ZOOLOGICAL MANAGER OF AFRICAN ANIMALS
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (CZBG) is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, sustainability, education, and community engagement. Our Mission is to create adventure, convey knowledge, conserve nature, and serve our community. We accomplish this by inspiring every visitor with wildlife every day by providing opportunities to be close enough to care. We are passionate about our commitment to Animal Excellence and succeed at this by pursuing our Core Values of: Collaborative Relationship; Positivity & Energy; Accountability, Mutual Trust & Respect; Progressive Thinking; Pride, Passion & a Sense of Ownership.
Summary: This position advances Cincinnati Zoo’s mission and values by directly supporting the Zoo’s African animal teams. These teams include our Africa section (lions, painted dogs, meerkats, hippos, giraffe, savannah birds and mammals) and Veldt Rhino Reserve (black rhino, okapi, bongo, and Grant’s zebra). The Zoological Manager will coordinate the daily operations of the specific animal areas including supervising keeper staff in husbandry, animal training, and program development and implementation. This position will encourage and support teams in raising the bar for both animal and visitor experience. Responsible for meeting quality and quantity standards for assigned area.
Essential Functions
Team Support:
- Maintains intimate knowledge of daily operations, routines, and animals. The ZM is present and available to direct reports on a daily basis.
- Supervises keeper performance and accountability through regular involvement with animal care.
- Works with the team to foster a positive, productive, supportive, and innovative atmosphere.
- Identifies and addresses team health and culture issues.
- Supports goals of individual staff and coaches professional development accordingly.
- Works proactively to communicate and problem-solve with animal care teams, cross-department zoo staff, and volunteers through in-person meetings, emails, and phone calls.
- Assists with the hiring of seasonal, temporary and FT staff.
- Understands and embodies of the Core Values and Behaviors of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Lives these on a day-to-day basis, “Modeling the Way” for others.
- Provides instruction and mentorship related to operant conditioning and program development.
- Works proactively and collaboratively with zoo staff and volunteers across departments.
Animal Management:
- Works with the team to develop, implement, manage, and evaluate all aspects of animal care, including husbandry, training, and enrichment.
- Makes recommendations regarding animal husbandry and management changes or modifications including diet changes, habitat redesign, and operational efficiencies.
- Coordinates and participates in animal medical procedures, facility projects, and research. Identifies and creates a plan to address animal behavior and health issues. Day-to-day animal status detail knowledge.
- Effectively and efficiently advises and supports the training of a variety of animals for husbandry purposes using operant conditioning techniques and positive reinforcement and building resiliency; responsible for tracking behavioral husbandry consistency and progress.
- Guides and monitors a behavior-based enrichment program ensuring opportunities to keep animals stimulated and engaged in natural behaviors; coordinate the necessary resources and departments in order to ensure habitats that enhance and support these opportunities.
- Oversees the general maintenance and ongoing furnishing, modifying and upgrading of existing or planned exhibits as appropriate. Assists in exhibit design and renovations.
- Oversees capture, restraint and transport of animals.
- Assists with animal transactions, acquisitions, dispositions, and quarantine procedures as needed.
- Assists with developing and updating all departmental documents including, but not limited to, species-specific SOPs and guidelines, breeding and rearing protocols, and training plans.
- Contributes to development of department’s annual collection plan and budget.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Oversees Payroll, Work Order, and Purchase Order approval
- Assists curator in development of annual operating plan and implements plan.
- Responsible for ensuring compliance with all zoo, local, state, and federal laws/guidelines regarding acquisition, maintenance, health, shipment and welfare of the collection. Ensures compliance with AZA accreditation standards and USDA Animal Welfare Act.
- Supports a variety of guest experience, corporate event, and on-site and off-site educational programs, including media and special events.
- Represents CZBG to the community in a professional and positive manner.
- May be called on to represent the zoo to external donor, community, scientific, and government groups
- May attend regional, national or international conferences
- Complies with all zoo policies and performs other supportive duties as needed.
- Other duties as assigned to maintain efficient and quality zoo operations.
Qualifications
- Four-year degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Environmental Education, Education or related field preferred; or Associate’s degree and commensurate experience.
- Successful candidates are likely to have at least 4 years of experience in African large mammal and carnivore management; and at least 2 years of experience in a supervisory position.
- Comprehensive experience with managing animal introductions, mixed species exhibits, breeding, and parturition. Experience with ungulates and carnivores preferred.
- Comprehensive knowledge of animal behavior and natural history; behavior-based enrichment, operant conditioning, biology and related subjects.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to adapt to a changing work environment and handle multiple assignments simultaneously.
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems efficiently and the ability to make quick decisions during animal emergencies.
- Ability to work with and be comfortable around potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species.
- Strong written skills, including record keeping.
- Proficiency in computer use including word processing, data entry and analysis, and PowerPoint.
- Clear driving record.
- Demonstrated affinity for the Mission of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
Physical Demands
The physical demands for this position involve light lifting under 25lbs and also requires carrying, pushing, pulling, and occasional heavy lifting up to 50lbs. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk and listen. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, reach, stoop, or kneel. The position requires both mental and visual concentration.
Work Environment
This position requires a substantial amount of contact with staff, volunteers, and other departments. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions and may be occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and chemicals. This employee will be required to have contact with animals and may be exposed to zoonosis. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Position Details: This position is full-time, overtime-exempt, and is eligible for the Zoo’s benefit programs for non-union employees. We offer a comprehensive benefits package in support of our employees’ Total Well-Being including affordable medical, dental & vision coverage; free mental health counseling and coaching, 401(k) plan with company match; flexible spending accounts; generous paid time off banks; company-paid disability & life insurance; park discounts and free passes.
To Apply:Cover letter and resume should be attached to your online application. Applications are being reviewed as they are received, so please apply soon!
We strive to be an organization that is diverse and reflects the fullness of society. With a strongly held value for an organizational culture characterized by inclusion and belonging, we are committed to equity in all we do. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to our organization’s diversity and who want to walk alongside us in our commitment to inclusion and equity. We are an Ellequate-certified leader in Workplace Equity.
