Curator of Children’s Zoo & Animal Resource Center

Facility

San Francisco Zoo and Gardens

Closing Date

[jobclosingdate]

Description

SUMMARY: The Fisher Family Children’s Zoo is a six-acre park within a park offering up-close experiences and personal animal encounters. The facility includes the Meerkat & Prairie Dog Exhibit, the Family Farm, Nature Trail, Red Panda Exhibit, and the Koret Animal Resource Center (ARC). The Animal Resource Center focuses on program animal outreach; this working facility not only educates the public, but trains and inspires teens and volunteers.

The Curator of Children’s Zoo and Animal Resource Center coordinates and supervises the employees and volunteers of the Children’s Zoo and Animal Resource Center (ARC) and manages animal collections within those departments by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Supervises and evaluates the keeper and assistant curator staff.
2. Hires and oversees training and supervision of interns.
3. Coordinates veterinary procedures within the section.
4. Coordinates maintenance and horticultural work within the section.
5. Prepares and maintains reports and records pertaining to the collection and sectional programs.
6. Maintains and improves animal husbandry standards within the section, with a focus on the institutional Wellness Initiative.
7. Initiates the acquisition and disposition of animals within the section.
8. Ensures compliance with USDA, CAL-OSHA and other regulations and programs, including meetings and record keeping.
9. Plans and implements special projects, minor renovations, and improvements in the section.
10. Assists in the planning and development of major exhibits.
11. Assists, prepares and manages the Departmental budget.
12. Prepares keeper staff for public presentations and keeper talks.
13. Participates in public relations efforts.
14. Performs staff work as required.
15. Coordinates and works with other departments to develop educational programs, publicity, graphics, and other support services for the Section.

16. Participates in staff planning and implementation of activities in public relations, membership, development, and education.
17. Prepares and approves weekly timesheets and oversees payroll data entry.
18. Interacts with Zoo visitors courteously and offers proper attention at all times.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Manages two subordinate assistant curators who supervise employees and interns in the ARC. The curator is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit and also directly supervises non-supervisory employees and interns. The curator carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies, applicable laws, and relevant labor laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; ensuring compliance with CBA.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: The San Francisco Zoo encourages bilingual candidates to apply.

EDUCATION: Degree in zoology, biology, wildlife management, or related field preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum five years paid experience in animal husbandry and captive animal management. Three years supervisory and curatorial experience in a major zoological institution is strongly preferred. Significant lead experience may substitute for supervisory and curatorial experience. Knowledge and experience in current trends in interactive visitor exhibits and program animals is highly preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals is required. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to potentially hazardous animals.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Apply via our web site at www.sfzoo.org. Please include a cover letter detailing your experience as it relates to this position. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment

Education and Pre-requisites

Not specified.

Compensation and benefits