Job Postings

Curator, Children’s Zoo

Facility

Houston Zoo

Closing Date
June 6, 2018
Description

Our Mission: Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.
Our Vision: Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.

The Houston Zoo is seeking an experienced and energetic individual to fill the position of Curator of the Children’s Zoo. Knowledge of a wide variety of taxa is required as this section includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and fish. In addition to the animal exhibits, the Children’s Zoo also encompasses a goat petting area, a Swap Shop where nature items are traded according to a point system, and an off-exhibit ambassador animal building with a diverse collection of animals from domestics to exotics used for educational presentations and special events.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provides functional supervision, operational assistance, and technical guidance for Assistant Curators and Zoo Supervisors 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

Handles and proficient in the use of firearms and capture equipment in the event of an animal emergency

Maintains qualified firearms status

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

Monitors and assesses animal health, care and welfare on a systematic schedule

ABOUT HOUSTON ZOO
The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.

Education and Pre-requisites

Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology, animal husbandry, or related field is required; or equivalent experience in lieu of up to two years of formal education

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, organizational and communication skills.

Effectively partner with other departments and all levels of staff and interact with a diverse workforce

Experience with budget development and monitoring

Valid Texas driver’s license

Compensation and benefits

Not specified.

Application instructions

Join the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities. Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants can visit www.houstonzoo.org/careers to download an application
E-mail resume and completed application to careers@houstonzoo.org