Assistant Curator - Dorchester, United States - Zoo New England

Description

Job Description

· Supervise and leads all aspects of animal husbandry and exhibitry in the assigned area, ensuring that shifting, feeding, securing, setting up and cleaning exhibits and adjacent public areas, are completed timely and safely, meeting or exceeding AZA and USDA standards.

· Liaise between upper management, area staff, and other zoo professionals (e.g. registrar, training and wellbeing advisors, coordinator) to ensure successful implementation of welfare, enrichment, operant conditioning programs, animal transfers, and share information regarding operational or procedural changes in the area and/or the zoo.

· Supervise food preparation and feeding, setting specifications and procedures, researching and requesting diet changes based on food intake, behavior, and general appearance.

· Review daily records for accuracy and assists in department record-keeping by maintaining daily keeper log, individual care charts, census forms, enrichment calendars and weekly reports to ensure consistent, professional communications regarding all aspects of the collection's maintenance. Compile reports as needed.

· Liaise with veterinarian staff for the animals in the area. Plan and supervise the crating, capturing and restraint of animals for medical procedures, treatment or transfers using appropriate techniques and equipment.

· Ensure compliance with zoo policies and assist in development and implementation of department/area policies, procedures, presentations, plans and reports.

· Hire, schedule and assign area staff and volunteers, including performance evaluation and management. Foster a culture growth, provide encouragement, coaching, training, mentoring and professional development opportunities.

· Collaborate with Senior management and other departments on research and development of habitat designs and renovation, and identify, submit and prioritize work orders and projects in the area. Liaises with stakeholders including Horticulture, Facilities, Security and contractors to plan work and address animal and staff issues.

· Responsible for the safety of animals and staff in the area, including using and directing the use of a variety of personal safety equipment, oversee safety training, assessing and mitigating hazards. Investigates near misses and incidents and implements solutions.

· Assist in updating and implementing the Collection Plan and support the Curator in overseeing the acquisition, disposition and breeding of area collection.

· Partner and communicate with other departments to support integrated initiatives to help institutional goals. Creates, train others and delivers encounters, tours, chats and other opportunities to positively engage guests.

· Prepares for and helps with emergency response, crisis management, safety drills and participate in safety meetings with fellow department representatives when required.

· Represent the ZNE professional meetings, conferences or in the media as needed. Participates in internal and external committees, task forces and AZA TAGs and programs.

· May be assigned to work in any area of either zoo and perform related work as required and/or assigned.

Physical & Mental Demands

· Regularly moves about on foot from one animal area to another and sits for long periods of time.

· Occasionally raises/lowers, transports, and positions heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds from truck to ground, from ground to barrels or pallets grasping with hands and arms, to maintain food stock and supplies.

· Occasionally hoses, sweeps, scrubs, rakes, shovels, disinfects areas. Reaches, pushes, pulls and throws objects with hands such as to open and close doors/gates, or deliver food stuffs to animals at a distance.

· Occasionally uses good balance to climb, ascend/descend stairs and ladders, works atop rockwork, and traverses uneven or slippery exhibit terrain to clean enclosures and feed animals.

· Regularly stoops, kneels, or crouches to work, such as to clean, feed or observe animals.

· Frequently converses with internal and external stakeholders to exchange accurate information for animal welfare, education and safety purposes. Assess, identify and communicate animal health and welfare concerns and safety issues to appropriate stakeholders.

· Frequently inspects, detects and identifies animal health and welfare concerns and safety issues using, sight (including color identification to see blood in stools), and smell (to detect moldy food stuffs, change in stools, etc).

· Flexibility and adaptability in dealing with high levels of responsibility, empathy, frustration and patience when it comes to the care of animals with basic needs, changes of schedule or responsibilities.

· Resilience and ability to prioritize competing tasks and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

· Ability to maintain positive and productive relationships with others, even when differing perspectives present potential for conflict. Ability to maintain composure and handle difficult situations with professionalism.

· Strong problem-solving skills to analyze issues and find effective solutions and alternatives.

· Critical thinking and decision-making abilities to handle complex situations.

· Empathy and emotional intelligence to understand and respond to the needs of staff, colleagues or customers.

· Ability to cope with and support others dealing with illness, injury, transfer or loss of animals.

Work Conditions

· Work outdoor in various climatic conditions including rain, extreme cold or heat, and humidity.

· Work around loud, moving mechanical parts such as hydraulic doors, fans, pumps, heaters, etc.

· Work in close contact with a variety of animals, with potential for injury. Exposed to animal waste, dander, feathers, hay, dust, allergens and contagious diseases.

· Work around electric fencing, using hand tools, machinery and company vehicles.

· Work in small, confined or cramped spaces

· Handle toxic and/or hazardous materials for cleaning enclosures and medicating animals.

· Work in confined or cramped spaces.

· Work from an elevated position, wet, dirty and uneven surfaces.

· Must be able to take lead role in the absence of higher management level supervisor during emergencies; and cope with high stress situations, e.g., the recapture of escaped animals or emergency assistance to guests as directed.

Minimum Job Requirements

· Bachelor's degree in biology, zoology or related field of study.

· Minimum of 6 years of progressive animal husbandry experience, preferably in an AZA institution, demonstrating knowledge of animal husbandry, enrichment and exhibition for a variety of taxa.

· Minimum of 2 years of experience supervising paid and volunteer staff, and be able to train and coach others.

· Proven knowledge and application of AZA or similar accrediting standards and USDA requirements. Proven ability to enhance the team's knowledge and skills to provide professional animal care.

· Excellent oral and written communication, and proficiency in Microsoft suit and ZIMS.

· TB tested negative within the last 6 months before starting and tested regularly thereafter; fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

· Ability to coordinate with others to provide deliverables on agreed upon deadline, in a fast-paced environment.

· Ability to think critically, forecast and problem solve and demonstrate superior time-management skills.

· Must be physically able to work on their feet or sitting for long periods, lift over 50lbs and perform the duties of an animal keeper on an as-needed basis.

· Must possess a valid drivers' license in good standing and be able to drive a full-size vehicle on public roads.

· Must have the ability to function independently and as a member of a team.

· Must have the ability to work with dangerous animals, chemicals, and around animals with contagious diseases.

· Must have no allergies, diseases, or conditions that would prevent working in any area of the Zoos.

· Must be able to work flexible hours to accommodate operational needs, including weekends, holidays and evenings.

· Must be able to take lead role in the absence of higher management level supervisor during emergencies; and cope with high stress situations, e.g., the recapture of escaped animals or emergency assistance to guests as directed.

· Eligible to acquire a Massachusetts gun license by the end of the 6-month introductory period; may be required to handle and use firearms as a member of the Dangerous Animal Recovery Team (DART).

Zoo New England is an Equal Opportunity Employer by Choice

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