Facility
Buffalo Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Buffalo Zoo seeks a progressive and driven individual to serve as our General Curator. The ideal candidate will possess the skills and experience to lead a dynamic animal management department into the future, emphasizing implementation of the highest standards of animal welfare and guest experience in order to achieve the Buffalo Zoo’s mission. We seek someone who has excellent team leadership skills both within and across the animal department. This individual will work closely with Zoo leadership staff on continuing to develop and implement a bright future for the Buffalo Zoo.
Reporting to the Chief Conservation Officer, the General Curator is specifically responsible for providing tactical leadership to the Animal Department including planning, organizing, coordinating and managing the operation and maintenance of the Zoo’s animal collection. This individual also serves as a member of the Zoo’s senior management team and assists in developing and implementing the Zoo’s strategic plan and mission. In addition to leading the animal collection team, the General Curator administers and develops animal welfare and exhibit programs, and works closely with other zoo departments to assure excellence in guest experience. This individual is responsible for continuously monitoring and analyzing animal department functions and making decisions and recommendations regarding those functions. The General Curator is also responsible for budget development and management for the animal department.
Essential Functions:
• Primary accountability for specific functions and results. The list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented or changed as necessary.
• Oversees the health and welfare of the Zoo’s animal collection including the acquisition and disposition of animals, leads and/or oversees animal care personnel allocation and work activities, and the resolution of animal maintenance, exhibit, safety and other operations issues.
• Oversees the supervision of the Animal Department including hiring, resolution of performance issues, performance evaluation, and providing on-going opportunity for professional development and enrichment.
• Directs the development and implementation of administrative systems for animal collection record keeping, departmental inventory management, safety requirements and annual reporting.
• Develops a short term annual plan and long range strategic plan for the development of the animal collection and exhibit refurbishment and assists in the establishment of research/conservation goals designed to maintain a zoologically significant, AZA accredited animal collection.
• Maintains a diversified animal collection through purchase, trade or negotiation of breeding loans.
• Assists with design of new exhibits and holding areas in accordance with USDA requirements, modern zoological practices and AZA standards and guidelines.
• Prepares an annual departmental budget and maintains a thorough understanding of budgetary resources allocated to the Animal Department.
• Represents the department at senior staff meetings, animal management meetings, animal welfare committee meetings, Board of Directors meetings and other in-house and external functions including professional association meetings.
• Establishes, updates and maintains consistent application of department policies and procedures.
• Keeps abreast of current field informational resources and implements change where beneficial to departmental goals.
• Leads safety related initiatives as it relates to maintaining a safe environment for animals and animal staff.
• Manages, trains and leads in the alleviation of animal related emergency situations including but not limited to animal escapes, venomous reptile bites, after hours’ emergencies.
• Responsible for oversight of training and coordination of the Zoo’s weapons team.
• Routinely inspects animal care and exhibit facilities to ensure that all standards are being met as it relates to animal welfare, exhibitry and staff safety.
• Works closely with the Zoo’s veterinary staff on ongoing and preventative care of the animal collection.
• Works closely with the Zoo’s veterinary staff on development and maintenance of the Zoo’s animal nutrition program.
• Provides leadership for all aspects of animal training and behavioral enrichment activities.
• Actively participates as requested in federal, state, local and AZA related committees.
• Performs related work as required.
Education and Pre-requisites
To perform at a proficient level and be fully qualified, a person would expect to have:
Education (Minimum Needed):
Four year degree in one of the natural sciences or a closely related field or equivalent specialized training. Advanced degree preferred.
• Advanced formal or independent work in the fields directly related to exotic animal husbandry, display, research, etc.
Experience (Minimum Needed):
• Five years’ supervisory experience in an accredited AZA institution (preferably an upper management position).
• Diversified experience and demonstrated knowledge of husbandry and management of an exotic animal collection.
Special Skills:
• Working knowledge of personal computers and software applications preferred.
• Experience with physical restraint equipment, vehicles and related maintenance equipment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be open to change and possess the ability to adapt on a moment’s notice, maintain composure and provide leadership in stressful situations.
• Must be able to work across subject matter areas both within the animal department and outside the department.
• Self-motivated, driven to succeed. Able to multi-task.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinate personnel, other employees and the general public.
• Capacity and ability to think ahead and plan over a multi-year time frame.
Other:
• Curator must be on 24-hour call. May be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
• TB Test conducted annually.
• Must be able to work in extreme weather conditions and be physically able to carry out the duties of the position.
• Must possess or be able to obtain within 30-days of employment a valid New York State driver’s license and have an average or better driving record based on the evaluation process of our insurance company. Retention of position is contingent upon maintaining required license. Must upgrade to classification appropriate to requirements (non-CDLC or CDL class).
Compensation and benefits
Salary is commensurate with experience. The Buffalo Zoo offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, dental, life insurance, retirement (403b), vacation, holiday and sick leave. Equal Opportunity Employer. Exempt Position.
Application instructions
To apply, please send resume and cover letter in Word document or PDF by email to: buffalozoojobs@buffalozoo.org by December 31, 2017. No telephone calls please. For more information about the Buffalo Zoo, please visit our website: http://www.buffalozoo.org