Assistant Curator of Animal Care (Hoofstock, Birds, Ambassadors)

How to Post Jobs

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, Related Facilities, Commercial Members, Conservation Partners and Society Partners may post free unlimited online job listings as a member benefit. Non-members can purchase job listings. How to post a job

Career Center

Interested in a career in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums? Learn more about types of zoo and aquarium jobs and relevant education programs in our career center.

Central Florida Zoo

Central Florida Zoo

Assistant Curator of Animal Care (Hoofstock, Birds, Ambassadors)

Under the supervision of the General Curator, the Assistant Curator of Animal Care will assist in the care of the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens' animal collection and animal care staff. The Assistant Curator will collaborate on all aspects of animal care, all aspects of animal care staff, and animal habitat design and renovations. This individual will serve as a liaison to other Zoo departments and outside organizations. This position reports to the General Curator.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Assistant Curator must be able to perform all the essential job duties listed below; however, this list is not intended to be all inclusive of the specific tasks that an employee in this position may be expected to perform.

• Be an ambassador for the Zoo at all times.
• Supervise and ensure the care and welfare of the animal collection, including the animal wellbeing program.
• Assist with the supervision of animal enrichment and operant conditioning programs.
• Be the liaison as needed, between to the Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator, management, area staff, and other zoo professionals to ensure successful implementation of welfare, enrichment, operant conditioning programs, and animal transfers, and share relevant information regarding operational or procedural changes in the area and/or the zoo.
• Provide supervision, guidance, and leadership to the Senior keepers, and Zookeepers in the Animal Care Department.
• Foster a culture of growth and provide encouragement through coaching, training, mentoring and professional development.
• Hire and supervise department personnel and ensure staff training.
• Document staff performance throughout the year, using corrective action where needed, and collaborate on staff's annual performance evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with zoo policies and assist in development and implementation of department/area policies, procedures, presentations, plans and reports
• Assist with the managed breeding and husbandry in compliance with SSP and AZA requirements.
• Review daily records for accuracy and assist in department record-keeping by maintaining daily keeper logs, individual care charts, census forms, enrichment calendars, and weekly reports to ensure consistent, professional communications regarding all aspects of the collection''s maintenance. Compile reports as needed.
• Collaborate with the General Curator to monitor animal transactions and coordinate with Animal Care staff to ensure legal compliance with local, state, federal and international laws, government regulations and industry-specific standards.
• Communicate with the Veterinarian staff to ensure optimal health care for the animal residents and assist in examinations.
• Collaborate with senior management and other departments on research and development of habitat designs and renovation, and identify, submit and prioritize work orders and projects in the area.
• Liaise with stakeholders including Horticulture, Facilities, Security and contractors to plan work and address animal and staff issues.
• Participate in the Acquisition and Disposition committee.
• Participate in AZA and other appropriate professional associations in an effort to develop and set standards for animal management and continually elevate the level of professionalism for the Assistant Curator of Animal Care position.
• Partner and communicate with other departments to support integrated initiatives to help institutional goals.
• Create opportunities, train staff, and deliver encounters through tours, chats and other means to positively engage guests.
• Develop and nurture professional relationships with all zoo staff.
• Adhere to all Central Florida Zoo Policies and Procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Experience Required

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • Must have at least three years of management experience. • Must have a minimum of five years of progressive Hoofstock, Birds and Ambassador Animal husbandry experience, preferably in an AZA institution, demonstrating knowledge of animal husbandry, enrichment and exhibition for a variety of taxa. • Must be able to take the lead role in the absence of higher management during emergencies, and be able to cope with stressful situations, e.g., the recapture of escaped animals or emergency assistance to guests as directed. • Must have proven knowledge and application of AZA or similar accrediting standards and USDA requirements. • Must have proven ability to enhance the team's knowledge and skills to provide professional animal care. • Knowledge of venomous species handling and protocols is a plus. • Must have the ability and skill to carry out supervisor responsibilities for a team of 20+ and remain in compliance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. • Must have knowledge and skills to interview, hire, and train employees, including planning, assigning, and directing work, appraising performance, and rewarding and disciplining employees. • Must be able to address complaints and resolve problems, both within and outside of the department. • Knowledge of the laws regulating animal acquisition, disposition, exhibition, husbandry standards and transportation within the U.S. and abroad is desirable. • Must be familiar with exotic animal permitting procedures. • Must possess excellent people and communication skills, both written and verbal. • Must have a general knowledge of collection management principles. • Must have knowledge of AZA cooperative animal management programs, such as studbooks, SSPs, TAGs, etc. • Should be proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and ZIMS. • Must have the ability to manage time effectively, multi-task, and delegate as needed. • Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including weekdays, weekends, holidays and evenings. • Must provide a negative drug test result. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: • A bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, records management or other related field or equivalent experience is required, or a minimum of five years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. • Knowledge of and experience with the Zoo Information Management System (ZIMS) is strongly preferred.

Salary

45K - 55K

How to Apply

Send your resume and cover letter to Animalcarejobs@centralfloridazoo.org and HR@centralfloridazoo.org

No phone calls, please.

Central Florida Zoo

Sanford, FL 32771

Phone: 4073234450

Fax: Central Florida Zoo

Visit our website

@Central Florida Zoo

Like us on Facebook

Return to All Job Posts

Edit your job posting

General Settings

• Title (limited to 100 characters)

• Description

• Add details about the job itself here.

• Experience

• Comments

• Salary

• Category Type

• Internship Job

How should a candidate apply?

• Example: the mailing address, email address, fax number or website the applicant should use to apply.

Job Perks

*

Company Info

• Company Name

• Address

• City

• State

• Please Select Alberta Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas British Columbia California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Manitoba Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska New Brunswick Newfoundland Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Northwest Territories North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Nova Scotia Nunavut Ohio Oklahoma Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania Prince Edward Island Puerto Rico Quebec Rhode Island Saskatchewan South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Yukon

• Zip

• Company Phone

• Company Fax

• Company Website

• Company Twitter Username

• Company Facebook Page

• About the Company

• Company Logo/Avatar

• Submitting your job posting...