Closing Date: 08/15/2019
Facility: The Hattiesburg Zoo
Description:
JOB DESCRIPTION: Animal Curator

DEPARTMENT: Zoo

LOCATION: The Hattiesburg Zoo is home to almost 100 species of animals across various taxa. An ever-expanding presence, the zoo has become a staple of the community as both a place of entertainment and education.

Hattiesburg, Mississippi (The Hub City) is both a retirement and thriving college town; located in close proximity to New Orleans, LA, Mobile, AL, Jackson, MS and Gulfport, MS providing endless activities for all ages. The low cost of living and close community provide for great opportunities to both families and individuals.

SHIFT: Full-Time

REPORT TO: Director of Conservation, Education, and Wildlife

SUMMARY: The role of the Animal Curator is to ensure the well-being of the collection of animals at the Hattiesburg Zoo, while creating a path for future expansion. This individual will ensure that appropriate standards are being met or exceeded throughout the Wildlife sector. This includes modeling Wildlife operations after best practices of the AZA, WAZA, AAZK, USDA, USFWS and other relevant organizations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Plan, organize, direct and oversee all operations of zoological areas including wildlife care and management, exhibit presentation, improvements and development.
• Provides for and supervises the husbandry of all animals in the collection according to the best available methods in animal care, nutrition and medical treatment.
• Monitors the care of animals; establishes the composition of the collection; establishes husbandry standards, which meet or exceed accrediting institution standards; oversees or maintains animal record systems; may perform some direct, hands-on animal care work; may participate in animal physicals and research projects.
• Knowledge of AZA accreditation, principals, ethics and practices.
• Works with the Veterinarian to oversee and participate in the animal medical care program.
• Monitors animal transactions to assure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of annual budget process and ability to manage departmental budget.
• Assures compliance with federal, state and local regulations regarding the acquisition, disposition, health and shipment of animal specimens.
• Provides for the acquisition and disposition of animals in accordance to the approved collection plan.
• Coordination of all ZIMS activities of the Zoo.
• Insures that all work areas are clean, safe and always in compliance with USDA exhibitor’s licenses as defined under the Animal Welfare Act.
• Prepares written and oral reports as needed.
• Supervises 10+ Wildlife Management staff and departmentally associated volunteers, interns and students.
• Ability to interview, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints and resolve problems.
• Attends and organizes meetings according to assigned duties.
• Maintains contact with and participates in professional organizations, conservation programs, governmental and nongovernmental agencies, the public and other related/interested parties.
• Provides for and supervises the development and operation of the animal training program and animal enrichment programs, which emphasize husbandry and natural behaviors.
• Continually strives to build a collaborative and empowered team, by providing supervision, training and mentoring.
• Responsible for assigning job related tasks and schedules for the department.
• Plans for and implements exhibits that will provide the highest possible level of visitor education and enjoyment, under the direction of the Director of Conservation, Education, and Wildlife.