Position: Area Supervisor Aquatics
Department: Ectotherm
Supervisor: Assistant Curator of Ectotherm
Nashville Zoo Mission:
Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.
Why Work with Us:
At Nashville Zoo, we believe in taking care of our team just as well as we care for our animals. Full-time employees enjoy a robust benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and future:
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage – including medical, dental, and vision plans to keep you and your family healthy.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential support services for mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching – helping you build a secure future while you make a meaningful impact today.
- Generous paid time off and sick leave – because rest and recovery are vital.
- Exclusive zoo perks – enjoy discounts on park experiences, retail, and food services, plus complimentary membership benefits.
- A collaborative and inclusive culture – be part of a diverse team where your voice matters, your growth is nurtured, and collaboration thrives across all departments.
- AZA-accredited facility – Nashville Zoo is committed to top-tier animal care, ethics and global conservation efforts.
Description: Under limited supervision, employee will serve as the Area Supervisor of the Aquatics Department at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. Primary responsibility is to supervise keeper staff and participate in the general care of assigned collection animals and work on conservation initiatives; maintain exhibits, perform light exhibit construction; operate zoo vehicles; maintain integrity of existing graphics and exhibits. Employee will be responsible for ensuring that all supplies and needs for their areas (ordering feed products, acquisition of tools and cleaning supplies etc.) are ordered by them or informing the appropriate staff member of the need. Employee will generate appropriate work requests; supervise and coach assigned staff; remain a positive role model for the keeper staff/keeper associate setting an example in their daily work. Area supervisors are full-time working supervisors and are required to know all aspects of the day-to-day activities of their assigned areas. They must be proficient in conflict resolution when dealing with staff as well as the general public. Employee will be responsible for educating the public on the Aquatics Departments animal collection and providing a friendly, safe and clean atmosphere for families to enjoy the Nashville Zoo. In Addition, the successful candidate will represent the zoo at meetings and will help direct Aquatics departmental conservation initiatives which currently include a population monitoring program funded by USFWS for the federally endangered Nashville Crayfish and our AZA-FRTRP coral conservation facility. The successful candidate will work closely with the Herpetology Supervisor and the LSS manager.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Animal Husbandry
- Prepare food and water for collection animals by cutting and measuring diet portions
- Feed collection animals
- Maintain regular and reliable attendance
- Maintain professional conduct at all times and consistently model the organization’s values in all interactions with colleagues, guests, and stakeholders.
- Monitor assigned animals closely with regard to general appearance, diet consumption levels, condition of fecal matter, etc.
- Maintain feed intake records
- Maintain water quality log books
- Record daily observations pertaining to the health and behavior of Aquatics Department animals on a Daily Report to be submitted to the Curator
- Clean animal exhibits, and service areas
- Participate in capturing, incapacitating, and moving animals
- Assists Veterinarian staff in the treatment of collection animals
- Provide exhibit security and take appropriate actions to prevent vandalism and maltreatment of animals and facilities by the public.
- Participate and train direct reports in basic animal conditioning techniques.
Maintenance
- Clean and disinfect utensils, work tools, and containers.
- Maintain high standards of exhibit appearance and plant life in and around enclosures.
- Perform minor or routine maintenance of enclosures and report all other maintenance needs to supervisors.
- Operate a variety of light and medium equipment.
Public Education
- Coordinate daily keeper talks designed to educate the public on the Aquatics Department animal collection.
- Respond to questions from the public concerning the animals and exhibits.
- Model the Zoos image and code of professional ethics in words and actions at all times.
Skills:
Thorough knowledge of:
- Aquatic animal behavior, Life support systems, water quality.
- Ability to self-direct work tasks while ensuring safety and productivity.
- Coral care and propagation.
- Care, feeding, and handling of aquatic fish and invertebrates.
- Safety practices around exotic animals.
- Animal biology or zoology or other related fields.
- Techniques for restraining and capturing exotic and domestic animals
- Zoo policies and procedures.
- Personnel management.
- Animal conditioning.
Capable of:
- Completely performing the responsibilities outlined in the Duties and Responsibilities section.
- Monitoring animal behavior and appearance.
- Operating motorized vehicles and equipment; applicant must possess a valid driver's license.
- Following work instructions.
- Working in a team-oriented atmosphere.
- Effectively communicating with coworkers and supervisors.
- Interacting and communicating with the general public in an appropriate manner.
- Supervising, training, and mentoring assigned staff.
- Making unbiased and non-judgmental decisions when dealing with direct reports.
Physical Requirements:
- The role requires frequently standing and walking for most of an 8–10‑hour shift and regularly bend, kneel, reach, and perform repetitive motions while cleaning habitats, preparing diets, and providing enrichment.
- The role requires frequently lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lbs and occasionally up to 75 lbs with assistance, as well as navigating ladders, stairs, uneven terrain, and wet or slippery surfaces.
- Strong hand dexterity, clear verbal communication, and adequate vision and hearing are essential to safely observe animals, operate tools and gates, and use radios.
- Work occurs indoors and outdoors year‑round in all weather, with routine exposure to animal dander, hay, dust, insects, loud noises, strong odors, and cleaning agents.
- Employees may encounter biological hazards, zoonotic diseases, and potentially dangerous animals and must follow established protocols for shifting, feeding, and emergency response.
- The role may require wearing PPE such as gloves, protective footwear, eye and hearing protection, and respirators as assigned.
- Schedules often include early mornings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime based on animal needs.
- Depending on assignments, a valid driver’s license and ability to operate facility vehicles may be required.
- Vaccinations, TB testing, or respirator fit testing may be necessary per policy.
- The role must learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete task independently, and make timely decisions in the context of a workflow.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Education:
Must have a BS in zoology, animal biology, animal husbandry or related field and/or at least two years of work experience at a zoological facility or any equivalent combination of training and experience, which provides the required work skills, knowledge, and abilities.
Special Note:
May be required to work any combination of five days in the seven-day workweek including holidays.
Pre-employment requirements:
Nashville Zoo is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and maintains a drug-free work environment. All employment is at-will.
- All candidates are required to successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening prior to hire.
- Pre-employment and annual tuberculosis (TB) screenings are a condition of continued employment.
