Facility
Ellen Trout Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Ellen Trout Zoo is owned operated by the City of Lufkin, Texas and is the premier zoological facility in Deep East Texas, having been accredited by the AZA for over 40 years. The Ellen Trout Zoo serves as an integral part of the community of Lufkin, in the areas of education, recreation, and conservation. The Zoo has 25 acres of developed campus and over 100 Acres for future development. Currently, the zoo houses approximately 1000 animals.
The Ellen Trout Zoo’s annual attendance is 120,000 – 155, 000 visitors from East Texas, Southeast Texas and Western Louisiana.
The Ellen Trout Zoo is looking for a positive individual who is passionate and committed to lead a team through mentorship, motivation, and inspiration.
This position manages two areas of the Zoo: our Animal Care Team and our Facilities Team.
This position will serve under the direction of the Zoo Director as part of the Zoo’s dynamic, kind, passionate and expert Animal Care team.
We are seeking candidates with significant experience in the direct care of wild animals. The candidate needs to have a strong managerial background. Must be well-versed in animal care and safety protocols and lead by example. Skill in active listening and strong written and oral communication skills are a must.
Responsible for long-term planning and vision, as well as the day-to-day operational management of the Animal Care and Facilities team members, the animals under their care, and the facilities and habitats in which they live.
Candidates should demonstrate a leadership style that fosters an atmosphere of inclusion, teamwork, and safety, and promotes the Zoo’s core values (Integrity, Accountability, Teamwork, Ethics, Innovation, Diversity and Communication). Ability to collaborate is a must, such as working closely with the veterinary, education and other zoo teams to provide the best animal welfare and contribute to conservation efforts. Should show experience in and be committed to assessing and improving animal well-being, through training, enrichment, social management, professional development and other approaches. In addition, this leadership position plays an important role in the Ellen Trout Zoo’s goal to create a memorable guest experience and to connect our community with our mission, animal care, wildlife and wild places.
Principal Responsibilities:
Perform in a leadership role, coordinate, manage, and be available to the animal care staff in the professional best practices of animal management. Approachable advocate for both Zoo Director and subordinates to help ensure a healthy relationship between senior management and subordinates.
Is responsible for meeting and exceeding the current and future USDA Animal Welfare Act standards AZA accreditation standards and sees future trends in the Zoo field.
Must be an accomplished communicator – both verbally and in writing. Responds quickly with beneficial information and direction. Knows what information is appropriate to share with who and when.
Provide leadership in hiring, training, and management of Animal and Facility Departments staff. Be present and available to Zoo staff.
Collaborate in training staff in animal husbandry techniques and handling of dangerous animals, enrichment programs, behavioral training strategies, and wellness assessments.
Oversee the scheduling and training of the Emergency Animal Recapture Team.
Participates in “Ride out” Teams in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster
Provides expertise to Collection Planning and implementation. Serves as a liaison with SSPs, TAGs, PMPs, SAFE, PMC, Consortiums and local conservation initiatives.
Provides input into the budget preparation for the Zoo as it relates to the City of Lufkin, Texas municipal guidelines.
Communicate and actively collaborate with other departments that interact regularly with the Animal Department (e.g. Education, Veterinarian, Maintenance, and Friends of Ellen Trout Zoo).
Participate as a member of exhibit design teams (new and upgrades to existing exhibits) to ensure that proposed animal facility designs meet animal and staff requirements.
Review staff performance consistently to assure that established husbandry standards are met. Develops individualized plans to help meet these standards.
Actively support, advance, and uphold the City of Lufkin, Texas policies regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Represent Ellen Trout Zoo in a professional manner, establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with employees, colleagues, City of Lufkin departments, governmental agencies, outside contractors and the general public.
Must be resourceful and able to work well in stressful, high pressure situations.
All Ellen Trout Zoo staff maybe called to perform facility and exhibit maintenance, including but not limited to, trash and debris removal, floor cleaning, painting, building repair, horticultural duties, etc.
Other duties may be assigned in keeping with the mission of the City of Lufkin and the Ellen Trout Zoo.
Education and Pre-requisites
Professional Requirements:
Degree with a major in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science or related field from a recognized college or university and 5 years of relevant supervisory experience at an accredited facility.
Demonstrate knowledge of the operation of a zoo, aquarium, or similar public facility as well as a willingness to learn new skills in Zoo/aquarium management and leadership. Some experience may be considered in lieu of education on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Zoo Director with the City of Lufkin Human Resources department.
Working knowledge of AZA Accreditation Standards and USDA Animal Welfare Standards.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite software and ZIMS Animal Record Keeping System is preferred.
Professional Fellow membership (in good standing) in the AZA.
Must maintain a valid Texas driver’s license
Fluent in Spanish is a plus but not required.
Environmental Working Requirements:
This position may require working evenings, weekends, and Holidays.
This position requires working in an office setting as well as outdoors in all weather conditions.
Position requires standing, stooping, sitting, twisting, walking, and lifting (up to 50-75 pounds).
Attendance at staff meetings and Collection Managers meetings are required unless excused in advance.
Candidate must maintain regular attendance in compliance with City of Lufkin/Ellen Trout Zoo standards, as required by scheduling which may vary according to the needs of the organization
Compensation and benefits
Benefits:
Health Insurance; Vacation (Holidays roll into vacation for Zoo employees); Sick Leave; Retirement; Longevity Pay; Bereavement Leave; Tuition Reimbursement; Employee Health Clinic; Employee Assistance Program; Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance; and Long-Term Disability. Details can be found on the City of Lufkin website.
Salary: $65,000.00 per year.
Application instructions
How to Apply
If interested, apply at:
https://www.cityoflufkin.com/jobs/?fbclid=IwAR3KFlsdwaLeTjhC_pO-q4CJlbb2r3UOLFbyzYoxD6sODvefXd2VFJNYfWI
Submit cover letter and resume along with application.
Ellen Trout Zoo, City of Lufkin
Lufkin, Texas