Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until 9 January 2026 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.
Lead with Purpose. Shape Animal Care Excellence. Are you a passionate animal care leader? Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is seeking a forward-thinking, experienced Assistant Curator to lead animal care operations for a diverse, multi-taxa collection. This role is ideal for a collaborative leader who blends hands-on animal care expertise with team development, safety leadership, and strategic thinking. The position supports the Africa area that includes elephants, giraffes, rhinos, bongo, kudu, zebras, warthogs, and a few birds.
As an integral member of our leadership team, you will guide animal care staff, direct husbandry procedures, and support enrichment, welfare, and conservation initiatives for our primate collection. This is a unique opportunity to lead with impact, grow your career in zoological management, and inspire meaningful connections to wildlife among our guests.
This is a hands-on leadership role for a motivated professional ready to expand their management experience within a collaborative, mission-driven environment. You will be directly involved in the care and welfare of large, socially dynamic pachyderm and ungulate species, helping shape the future of their well-being in professionally managed care.
We value safety, inclusion, and innovation. You will work alongside dedicated professionals who care deeply about the animals they serve and the teams they support. Together, we are building a future where collaboration fuels growth, technology enhances care, and conservation guides every decision.
Help us fulfill our mission: “Connecting our communities to wildlife and wild places.” Success in this role is defined by how effectively you demonstrate the core competencies in action.
What You’ll Do...
- Animal & Wellbeing Management
- Oversee the daily care and welfare of safety-sensitive and diverse species, ensuring exceptional husbandry, enrichment, behavioral health, and social management.
- Partner with Veterinary team to monitor health, implement medical protocols, and optimize animal wellbeing.
- Behavioral & Risk Management
- Implement and enforce safety, biosecurity, and emergency response protocols for both staff and animals.
- Lead behavioral management programs to reduce stress and risk, ensuring species-appropriate training and enrichment strategies.
- People Leadership & Performance Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop animal care staff, volunteers, and interns, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive team.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and ongoing performance evaluation to promote professional growth.
- Communication & Influence
- Collaborate across departments, providing clear updates and guidance to staff, veterinary teams, and operations personnel.
- Represent the organization professionally during guest interactions, educational talks, tours, and community engagement activities.
- Safety, Compliance & Decision-Making
- Ensure strict adherence to institutional and regulatory standards, including documentation, reporting, and accreditation requirements.
- Exercise sound judgment in high-pressure or emergency situations, making decisions that prioritize safety, welfare, and operational continuity.
- Strategic Thinking & Organizational Impact
- Participate in programs, Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGS), Species Survival Plan (SSPs), studbooks, and Managed Animal Plans (MAP).
- Contribute to long-term collection planning, operational improvements, and conservation priorities, aligning daily work with organizational goals and sustainability.
What you bring...
- Ability to work a schedule of Tuesday–Saturday or as operational needs require.
- Professional Experience:
- 5 years of professional animal care experience in a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife setting, preferably across a multi-taxa collection, with progressive responsibility in husbandry, enrichment, social management, and participation in AZA programs or conservation initiatives.
- 2+ years of supervisory or team leadership experience, including mentoring, staff development, scheduling, and performance management in safety-sensitive or restricted-contact environments.
- Demonstrated experience working safely with moderate-risk and/or safety-sensitive species, with the ability to assess hazards and respond calmly in high-pressure or emergency situations.
- Experience collaborating with veterinary, behavior, and welfare teams on social introductions, transfers, medical procedures, or habitat access coordination.
- Proven ability to adhere to institutional safety, biosecurity, and emergency protocols while working with species.
- Proficient knowledge of species-specific husbandry, enrichment, and behavioral management techniques.
- Experience maintaining compliance with USDA, FWC, OSHA, AZA, and institutional standards, including safety, biosecurity, and established animal care protocols.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 and willing to learn new systems (e.g., Paycom, Paycor, PaperSave).
- Proficient using ZIMS or comparable animal records systems.
- A combination of education and experience may be considered. Candidates without a formal degree may qualify through extensive, progressively responsible experience in animal care and staff leadership.
- Pre-Employment Requirements: Candidates selected for this position must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings prior to their start date. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to ensure the safety of staff, animals, and visitors. These include:
- Verification of professional references.
- Employment history verification.
- Criminal background check.
- 5-panel drug test
- Non-DOT physical examination
- Proof of a current negative tuberculosis (TB) test.
- Documentation of required vaccinations, including rabies vaccination or titer.
A Plus...
- Education: Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Behavior, Conservation Science, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating progressive responsibility in animal care.
- 8+ years of experience overseeing or supporting team operations for large, socially complex hoof stock and pachyderm species, such as elephants, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, bongo, kudu, or warthogs, including behavioral observation, social group management, and risk mitigation in protected- or restricted-contact environments.
- Physical safety & risk management: understanding the force potential of large animals; maintaining safe distances and following protected/restricted contact procedures.
- Herd and social group management: recognizing dominance hierarchies, conflict, and interspecies interactions.
- Habitat & environmental management: rotational grazing, mixed-species habitat design, and large-scale enrichment planning.
- Equipment & infrastructure knowledge: gates, chutes, barriers, and handling tools specific to large ungulates/pachyderms.
- Behavioral management coordination: facilitating introductions, transfers, and veterinary interventions safely within herds.
- At least 3+ years in a formal supervisory or team-lead capacity, overseeing staff performance, operational safety, and area workflows.
- Experience managing budgets, resources, schedules, or operational projects.
- Demonstrated leadership and professional involvement, including mentoring and developing staff, supporting volunteers or interns, and participating in SSPs, TAGs, MAPs, or studbook programs.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- All duties must be performed in accordance with institutional safety, biosecurity, and operational protocols.
- Work in close proximity to multiple species, including large, socially complex, moderate-risk, or safety-sensitive animals, and perform tasks such as lifting, restraining, or safely interacting with animals.
- Consistently adhere to safety and biosecurity protocols, including protected/restricted contact procedures, emergency response procedures, and species-specific handling guidelines.
- Ability to remain standing or sitting for extended periods during animal care, observations, training, or administrative duties.
- Hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills required for grasping, turning, manipulating, or distributing objects of varying size and weight, including feed, enrichment items, bedding, medical equipment, and tools.
- Ability to lift, carry, and move objects up to 50 lbs safely, including feed, bedding, enrichment materials, veterinary supplies, and equipment, as required to perform essential job functions.
- Ability to climb ladders, access elevated platforms, and maneuver safely in confined or elevated enclosures, aviaries, or aquatic habitats.
- Ability to respond quickly to emergencies, including handling animals, equipment, or hazardous conditions while maintaining team and animal safety.
- Ability to walk, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, and reach to perform husbandry, cleaning, enrichment, or animal handling tasks.
- Visual acuity to read, write, monitor animal behavior, and observe environmental cues.
- Auditory acuity to hear and respond to verbal commands, team communications, alarms, and animal vocalizations for safe animal care and emergency response.
- Ability to operate motorized carts, trucks, and power tools safely in accordance with institutional policies.
- Ability to work safely in indoor and outdoor environments, including varying weather, terrain, water access, and specialized habitats.
- Ability to follow species-specific handling requirements, including restraint, enrichment, and training protocols, for the safety of staff, animals, and the public.
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.
