Facility
Oregon Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Position summary
Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today and tomorrow. We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits program.
Oregon Zoo is hiring for a collaborative leader for the Ambassador Animal team. This role will oversee animal presentations ranging from large summer stage programming to smaller, more casual engagement opportunities with our ambassador animals that teach the audience about local and global conservation issues and actions they can take on behalf of wildlife. This leader will be joining at an exciting time, as you will have direct impact and input during our master planning process that will include a new animal holding and presentation space for ambassador animals.
As the Ambassador Animal Area Supervisor you will:
Assist with developing interpretive and guest engagement programming. Ensures programming has a consistent message and content and advances current agency-wide educational initiatives and goals.
May assist other animal areas with this endeavor as well. Assist with developing a new Oregon Zoo Ambassador Animal philosophy
Will be required to lead and develop staff in providing public presentations for zoo guests and other engagement opportunities that inspire conservation action and build understanding of the zoo’s mission to create a better future for wildlife.
Coordinates and monitors operations such as maintenance and repair activities, exhibit design, safety training, writing and updating standard operating procedures, to ensure proper care, health, maintenance and safety of animals, their quarters and facilities; attempts to resolve problems that arise in these areas.
Responsible for administrative functions including scheduling; timekeeping; repair work orders; and the ordering, receipt and distribution of materials, supplies and food items. Analyzes and evaluates data; creates reports; evaluates programs, policies and proposals to identify potential impact; and recommends a course of action.
Under direction of the Curator, will supervise and provide leadership support to zoo staff which would include but not limited to; annual performance evaluations/performance objectives, discipline, needed training and other measures to make the team more successful.
Assists marketing and development staff in promoting the zoo’s public image and achieving the zoo’s public relations and community service objectives.
Collaborate with other internal stakeholders to create, maintain, or provide guidance on Zoo- wide initiatives
Support other fellow Area Supervisors and Curators on scheduling, staffing, committee leadership, and special projects.
Assists curatorial staff in maintaining contacts with individuals and organizations involved in promoting worldwide conservation ethics and goals.
Attain and maintain membership of the zoo’s Critical Response Team. Ability to become qualified as a shooter on the Emergency Firearm Team preferred.
Attributes for success:
Knowledge of the care, feeding, animal behavior and hazards of working with a variety of taxonomic groups, including birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates
Knowledge of and experience with wide-ranging animal training techniques including free- flight, desensitization, “A to B etc.” for on-grounds guest engagement presentations Knowledge of interpretation and guest engagement with live animals
Knowledge of script creation and public speaking
Knowledge and experience with current best practices in regards to ambassador animal programs
Knowledge of animal diseases and methods of preventing the spread of contagious disease, and principles of biology and zoology
Effective supervisory skills
Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions
Ability to collaborate effectively with peers, professional colleagues, zoo partners, and the public
Diversity and inclusion: At Metro, we’re committed to hiring a workforce representative of the communities we serve, recognizing that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We invest in employees by supporting equitable and inclusive hiring practices, employee policies and training programs.
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
Minimum qualifications:
A minimum of three years of progressive experience working with ambassador animals AND
Bachelor’s degree in a related field OR
We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Required:
Valid Driver’s license
Evening and weekend work
COVID-19 vaccination requirement:
Metro is committed to ensuring the health and safety for our employees and our community. As a part of this commitment, Metro has implemented a vaccine requirement policy for employees, paid and unpaid interns and volunteers.
Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is considered a minimum qualification requirement for Metro job applicants. This proof will be requested during the hiring process.
If you require an accommodation under this policy for a medical condition or disability, or sincerely held religious belief, please email benefits.help@oregonmetro.gov.
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:
If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
Like to have qualifications:
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.
Prior supervisory experience.
At least two years of experience working in an AZA-accredited facility.
Experience developing programs/educational opportunities both large scale and small
Understand best practices for education interpreting and be able to incorporate it into our program including age-appropriate messaging and adapting interpretation to specific audiences
COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATION
Based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements, Metro’s internal equity review process, and the candidates’ qualifications, the appointment will typically be made between $74,459.00 and $82,000.00 annually. The full-salary range for this position is $74,459.00 – $103,497.00 annually.
This position is not eligible for overtime, and is not represented by a union. It is classified as Program Supervisor I (Download PDF reader). Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.
SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The application packet:The application packet consists of the following documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.
A completed online application
Responses to supplemental questions
The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.
Initial review of minimum qualifications
In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
Consideration of top candidates/interviews
Testing/assessments (if applicable)
Reference check
Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)
Questions?
Recruiter: Megan Warneke
Email: megan.warneke@oregonmetro.gov
Additional Information
COVID-19 safety: The health and safety of our employees and community is a top priority for Metro. Employees will be required to follow all Metro COVID-related policies and procedures, which may meet or exceed guidelines set forth by the CDC, Oregon Health Authority, and other federal, state and local jurisdictions. Learn more at oregonmetro.gov/COVID-19.
Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570.
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-797-1570.
Pay equity at Metro: Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): Unless otherwise stated in a collective bargaining agreement, Metro pays both the employee and employer portion of PERS contributions for eligible employees.
Veterans’ preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans’ preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans’ preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Education and Pre-requisites
Not specified.
Compensation and benefits
Not specified.
Application instructions
Not specified.