Summary:
It is the responsibility of this position to lead and participate in complex work while overseeing staff and maintenance of a variety of animals and buildings within the Zoo with a special focus on ectothermic species; to assist veterinary staff as needed; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of oversight.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Maintain a positive team environment alongside supervisor peers and curators to oversee facilities, animals, staff, and conservation initiatives while providing optimal animal care and unique visitor experiences
• Coordinate with supervisors and produce weekly staff work schedules, making sure all areas are adequately staffed, venomous coverage is adequate, and all scheduled keeper/visitor interactions are performed
• Communicate regularly with peers to oversee all staff and building operations; provide adequate supervisor coverage when other managers are absent
• Properly maintain building systems, monitor equipment/vehicles, and submit maintenance orders as needed
• Maintain inventory/ordering of building supplies, equipment, live food cultures, and food items
• Ensure exhibits are pristine, interactive exhibits and electronics are functional, and public walkways are free of clutter and safety hazards
• Conduct daily checks on all animal enclosures, paying special attention to feed cards, log sheets, general body condition and behavior of animal, cleanliness of enclosures, and general environmental parameters
• Ensure keeper work areas are clean and supplied with appropriate equipment and building areas are kept free of clutter and debris
• Implement regular maintenance schedule for all life support system (LSS) functions and filter changes and backwashes are performed as scheduled
• Maintain standards and testing as directed in aquatic and terrestrial areas and ensure SOPs are current
• Work with curators, veterinary/nutritional services, and staff to implement quarantine protocols, administer medical treatments, monitor health cases, and provide optimal welfare of animals
• Train and oversee new staff as directed and assign appropriate duties; participate in venomous/dangerous animal training
• Monitor work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques and compliance with applicable standards and specifications
• Assign or provide appropriate back-up coverage as needed
• Verify staff are maintaining adequate records and following protocols (i.e., daily TRACKs entries; feeding; diet changes; weighing; population censuses; egg incubation/tracking; animal behavior, training and enrichment; introductions and breeding; water chemistries; health assessments/monitoring; UV lighting; LSS maintenance, etc.)
• Guide implementation of breeding plans, seasonal hibernation schedules, and record keeping in concert with curators. Provide oversight of the department’s target species breeding plans and reports
• Participate in conservation program field and research projects as requested
• Assign animal sections to keeper staff as needed and ensure research and biosecurity protocols are implemented
• Assist with animal shipments (i.e., pre-shipment testing, packing, transport, etc.)
• Report safety hazards and keep a safe work environment for employees and volunteers, maintaining area equipment, MSDS binders, and safety kit supplies
• Communicate orally with staff on a daily basis. Participate in coaching and disciplinary action of staff as needed
• Mentor staff in husbandry skills and to work efficiently and manage time appropriately
• Conduct tours and interviews as requested
• Fulfill other duties as assigned and those presented in Animal Collections Supervisor job description
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Demonstrates leadership of employees through ongoing training to include applicable laws, Zoo policies, business conduct and ethics and the provision of quality services to guests and employees supporting the highest level of program integrity.
• Exercise supervision over assigned staff and volunteers for all areas of collection care and professional conduct
• Participate in the selection, hiring, training and evaluation of staff
• Monitor the work environment of staff, participate in the review and implementation of disciplinary action as needed with the Curatorial and Human Resources staff
• Schedule staff; maintain up to date standard operation procedure for assigned areas
• Ensure safe working environment for staff and animals
• Demonstrates leadership of employees through ongoing training to include applicable laws, zoo policies, business conduct and ethics and the provision of quality services to guests and employees supporting the highest level of program integrity
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain zoo standards of insurability
Must possess ability to:
• Independently perform the most difficult animal care and handling duties
• Interpret, explain and enforce department policies and procedures
• Work independently in the absence of immediate supervision
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Maintain mental capacity which permits making sound decisions and using good judgment, prioritizing work activities
• Foster and maintain a cohesive team environment
Education and/or Experience:
• Must have 3 years of increasingly responsible zoo keeping experience; minimum of 1-year supervisory experience preferred
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, zoology, animal behavior, biology, ecology, psychology or related field preferred
• Specialized training in zoology or a related field desirable but not required
• Some taxa related expertise or experience may be assigned to certain categories (venomous reptile experience, experience with incubators or hand rearing)
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or or move 50 pounds, sometimes up to 75 pounds with assistance.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Team oriented environment
• Ability to work irregular hours (holidays and weekends)
• Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold and inclement weather
• Exposure to all types of inclement weather conditions
• Exposure to chemicals (cleaning, water chemicals, additives, etc.)
• Ability to work special events and functions as required
• This position may be safety sensitive
• This position may work around animals susceptible to specific diseases, thus may be subject to regular tuberculosis and rabies titer testing, and the routine use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, face masks
Disclaimer
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as a complete inventory of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.
Benefits
This is a full-time position and offers the following benefits:
• Medical and Prescription Drug (Employee Coverage 90% Employer Paid, Dependent Coverage 55% Employer Paid)
• Vision
• Dental
• Basic Life AD&D (100% Employer Paid)
• Short Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Long Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Supplemental Life
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401k
• Paid Time Off (Accrual Equivalent to 5 Weeks Per Year)
• PTO Rollover
• PTO Sell Back
• Free Zoo Membership
• Free Guest Passes
• Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission and Programs
