Facility
Nashville Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Position: Area Supervisor Aquatics
Department: Ectotherm
Supervisor: Ectotherm Curator
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
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.
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:
Must be able to work outside year-round under typical Tennessee weather conditions and temperatures for extended periods of time. Must be able to work in uneven terrain with exposure to varying weather conditions, dust, and allergens. Must be able to move about on slippery surfaces, handle toxic and hazardous materials and work in cramped and confined spaces. Must be able to lift and carry materials up to 50 pounds.
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.
Education and Pre-requisites
Not specified.
Compensation and benefits
Not specified.
Application instructions
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=94604&clientkey=AC4F4714184226FB5288AB0BE0259814