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Title

Curator of Behavioral Husbandry and Ambassador Animals 

Description

This new position will join the existing dynamic curatorial team managing the animal residents, programs and staff at Woodland Park Zoo. Our current strategic plan calls for us to expand our leadership in behavioral husbandry and grow our Ambassador Animal Program. Reporting to the Director of Animal Care, this role will oversee our department-wide Behavioral Husbandry Program, enhancing animal welfare through the development and implementation of a self-sustaining, comprehensive plan focused on building staff competencies in operant conditioning and enrichment. The successful candidate will also manage our eight-member Ambassador Animal Team. We’re looking for a candidate who has at least five years of AZA experience working in these areas, preferably with three or more years of management experience. A strong working knowledge of current behavioral husbandry skills is required, along with a track record of successful mentoring of Keepers and empowering front line Managers to implement goals of the program. Experience managing ambassador animals and associated programming is preferred. Our program is growing and needs an innovative leader focused on animal welfare, safety and guest experience. The position will be involved in fundraising, media access, staff development, and all other aspects of the curatorial role. The position will work closely with the team curators and veterinarians as well as our Animal Welfare Scientist. The successful candidate will have a collaborative work style, be open-minded, and focused on leadership and bringing out the best in others.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Ensures that animal care standards are maintained at the highest level through adherence to established zoo policies and procedures, while at the same time staying within a defined budget
  • Develops, implements and oversees the behavioral husbandry program
  • Participates in collection planning, acquisition, and transfer of zoo animals, establishing and communicating care parameters for newly acquired species, and acts as spokesperson for the zoo in order to respond to questions from the media
  • Supports education mission of the zoo by teaching, writing and presenting material within technical specialty
  • Manages performance appraisals and works with People & Culture department to resolve personnel issues for direct reports
  • Makes recommandations and implements AZA conservation programs such as SSP, PMP, TAG
  • Serves as staff representative for conservation efforts
  • Takes a lead role during emergencies such as animal escapes or natural disasters
  • Identifies potential safety problems, finding ways to reduce risks and injuries
  • Authorizes modest expenditures; makes recommendations to Director of Animal Care regarding purchases and budget
  • Oversees regular staff training program for animal management staff, especially in issues relating to the care of the animal collection
  • Provides technical assistance in the planning and development of new animal exhibits, concepts and designs. Monitors impact to Animal Management operations of construction or renovation projects
  • Supports fundraising and development efforts of Zoo
  • Acts as back-up and fill-in capacity for animal care manager, performing supervisory functions of that job
  • Maintains active involvement in AZA and other professional associations
  • Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in a life sciences field from a four-year college or university; and eight years related experience and/or training including two years at a curatorial or supervisory level; or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Advanced management, technical or scientific skill related to the care of exotic animals, experience and leadership in AZA conservation and science programs.
  • Must demonstrate initiative, imagination and creativity related to animal care and wildlife conservation
  • Expertise with a broad range of animal species
  • Proven leadership and management skills
  • Working knowledge of AZA policies and procedures
  • Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community
  • Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format
  • Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors
  • Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel) and experience with ZIMS

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

  • TB Test required annually
  • Membership in the AZA at a professional level
  • Valid Washington State Driver’s License required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position may be required to lift up to 50lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position may require that the individual be available or on-call 24 hours a day. Weekend, evening, and holiday work may be required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a typical office environment and/or outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.

 
Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time  
Exempt/Non-Exempt Exempt  
Req Number ANI-19-00005  
EOE Statement Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in application and employment for any reason, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability or medical status including genetic information, and/or veteran’s status.
 

This position is currently not accepting applications.

To search for an open position, please go to http://WoodlandParkZoo.appone.com



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