Facility

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Closing Date

Description

General Purpose

This position oversees the daily operation of animals in the Sea Lion Cove section. Responsibilities include meeting all husbandry standards ensuring that policies and protocols for FCZ, AZA, USDA and other federal agencies are consistently followed. Manages all staff’s daily activities in the care, display and propagation of assigned area. This position will regularly interact with Zoo guests to answer questions, provide animal information, and ensure an excellent guest experience. This position will primarily be assigned to a specific animal team but may be reassigned or requested to work in other sections as needed at the discretion of the Animal Management team.

This position is responsible for the daily care, feeding and enrichment of animals in the Sea Lion Cove section which cares for a group of California sea lions, Harbor seals, Giant anteater, Capybara, Ring-tailed lemurs, and the critically endangered Red wolf. This animal care team prioritizes animal training and welfare and is looking for an individual who can manage in a fast-paced team environment and displays effective communication and organization skills with previous pinniped experience. Duties include maintaining husbandry standards, growing training programs, training of new staff, acting as a liaison between the curator and the team, and ensuring zoo policies are followed.

Essential Functions

• Performs all zookeeper essential functions as needed.
• Establishes thorough written routines for assigned section and updates standard operating procedures as well as other section protocols as required.
• Regularly inspects and observes assigned collection for overall health and wellbeing.
• Facilitates effective communication between the Curator and Zookeeper staff.
• Ensures that zoo news, department updates, and other information is provided in a timely manner to the appropriate parties.
• Communication liaison for staff animal needs to all other departments, i.e., veterinarian, horticulture, and maintenance.
• Works with Curator to develop animal collection plans for area assigned.
• Works with Curator to develop new exhibits, holdings, or renovations as needed
• Participates in the selection and training of new zookeeper staff.
• Assists in planning and implementing marketing activities.
• Oversees Zookeeper staff performance by providing performance evaluations, informal feedback, and formal disciplinary action when appropriate while informing Curator of serious or ongoing issues.
• Oversees any volunteers’ activities in assigned areas.
• Answers specific inquiries from the public concerning the zoological collection when requested
• Assists the Security staff with the emergency procedures and protocols and fulfills Recapture Coordinator role.
• Participates in the implementation of the FCZ welfare program under the direction of Curator and completes animal welfare assessments as assigned and guides the team in problem solving welfare concerns.
• Assists in coordinating animal shipments as directed by Curator.
• Assists Veterinary staff with animal health management, when requested.
• Performs other duties, assignments, and projects as requested and assists with other shifts as needed.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Develops behavior enrichment and training programs for selected animals.
• Addresses animal and/or employee issues as they arise, provides a status/progress report to the Curator(s), and requests guidance from Curator or other member of management as warranted by the situation.
• Ensures efficient and effective workflow, making appropriate logistical decisions and planning for current and future department needs, including assisting with intradepartmental scheduling.
• Provides training, mentoring, and coaching to Zookeepers, Intern staff, ensuring the training is consistent with current position needs and cross functional opportunities. Regularly coaches and develops staff to foster a positive and team-oriented work environment.
• Monitors safe work practices for all section staff.
• Manages payroll for direct reports and oversees the implementation of wage and hour regulations.
• Manages the schedules for all direct reports and oversees the implementation of appropriate regulations.
• Assists Curator in developing and updating area protocols and represents the Curator in their absence.

Management Accountabilities

• Customarily and regularly exercises discretion and independent judgement.
• Leads through connecting individual and team skills and passions with organizational needs.
• Effectively solves problems and learns from mistakes.
• Employs teamwork, when appropriate, to find solutions.
• Reports to meetings and activities on time, engaged, and prepared. Conducts productive team meetings and facilitates discussions
• Prioritizes tasks in order to be respectful of others’ time.
• Respond to emails and other communications within 2 business days.
• All written communication contains professional and proper language
• Demonstrates follow through.
• Accountable for team leadership and management.
• Actively creates connections that encourage open and honest communication with all.
• Provides regular performance feedback and coaching to reporting staff.
• Completes timely and appropriate written evaluations that highlight strengths and areas for improvement.

Education and Pre-requisites

Qualifications/ Minimum Job Requirements

• Associates degree or Teaching College Certificate from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum (5) years’ related experience in an AZA-accredited facility preferred.
• Strong verbal and written English skills and the ability to communicate effectively with the public. Bilingual skills a plus.
• Valid California driver’s license and good driving record may be required.
• Ability to work evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements

These are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed. Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, the Zoo may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.
• Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading. Color perception is also required.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken information to others in small and large group settings.
• Hand and finger dexterity sufficient for typing and other administrative tasks.
• The employee is regularly required to lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment
• This position regularly works with others including Zoo executives and employees, Zoo guests and community members, media and government officials.
• The position primarily functions outdoors, with frequent exposure to outdoor Zoo environments and external events.
• The employee is regularly exposed to a variety of animals with risk of animal bites (including venomous), zoonotic disease, and other animal-related injury.
• Regular local travel and occasional out-of-town travel required.

Compensation and benefits

Our comprehensive compensation package includes Medical/Dental/Vision, Employee Assistance Program, 401k, 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick and Paid Vacation time on an accrued basis. The minimum pay for this position is $24.35 /hr. Offers will be based on the successful candidate’s experience.

Application instructions

https://www.fresnochaffeezoo.org/careers/