Facility

Gulf Breeze Zoo

Closing Date

Description

The Gulf Breeze Zoo is a 50-acre facility, located just east of Pensacola, Florida. This ZAA-Accredited facility is home to a diverse collection of animals, including hoofed stock ranging in size from small antelope to Nile hippos, white rhinos and giraffe, as well as gorillas, myriad species of smaller primates, large cats and bears, and a wide assortment of birds and reptiles. The facility also operates CP Huntington trains, a gift shop, and food outlets.
– The position entails overseeing all animal departments and completing year end reviews for the animal care department
– Assess animal programs and makes suggestions for improvement
– Oversight of animal collection and animal care staff
– Hiring for animal care department
– Discipline and termination of animal care staff as necessary
– Daily and monthly scheduling of animal care department
– Covers sections as needed
– Completes monthly animal inventory
– Ensures proper daily husbandry and animal care are being provided
– Performs monthly fecal checks on all animals
– Coordinates deworming as needed
– Maintains appropriate diets for animals in the collection
– Maintains up to date diet reference materials for staff
– Completes daily, weekly, and monthly checks of all animals, exhibits and back areas
– Is responsible for euthanasia as needed
– Assists keepers in creating breeding plans for animals in collection
– Monitors all breeding plans to ensure success
– Coordinates and administers all vaccinations
– Performs minor medical procedures as necessary
– Researches animal issues and resolves them accordingly
– Acts as liaison to other animal care facilities to improve husbandry and the collection.
– Improves the animal collection through acquisition and dispositions as approved by the director
– locates and acquires new exhibit animals
– Designs and monitors the building of new animal exhibits
– Write proposals for new animal acquisitions
– Maintains current permits
– Applies for new permits as needed
– Acts as liaison for all governing agencies
– Knows regulations as they pertain to the animal care department and ensures that all regulations are met.

Education and Pre-requisites

Preferred Qualifications:
• Background in animal care, facility management or administration in a zoological setting.
• Show a consistent history of professional growth, along with upper management experience.
• A minimum of 6 years of total experience required.
• Preferred 500+ hours with class 1 animals.
• Experience in restraining, tranquilizing, or immobilizing exotic animals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• A BS or higher degree in one of the animal sciences preferred, although a management or business degree is acceptable.
• Extensive experience within a zoo with management experience may be substituted for a degree.
• The ability to work flexible hours including weekdays, weekends, holidays and evenings as required to effectively delegate and lead the Zoo’s departments.
• Possess strong leadership skills and be adept at decision-making
• Be physically fit enough to be an effective and active member of the facility.

Compensation and benefits

Salary & Benefits:
Excellent salary including paid sick, vacation time, health insurance options, 401k.
To Apply:

Application instructions

Email resumes to the GBZ Director, Jesse Pottebaum: director@gulfbreezezoo.org