Facility

Birmingham Zoo, Inc.

Closing Date

Description

Job Summary:
The Elephant Manager will be directly responsible for the daily oversight of an all-male elephant herd to ensure compliance and excellent standards of elephant care and management.
The Elephant Manager will also be responsible for preparing and maintaining records for all aspects of elephant management. Supervises, trains, monitors, and mentors staff as well as participates in the care of elephants to meet the long-term goals of Birmingham Zoo, Inc. (BZI) elephant programs. The elephant manager will also oversee a white rhino breeding program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Responsible for implementing the daily husbandry, welfare, training, and reproductive program of elephants and rhinos.
• Oversees behavioral management of elephants through observations and interactions with the elephants. Discusses plans and goals for the behavioral management with the VP of Living Collections.
• Responsible for modeling and mentoring a positive reinforcement training program.
• Coordinates and manages animals for transfer to and from BZI.
• Ensures safety of elephants, staff, and public in all spaces.
• Observes and monitors the health of animals in area.
• Inspects and monitors food preparation and storage areas for safety and cleanliness.
• Prepares and maintains records of all aspects of animal management; records daily behavior, breeding behavior, capture and restraint, routine and non-routine medical procedures, etc.
• Confers with the Veterinarians regarding the health and preventative medicine programs.
• Responsible for creating an environment where animals are given the greatest opportunity to exhibit natural behaviors.
• Responsible for creating and maintaining a goal-oriented enrichment program for elephants that promotes enhanced psychological and physical health.
• Develops and maintains protocols and elephant program to meet and exceed the AZA Standards for Elephant Management and Care and USDA standards.
• Documents all training and enrichment related items to show measurable outcomes.
• Works with animals on a one-to-one basis such as bathing, collecting blood, cleaning feet, and other management behaviors.
• Keeps current with elephant/animal research to include scientific journals. Corresponds with other institutions and private specialists on developments in elephant, rhino, and general animal care.
• Supervises and monitors the work of employees involved in the care and maintenance of the elephants and rhinos, providing both oral and written instructions.
• Establishes plans to mentor and develop employees for professional growth.
• Plans, schedules and assigns work to staff; establishes priorities; instructs and trains in correct methods; checks and approves work; reviews; mentors and evaluates employee performance.
• Responsible for the development, implementation and communication with others regarding all aspects of the elephant program.
• Presents animal talks to the Zoo visitors, as well as representing the Zoo in the media and other public presentations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Pre-requisites

Minimum qualifications (Special skills, knowledge, ability, education, etc.):
• High School diploma required; Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife management/science or a related field preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of natural history and management of elephants in a zoo setting.
• Minimum of five (5) years increasing responsible experience in the care, training, handling and breeding of elephants. Experience with male elephants preferred.
• Three (3) years supervisory/management experience
• Completion of AZA Principles of Elephant Management Course I & II required.
• Must have a current valid driver’s license with no prior traffic violations (within the last five years).
• Excellent elephant handling abilities; strong leadership and partnering skills; ability to operate as a member of a diverse team, strong organizational and time management skills, problem-solving skills, and proven ability to successfully develop and implement a keeper training program and operant conditioning training program for the elephants.
• Must have ability to foster teamwork within and across teams.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills including Word, Excel, Microsoft Office.
• Must provide documentation of current, negative TB test within the last year.

Compensation and benefits

Not specified.

Application instructions

Please apply online at www.birminghamzoo.com, click About Us, and Employment.