Facility
Houston Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Houston Zoo is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Assistant Curator of Carnivores. The successful candidate will have substantial carnivore husbandry and curatorial expertise as well as experience with the supervision and performance management of animal care staff. The Assistant Curator of Carnivores will report to a section Curator and will assume responsibility for the oversight of carnivore management programs, including husbandry, training, enrichment, exhibit development and maintenance, animal transactions, research, publication, public education, and conservation.
A strong focus on the importance of the guest experience in meeting the organizational mission and goals is required. The Carnivore Team participates in numerous meet-the-keeper talks, behind-the-scenes tours, special events, media and donor activities, and cheetah ambassador programs.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provides functional supervision, operational assistance, and technical guidance for supervisory staff in the care, maintenance, and display of domestic and exotic animals.
• Responsible for the recruitment, selection, development, evaluation, and performance management of direct reports.
• Directs, organizes, prioritizes, and schedules work assignments within section.
• Develops and ensures implementation of standard operating guidelines, safety protocols, and emergency procedures in assigned area.
• Ensures that live action and tabletop emergency drills are conducted in assigned section.
• Ensures excellence in husbandry and health of assigned animals; drives continuous improvement in animal care.
• Collaborates with curatorial, supervisory, and veterinary staff on healthcare and diet formulation; may facilitate and/or participate in medical procedures.
• Approves diet change requests.
• Facilitates regular meetings between area supervisory staff and the contact veterinarian.
• Oversees and/or ensures the training of select animals using operant conditioning techniques for the purposes of husbandry procedures, veterinary treatment, and educational presentations.
• Oversees and/or ensures environmental and behavioral enrichment; improves the quality of life of the animal collection by providing enrichment opportunities.
• Drives area collection planning, including animal acquisition and disposition; may coordinate incoming and outgoing shipments and quarantine.
• Ensures documentation of all aspects of animal management and utilizes this information for trouble-shooting and problem solving.
• Ensures that all area animal and service facilities are maintained to exceed HZI, AZA, USDA, and all other regulatory agency requirements.
• Approves and monitors the status of work requests and projects.
• Works with Facilities, Horticulture, and other departments to maintain and improve exhibits, holding areas, and guest areas.
• Participates in monthly Curators/Facilities Managers meetings.
• Participates in area capital improvement planning.
• Drives the development, implementation, and monitoring of budgets, including labor, operating expense, and travel.
• Approves requisitions for needed equipment and operating supplies.
• Serves as a technical expert in the care of domestic and exotic animals for both internal and external entities.
• May participate in or facilitate staff’s participation in AZA or other conservation or research programs for assigned species, including developing and/or implementing plans and strategies to enhance the preservation of species ex situ or in situ.
• Appropriately participates in professional, industry, or conservation activities.
• Works closely with internal and external departments and groups to coordinate team participation in operational assistance, presentations, tours, and animal experiences for a wide variety of events, media opportunities, and VIP groups.
• Ensures team support of the overall goals of the Zoo, including the guest experience and revenue generation, while maintaining the highest standards of animal care.
• Prepares or assists with the preparation of content for publication or presentation in both professional and informal education forums, including the Zoo’s quarterly magazine, website, or on-grounds signage.
• Participates in bi-weekly Curators’ and bi-weekly Vet/Curator meetings.
• May provide direct animal care as needed.
• Performs other duties as requested/assigned.
SUPERVISION:
This position reports to a Section Curator and directly supervises a Carnivore Supervisor and team of Keepers and Senior Keepers.
PHYSICAL EFFORT/SKILL:
This position may require moderate physical effort on a daily basis such as walking, bending, stooping, repetitive motions, or standing for long periods. This position may require the ability to make coordinated gross motor movements in response to changing external stimuli within moderately demanding tolerances.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
There are routine exposures to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture, or inclement weather. This position may involve exposure to zoonotic disease, chemical substances or physical trauma of a minor nature. This individual may be required to work around potentially dangerous animals. Annual tuberculosis testing and vaccination for rabies or other zoonotic diseases may be required.
The work schedule for this position may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
PUBLIC CONTACT:
This position involves extensive contact with the public, donors, Zoo Members, and the media, requiring excellent interpersonal skills and an appreciation for the importance of guest service.
Education and Pre-requisites
• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology, animal husbandry, or related field is required; additional experience may be considered in lieu of up to two years of formal education.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field is a plus.
• A minimum of seven years of experience in an AZA or equivalent facility, with demonstrated expertise with the relevant groups of animals; at least two of those years being in a supervisory capacity.
• Strong interpersonal, team-building, and communication skills. Must possess the ability to effectively partner with other departments and all levels of staff and interact with a diverse workforce.
• Strong organizational and computer skills, including experience with budget development and monitoring and Microsoft Office and animal record keeping software applications.
• Valid Texas driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 60 days of employment.
Compensation and benefits
Not specified.
Application instructions
Applicants can visit www.houstonzoo.org/careers to download an application
E-mail resume and completed application to careers@houstonzoo.org
Houston Zoo is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer