Company Overview
[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]
Role Overview
Lead the daily welfare, enrichment, and operant-conditioning programs for a multi-taxa collection of exotic mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians while mentoring keeper staff, coordinating veterinary care, and driving evidence-based husbandry improvements. You will manage Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding protocols, design habitat modifications in Autodesk Revit, and analyze behavioral data in ZIMS to ensure every animal thrives under AZA and EAZA best-practice standards.
Responsibilities
- Direct a team of 4–6 keepers, scheduling shifts, approving SOP updates, and conducting quarterly performance reviews tied to measurable welfare KPIs
- Oversee operant-conditioning sessions using positive reinforcement; maintain detailed training logs in Species360 and adjust shaping plans to hit target behaviors for medical procedures and public demonstrations
- Design and implement species-appropriate enrichment schedules, rotating items weekly and documenting efficacy via behavioral time-budget analysis
- Coordinate preventative, routine, and emergency veterinary care, serving as primary liaison with the veterinary team for anesthesia, radiography, and treatment plans
- Manage SSP breeding loans, genetic pairings, neonate hand-rearing protocols, and associated permits (CITES, USFWS, ESA)
- Lead incident investigations, complete root-cause analyses, and present corrective-action reports to the Curator within 24 hours of any safety or welfare event
- Negotiate with horticulture and maintenance departments for habitat renovations, ensuring compliance with USDA, OSHA, and AZA accreditation standards
- Deliver engaging public talks, behind-the-scenes tours, and digital content to advance conservation messaging and donor engagement
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology, animal science, or related field
- 5+ years paid experience caring for exotic species in an AZA/EAZA-accredited facility
- Proven leadership: minimum 2 years supervising or mentoring junior staff or volunteers
- Demonstrated expertise in operant conditioning and enrichment design with large carnivores, ungulates, or psittacines
- Proficiency with ZIMS (or equivalent animal records software), Microsoft Excel pivot tables, and basic data visualization
- Physical ability to lift 50 lbs, work in extreme weather, and maintain SCUBA or elevated-work certifications as needed
- Current valid driver’s license and eligibility for institutional motor-vehicle authorization
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree or post-graduate certificate in zoo and aquarium science, conservation biology, or animal welfare
- Experience managing SSP or EEP programs, including studbook analysis using PMx or PopLink
- Knowledge of habitat CAD software (Revit, SketchUp) and construction project oversight
- Certification through the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) or International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE)
- Conversational Spanish or other second language for multicultural team collaboration
Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies
- ZIMS, MedARKS, Tracks, or comparable ZIMS-med integration
- Operant-conditioning tools: target poles, whistles, clickers, feed shutes, shift doors
- Remote monitoring: camera traps, RFID PIT tag readers, accelerometers
- Environmental data loggers (HOBO, Onset) and basic statistical analysis in R or Python
- Hardware: hypodermic needles, blow pipes, squeeze cages, hydraulic chutes, darting equipment
- Software: Excel, Power BI, Asana, Slack, and institutional CMMS for work-order tracking
Soft Skills and Cultural Fit
- Collaborative mindset—comfortable leading cross-departmental meetings with vets, maintenance, education, and horticulture
- High emotional intelligence when coaching diverse teams and interacting with guests of all ages
- Resilient under pressure; makes evidence-based decisions during animal emergencies or facility failures
- Commitment to continuous improvement—actively seeks peer-reviewed literature and conference workshops to refine husbandry practices
- Passionate storyteller who connects visitors to conservation action and inspires donor support
Benefits and Perks
Salary range: [$SALARY_RANGE] commensurate with experience
- 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision for employee; 75% for dependents
- 401(k) with 6% match after 90 days; immediate vesting
- 20 PTO days, 10 paid holidays, and 3 paid conservation leave days for field work
- Professional-development stipend of $2,000/year for conferences, certifications, or language courses
- On-site wellness clinic, mental-health support, and complimentary family zoo membership
- Uniform allowance and pro-deal discounts with outdoor gear retailers
Equal Opportunity Statement
[$COMPANY_NAME] is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. Candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.
Location
This position is based at [$COMPANY_LOCATION] and requires on-site presence 5 days a week to ensure continuous animal care.
Don’t tick every box? Studies show that under-represented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of the listed criteria. If you’re passionate about animal welfare and conservation leadership, we encourage you to apply and tell us how your unique expertise can advance our mission.