Facility

Arizona Game and Fish Dept (Phoenix)

Closing Date

Description

The mission of the Arizona Game & Fish Department is to conserve Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations. It is our vision to be the national conservation leader supporting the continuation of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and Arizona’s most trusted, respected and credible source for wildlife conservation products, services and information.
Arizona Game and Fish Department is currently seeking a Curator to join our dynamic wildlife conservation education team. This role plays an integral part in ensuring our husbandry and animal behavior management practices are upheld to the highest standards while still supporting the guest experience. The ideal candidate will be an experienced, driven, engaging, curator who thrives in a visionary role with broad responsibilities, rapid shifts in priorities and excels at project management and problem solving. The preferred candidate must be a collaborative team player that understands the intricacies of providing a world class guest experience while still ensuring the health and safety of the wildlife in our care.
Job Summary: Major responsibilities will include:
• Project and facility management which includes assisting with the development of the animal collection and master plan for the Center and the coordination and oversight of contractors and designers completing construction and maintenance projects
• Budget and scheduling
• Design and fabrication of animal, habitat and education exhibits, enclosures and public engagement spaces)
• Oversees and develops animal husbandry, training and handling policies and procedures which includes managing the Department’s non-releasable live wildlife collection and assures all collection operations comply with established protocols, professional standards and governmental regulations,)
• Manages wildlife education and community outreach programs by creating and implementing community programs including, but not limited to, camps, classes, professional development, training, outreach programs and events
• This position oversees and supervises a team of animal care and education staff, interns and volunteers. May serve as the Education Branch Chief when necessary and performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Pre-requisites

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
The preferred candidate will have at least 5 years of experience managing a collection of live wildlife, supervising animal care and education staff, live wildlife exhibit and enclosure design experience, handling live wildlife used in educational programs and a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Zoology or related field.
The candidate will have knowledge of/in: wildlife conservation, familiarity with native wildlife of Arizona, basic knowledge of wildlife, ecology, biology and other sciences required for the preparation and presentation of educational programs, captivity standards, animal husbandry techniques, federal, state and all other applicable statutes and laws governing the use of live wildlife in educational programs, live wildlife exhibit and enclosure design, interpretive display design and development that incorporates multiple learning styles, wildlife rehabilitation and licensing, supervision and leadership, and event planning, coordination and management.
The candidate must have skill in: written and verbal communication, strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to constructively manage differences of opinion among diverse internal and external customers, strong presentation skills, expertise in project management, contract negotiations, live wildlife handling, time management, report preparation, budget management, computer skills with a strong, understanding of Google suite of applications and excellent organizational and problems solving skills.
The candidate must be able to design, develop and implement wildlife education programming for formal and informal audiences, maintain the highest level of quality as it relates to the Center’s public and professional image pertaining to animal health, training and husbandry, interpret and follow department operating policies, procedures and directives, multi-task across diverse program areas with changing priorities while managing multiple budgets, facilitate and lead internal and external meetings, use critical thinking to solve complex problems and supervise staff in all aspects of their job.
A Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card will be required. Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.).
All newly hired employees will be subject to the E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification program. Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

Compensation and benefits

IER DIVISION / EDUCATION / PHOENIX, AZ BASED
FLSA-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 22 (hiring salary range $43,239.66 – $70,000)
The State of Arizona offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package including:
* 13 days’ vacation
* 12 sick days
* 10 paid holidays
* Participation in the nationally recognized Arizona State Retirement System
* Superior health care options
* Vision care, dental care, pharmacy benefits, and flexible spending account (options available)
* Life, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance options are available
* Many more benefit programs are available

Application instructions

TO APPLY CLICK AZSTATEJOBS.GOV
CLICK SEARCH FOR JOBS, SELECT GAME AND FISH DEPT FROM AGENCY DROPDOWN
Direct link: https://azstatejobs.azdoa.gov/ltmprod/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=2I83