple priorities with detail-oriented organizational and time management skills.
- Safety & Compliance: Knowledge and ability to properly use personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow all safety protocols when working with animals, chemicals, equipment, or habitats.
- Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word), with a willingness to learn other systems such as Paycor, Paycom, PaperSave, and Zims.
- Commitment to Mission & Culture: Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission, with a strong dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and fostering a positive workplace culture.
A Plus...
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or a related field
- Experience within an AZA facility, zoo, and/or aquarium with exotic resident animals.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Availability to accommodate a flexible schedule, including extended hours, holidays, weekends, and a willingness to share on-call duties.
- Availability to fulfill disaster-response duties and responsibilities, including clean up.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.
- Ability to remain standing/sitting for extended periods.
- Requires hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for tasks such as grasping, turning, and manipulating objects of varying size and weight.
- Ability to walk, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, and reach.
- Requires visual acuity for reading, writing, and observing surroundings, and auditory acuity for communication.
- Ability to operate motorized carts, trucks, and power tools.
WORK CONDITIONS
- Exposure to various weather conditions, including extreme heat, sunlight, cold, rain, and wind.
- Potential exposure to allergens (dust, animal dander, pollen, etc.), bloodborne pathogens, zoonotic diseases and injuries from animals.
- Irregular work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays are required.
- Exposure to hazards such wildlife, waste, equipment, loud noises, chemicals, and heights.
- May require being on call for emergencies.
- Must be available to fulfill disaster-response duties as required.
- May Handle remote darting equipment or weapons.
We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations
EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens are committed to providing equal employment opportunities. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role. Candidates are encouraged to request accommodation if needed during the application, interview, or employment process.
